Wednesday, January 3
Lincoln, Neb.
9:00 PM
Indiana University
10-4,2-1Big Ten
70
at
86
Nebraska
12-2,2-1Big Ten
1
2
F
Indiana
33
37
70
Nebraska
41
45
86
Indiana Falls at Nebraska
1/3/2024 11:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Coach Mike Woodson was in no mood to sugarcoat.
Not after his Indiana Hoosiers violated all his road rules to win by in Wednesday night's 86-70 defeat at Nebraska.
"I always make it clear when we go on the road, you've got to defend and not turn it over," Woodson told Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer during the postgame radio show. "It was the opposite."
Turnovers (19) and Nebraska points off turnovers (a 27-6 edge) were too much to overcome even with center Kel'el Ware's 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
"We gifted them 27 points off of turnovers," Woodson told Fischer. "That was the difference in the game. Our defense, once we got behind, we couldn't gain any ground. We kept turning it over and gifting them buckets. You can't do that on the road."
Between Ware and forward Malik Reneau (14 points, six rebounds, five assists), IU (10-4 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten) managed a 26-24 edge in points in the paint, and a 36-29 rebound advantage.
"Our bigs played well," Woodson told Fischer.
But that couldn't offset limited guard production from Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway, who combined for five assists, seven turnovers and 10 total points.
Nebraska had a 10-1 edge in fast-break points and a 15-5 advantage in steals.
"Their perimeter guys outplayed ours," Woodson told Fischer.
Johnson was back after missing seven straight games because of a foot injury. He played the first four minutes, had 10 minutes (and four turnovers) by halftime and finished with 15 minutes, two rebounds, three assists and those four turnovers. He didn't score.
Galloway had 10 points, most coming late after the game was decided.
Reserve guards Gabe Cupps, Anthony Leal and CJ Gunn combined for 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and no turnovers.
"We got nothing from our (starting) perimeter play," Woodson told Fischer. "With Xavier, I know he's rusty. He hasn't played. He didn't give us much at all.
"Galloway didn't give us anything until late when it was too late.
"From a (starting guard) standpoint, we were awful."
Before Wednesday night, IU had beaten Nebraska (12-2, 2-1) seven straight times over the last five years.
Nebraska converted nine IU turnovers into a 14-6 points-off-turnover advantage for a 41-33 halftime lead.
Woodson's halftime message clear -- limit the turnovers, defend better. It didn't happen.
In the final 20 minutes, the Hoosiers had 10 more turnovers. Nebraska made eight second-half three-pointers and finished with 12. Guard Keisei Tominago had 28 points and four three-pointers.
"We have to be better at managing the game on the road," Woodson told Fischer.
And then …
"This team is not as good as we were defensively the last two years."
IU started strong.
It pushed ahead 9-4 with six points from Ware and a three-pointer from forward Mackenzie Mgbako. Nebraska rallied for an 11-9 lead as Mgbako picked up his second foul in the first five minutes.
Five Hoosier turnovers helped the Cornhuskers take an 18-13 lead. More IU turnovers helped boost Nebraska surge ahead 30-21.
Leal came off the bench with a three-pointer. Reneau picked up his second foul and joined Mgbako on the bench.
With the Hoosier offense going cold, the Huskers built a couple of 10-point leads. A pair of Anthony Walker free throws left IU trailing 41-33 at halftime. Ware led with 12 points. Walker had seven.
Nebraska scored the first five points of the second half, forcing a Woodson timeout. Reneau responded with a three-pointer and brief Hoosier rally.
The Cornhuskers pushed ahead 51-36. Ware took over the paint to get IU within 12 points. Three-pointers from Cupps and Reneau made the score 55-47.
The Hoosiers were positioned for a comeback. Then they weren't.
Nebraska surged ahead by 14, and then 20. Hoosier hopes were finished.
IU plays again Saturday night when it hosts Ohio State (12-2).
"You've go to do all the things right to win on the road," Woodson said. "We didn't do that."
IUHoosiers.com
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Coach Mike Woodson was in no mood to sugarcoat.
Not after his Indiana Hoosiers violated all his road rules to win by in Wednesday night's 86-70 defeat at Nebraska.
"I always make it clear when we go on the road, you've got to defend and not turn it over," Woodson told Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer during the postgame radio show. "It was the opposite."
Turnovers (19) and Nebraska points off turnovers (a 27-6 edge) were too much to overcome even with center Kel'el Ware's 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
"We gifted them 27 points off of turnovers," Woodson told Fischer. "That was the difference in the game. Our defense, once we got behind, we couldn't gain any ground. We kept turning it over and gifting them buckets. You can't do that on the road."
Between Ware and forward Malik Reneau (14 points, six rebounds, five assists), IU (10-4 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten) managed a 26-24 edge in points in the paint, and a 36-29 rebound advantage.
"Our bigs played well," Woodson told Fischer.
But that couldn't offset limited guard production from Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway, who combined for five assists, seven turnovers and 10 total points.
Nebraska had a 10-1 edge in fast-break points and a 15-5 advantage in steals.
"Their perimeter guys outplayed ours," Woodson told Fischer.
Johnson was back after missing seven straight games because of a foot injury. He played the first four minutes, had 10 minutes (and four turnovers) by halftime and finished with 15 minutes, two rebounds, three assists and those four turnovers. He didn't score.
Galloway had 10 points, most coming late after the game was decided.
Reserve guards Gabe Cupps, Anthony Leal and CJ Gunn combined for 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and no turnovers.
"We got nothing from our (starting) perimeter play," Woodson told Fischer. "With Xavier, I know he's rusty. He hasn't played. He didn't give us much at all.
"Galloway didn't give us anything until late when it was too late.
"From a (starting guard) standpoint, we were awful."
Before Wednesday night, IU had beaten Nebraska (12-2, 2-1) seven straight times over the last five years.
Nebraska converted nine IU turnovers into a 14-6 points-off-turnover advantage for a 41-33 halftime lead.
Woodson's halftime message clear -- limit the turnovers, defend better. It didn't happen.
In the final 20 minutes, the Hoosiers had 10 more turnovers. Nebraska made eight second-half three-pointers and finished with 12. Guard Keisei Tominago had 28 points and four three-pointers.
"We have to be better at managing the game on the road," Woodson told Fischer.
And then …
"This team is not as good as we were defensively the last two years."
IU started strong.
It pushed ahead 9-4 with six points from Ware and a three-pointer from forward Mackenzie Mgbako. Nebraska rallied for an 11-9 lead as Mgbako picked up his second foul in the first five minutes.
Five Hoosier turnovers helped the Cornhuskers take an 18-13 lead. More IU turnovers helped boost Nebraska surge ahead 30-21.
Leal came off the bench with a three-pointer. Reneau picked up his second foul and joined Mgbako on the bench.
With the Hoosier offense going cold, the Huskers built a couple of 10-point leads. A pair of Anthony Walker free throws left IU trailing 41-33 at halftime. Ware led with 12 points. Walker had seven.
Nebraska scored the first five points of the second half, forcing a Woodson timeout. Reneau responded with a three-pointer and brief Hoosier rally.
The Cornhuskers pushed ahead 51-36. Ware took over the paint to get IU within 12 points. Three-pointers from Cupps and Reneau made the score 55-47.
The Hoosiers were positioned for a comeback. Then they weren't.
Nebraska surged ahead by 14, and then 20. Hoosier hopes were finished.
IU plays again Saturday night when it hosts Ohio State (12-2).
"You've go to do all the things right to win on the road," Woodson said. "We didn't do that."
Team Stats
IND
Nebr
FG%
.471
.458
3FG%
.500
.375
FT%
.684
.769
RB
36
29
TO
19
8
STL
5
15
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballForward
/ Men's BasketballForward
/ Men's BasketballCenter
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