Indiana Falls to Northwestern

Sunday, January 8

Bloomington, Ind.

Noon

Indiana University

10-5,1-3Big Ten

Northwestern

12-3,3-1Big Ten

Northwestern

Indiana

1/8/2023 2:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Jalen Hood-Schifino and Trayce Jackson-Davis had games to remember Sunday afternoon.

The No. 15/19 Indiana Hoosiers did not.

Northwestern (12-3 overall, 3-1 in the Big Ten) used a 25-6 edge in points off turnovers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall en route to an 84-83 victory. It was the Wildcats' first win over a ranked Hoosier team in history. They have won seven of their last eight games, two over ranked teams.

"We've got to keep practicing and working," coach Mike Woodson said. "Nobody is going to feel worry for the Indiana Hoosiers. We have some guys out. The other guys in uniform have to step up and play."

Despite a career-high 33 points from Hood-Schifino and a near triple double from Jackson-Davis, IU lost its second straight game to fall to 10-5 overall, 1-3 in the Big Ten. That followed a 91-89 loss at Iowa Thursday night when it blew an early 21-point lead.

"We have a long way to go," Hood-Schifino said, "but we'll get there."

Added Jackson-Davis: "We have to regroup. "We have to have guys step up. We came out strong at Iowa, but laid an egg here. You can't have that. We have to come out strong. I have to do a better job of leading that."

Specifically, Jackson-Davis added, he has to make sure freshmen such as Malik Reneau and CJ Gunn, and junior Jordan Geronimo, are ready for the challenge.

"I have to talk to them. Some of these guys have not been put in this position before. They've got to learn fast. They have all the physical skills. I have to do a better job of getting them mentally ready to go."

Northwestern built leads as large as 17 in the first half, 13 in the second half. It also was 19-for-28 from the line to the Hoosiers' 10-for-14, although much of that disparity came late with IU had to foul.

"Northwestern played a hell of a game," Woodson said. "It was a dogfight trying to get back, and we could never get back."

This was a big disappointment for a team that began with Big Ten title aspirations. Turning it around, Woodson said, "Ain't rocket science.'

"We have to work harder. (Iowa and Northwestern) worked harder than we did.

"My job is to get them to play harder. That might cure a lot of problems."

Hood-Schifino's 33 points were the most by an IU freshman since Eric Gordon had 33 in 2007. He was 12-for-17 from the field, 5-for-7 on three-pointers. He added three rebounds and three assists. The only negative were his six turnovers.

"He's one of our best players," Jackson-Davis said. "He will have the ball in hands. We need him to make plays. Without him, it could have been a 10- to 15-point game."

Added Hood-Schifino: "We have to stop turning it over. We have to be better with the ball, especially with me."

Jackson-Davis's 24 rebounds were the most by a Hoosier since Steven Downing had 25 in 1971. He added 18 points, eight assists and four blocks. He also altered multiple shots. He played all 40 minutes despite back issues.

As it was against Iowa when he played 38-plus minutes, resting wasn't an option.

"It's the Big Ten," Jackson-Davis said. "I get treatment; I play the games. That's what I do. If I have to play all 40 minutes, I'll play 40. That's what I'm going to do."

Added Woodson: "When you're down 17 and searching, you don't want your best player sitting next to you. He gave us all he had."

Jackson-Davis' performance made a big impression on Hood-Schifino.

"He's giving it to us every night. He played his heart out. Coming up short is tough, but this is a grown-man's league. We have to clean up the little things. Play tougher."

IU was without senior forward Race Thompson, who is sidelined indefinitely with a leg injury suffered at Iowa. Geronimo replaced him in the starting lineup.

Defense that had been so strong last season and early this season has struggled. In its last four games against Power 5 conference teams, IU has given up at least 84 points.

Part of the reason, Woodson said, is the absence of starters Xavier Johnson at point guard and Thompson.

"Two starters are sitting on the sidelines," Woodson said. "That's why we're struggling. I'm reaching to find who will replace that."

Reaching includes playing zone, a big change for a coach known for his man-to-man preference.

"We played more zone today than I've ever played as a coach," Woodson said. "I am trying to change it up.

"We gave up 84 points. You won't beat very many teams in the Big Ten giving up that many."

Northwestern followed the blueprint of recent opponents by straight-line driving, which opened three-point shots, which the Wildcats hit. They were 7-for-19 on three-pointers.

"We were not playing our defense," Jackson-Davis said. "We were not doing our coverages. Coach Woodson had a great game plan and we didn't follow it. When you don't listen to the coaches, it hurts you. They were getting any shot they wanted."

Hood-Schifino carried IU early with seven points, but three Hoosier turnovers – including a pair of Northwestern steals – pushed the Wildcats to a 19-9 lead after six minutes.

That forced Woodson to call a timeout. He replaced Geronimo with Malik Reneau, who quickly scored. Northwestern came right back with its fourth and fifth three-pointers to surge ahead 25-13. The Wildcats had a 9-0 advantage in points off turnovers.

Then Jackson-Davis forced a missed Northwestern layup, grabbed the rebound, ran down the court and scored. He quickly followed with a pair of free throws. The Wildcats countered with a three-pointer and a dunk for a 34-17 lead.

Woodson called another timeout, this time putting in Gunn, who also quickly scored. Reneau followed with a basket. Jackson-Davis blocked a shot, which set up a Miller Kopp three-pointer. The crowd roared. Northwestern coach Chris Collins called a timeout. IU trailed 34-24.

The Hoosiers closed within five three times before a Northwestern dunk ended the half for a 41-34 score. Hood-Schino had 12 points. Jackson-Davis has 10 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and a block.

Northwestern scored the first six points of the second half to restore its double-digit lead.

Behind the hot-shooting Hood-Schifino, IU stayed within range. A Tamar Bates three-pointer (set up by a Hood-Schifino assist), cut the lead to 65-57 with nine minutes left.

The Wildcats used free throws and layups to push ahead by 13. Four straight points from Bates made it a 76-67 score with 2:20 left.

The Hoosiers set up full-court pressure. Northwestern missed three free throws. Jackson-Davis scored inside. Hood-Schino hit a three-pointer. IU trailed 79-75 with 25 seconds left, and then 81-77 on another Hood-Schifino basket with 17 seconds left, then 83-80 on Hood-Schifino's final three-pointer.

Northwestern guard Boo Buie's free throw with 1.9 seconds left (it was the last of his 26 points) created the winning margin when Trey Galloway ended the game with a three-pointer.

Next up is a Wednesday trip to Penn State.

"Nobody will deliver you wins," Woodson said. "We have to go to Penn state and see what we're made of."