Sunday, December 29
Bloomington, Ind.
4 p.m.
Indiana University
10-3,1-1Big Ten
77
vs
68
Winthrop
10-5,0-0Big South
1
2
F
Winthrop
37
31
68
Indiana
41
36
77
Hoosiers Close Non-Conference with 77-68 Victory over Winthrop
12/29/2024 6:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- It was a time for an unexpected Hoosier hero and Langdon Hatton delivered.
Did he ever.
The 6-10 reserve senior center got his Sunday night chance with Oumar Ballo not available and Malik Reneau battling foul trouble and produced seven points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, a steal and an assist in Indiana's 77-68 victory over Winthrop.
Before Sunday, Hatton hadn't played more than eight minutes, hadn't played at all in three games, and totaled 18 points and six rebounds.
"Thank goodness for Langdon," coach Mike Woodson said. "I gave him the game ball. He played his butt off. He never complains. He always comes to work. He gave us a big lift when we needed it. It's all about team."
Hatton, a former Indiana all-state player out of North Harrison High School, transferred from Bellarmine.
"We knew Ballo was questionable early this morning," Hatton said. "(Playing so well) comes from treating practice every day as serious as possible. That helps you be ready."
As far as getting the game ball, Hatton added, "Being from Indiana, it's a dream come true to be on the team. When your number is called … I'm excited to help out."
Woodson wouldn't address why Ballo, who dressed and watched warmups without participating, didn't play. Luke Goode replaced him in the starting lineup.
"We didn't have a lot of lead time (about knowing Ballo wouldn't play)," Woodson said. "That doesn't matter. The guys who are in uniform have got to play. Ballo didn't play. We'll address the situation."
Missed three throws and 3-pointers took a toll. The Hoosiers (10-3) were 16-for-24 from the line and 1-for-20 beyond the arc. Goode, who was brought in from Illinois for his 3-point shooting prowess, was just 1-for-9. Mackenzie Mgbako was 0-for-5.
"Shooting is a funny thing," Woodson said. "They were all good looks. I can't complain they were bad shots. They have to keep working. Eventually, they will fall."
Added guard Myles Rice: "We got good looks. I'm comfortable with everyone who took them. We have to get over the hurdle."
IU had been solid on free throws and 3-point shooting earlier in the season.
Not anymore.
"When we were making them, life was good," Woodson said. "I know it's there. We have to go back and find it."
Despite the shooting struggles and the fact Winthrop (10-5) closed within a point at 69-68 with three minutes remaining, IU found a way in its final non-conference game.
"When they cut the lead to one, we didn't fold," Woodson said. "We made the plays we had to make. That's what I look at."
Rice led Indiana with 18 points, using his quickness to drive for layups and easy baskets.
"They pressured me," he said. "Any time someone tries to pressure me, I feel I have the advantage. I use my speed and quickness to attack."
Rice added that extra motivation came from Sunday being his grandfather's birthday.
"I played for him."
Guard Trey Galloway added 11 points. Foul trouble limited Reneau to just 14 minutes, six in the first half. He finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Winthrop relentlessly attacked the basket. IU relentlessly neutralized it with blocked shots, altered shots and overall pressure. The Eagles tried the perimeter, with 6-for-23 inconsistency.
The Hoosiers' own 3-point struggles kept them from pulling away.
"We have to focus and make them," Woodson said. "That would make life a lot better."
A Goode 3-pointer and a pair of Rice baskets helped IU make five of its first six shots and push to an 11-5 lead after four minutes. Winthrop rallied to within a point at 13-12. A pair of Hatton free throws and a jumper and a dunk from Bryson Tucker made it a 19-12 score with 13 minutes left in the half.
Consecutive 3-pointers again brought Winthrop within a point, this time at 23-22. A Reneau basket, a Hatton dunk, a Rice layup and a Galloway free throw pushed the lead to 30-22 with five minutes left.
The Eagles surged within 34-32 before a Tucker 3-point play and four Rice free throws helped IU take a 41-37 halftime lead. Rice led Indiana with 12 points. Foul trouble limited Reneau to six points in six minutes.
IU went right to Reneau to start the second half and was rewarded with a pair of his free throws in the first eight seconds. Rice followed with a layup. Galloway added one of his own.
Then Reneau picked up his third foul and returned to the bench. Winthrop again got within two points. IU again refused to give up the lead.
A Goode steal and 3-point play pushed the Hoosiers ahead 54-47 with 15 minutes remaining. A Mgbako dunk made it 59-52 with 10 minutes left. A Galloway layup gave IU a 63-55 lead. A Rice layup and a Galloway layup off a rebound pushed the Hoosiers ahead 67-58 with five minutes left.
A Winthrop 3-pointer cut IU's lead to 69-68 with three minutes left. Free throws by Reneau and Hatton, and then a Reneau 3-point play and an Anthony Leal rebound basket, provided the difference-making cushion
IU, which is 1-1 in the Big Ten, resumes conference play Thursday night against Rutgers (7-5, 1-1).
"I feel we're improving," Rice said. "We've been taking strides.
"Rutgers is a good team. We'll get back to work and get ready for them."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- It was a time for an unexpected Hoosier hero and Langdon Hatton delivered.
Did he ever.
The 6-10 reserve senior center got his Sunday night chance with Oumar Ballo not available and Malik Reneau battling foul trouble and produced seven points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, a steal and an assist in Indiana's 77-68 victory over Winthrop.
Before Sunday, Hatton hadn't played more than eight minutes, hadn't played at all in three games, and totaled 18 points and six rebounds.
"Thank goodness for Langdon," coach Mike Woodson said. "I gave him the game ball. He played his butt off. He never complains. He always comes to work. He gave us a big lift when we needed it. It's all about team."
Hatton, a former Indiana all-state player out of North Harrison High School, transferred from Bellarmine.
"We knew Ballo was questionable early this morning," Hatton said. "(Playing so well) comes from treating practice every day as serious as possible. That helps you be ready."
As far as getting the game ball, Hatton added, "Being from Indiana, it's a dream come true to be on the team. When your number is called … I'm excited to help out."
Woodson wouldn't address why Ballo, who dressed and watched warmups without participating, didn't play. Luke Goode replaced him in the starting lineup.
"We didn't have a lot of lead time (about knowing Ballo wouldn't play)," Woodson said. "That doesn't matter. The guys who are in uniform have got to play. Ballo didn't play. We'll address the situation."
Missed three throws and 3-pointers took a toll. The Hoosiers (10-3) were 16-for-24 from the line and 1-for-20 beyond the arc. Goode, who was brought in from Illinois for his 3-point shooting prowess, was just 1-for-9. Mackenzie Mgbako was 0-for-5.
"Shooting is a funny thing," Woodson said. "They were all good looks. I can't complain they were bad shots. They have to keep working. Eventually, they will fall."
Added guard Myles Rice: "We got good looks. I'm comfortable with everyone who took them. We have to get over the hurdle."
IU had been solid on free throws and 3-point shooting earlier in the season.
Not anymore.
"When we were making them, life was good," Woodson said. "I know it's there. We have to go back and find it."
Despite the shooting struggles and the fact Winthrop (10-5) closed within a point at 69-68 with three minutes remaining, IU found a way in its final non-conference game.
"When they cut the lead to one, we didn't fold," Woodson said. "We made the plays we had to make. That's what I look at."
Rice led Indiana with 18 points, using his quickness to drive for layups and easy baskets.
"They pressured me," he said. "Any time someone tries to pressure me, I feel I have the advantage. I use my speed and quickness to attack."
Rice added that extra motivation came from Sunday being his grandfather's birthday.
"I played for him."
Guard Trey Galloway added 11 points. Foul trouble limited Reneau to just 14 minutes, six in the first half. He finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Winthrop relentlessly attacked the basket. IU relentlessly neutralized it with blocked shots, altered shots and overall pressure. The Eagles tried the perimeter, with 6-for-23 inconsistency.
The Hoosiers' own 3-point struggles kept them from pulling away.
"We have to focus and make them," Woodson said. "That would make life a lot better."
A Goode 3-pointer and a pair of Rice baskets helped IU make five of its first six shots and push to an 11-5 lead after four minutes. Winthrop rallied to within a point at 13-12. A pair of Hatton free throws and a jumper and a dunk from Bryson Tucker made it a 19-12 score with 13 minutes left in the half.
Consecutive 3-pointers again brought Winthrop within a point, this time at 23-22. A Reneau basket, a Hatton dunk, a Rice layup and a Galloway free throw pushed the lead to 30-22 with five minutes left.
The Eagles surged within 34-32 before a Tucker 3-point play and four Rice free throws helped IU take a 41-37 halftime lead. Rice led Indiana with 12 points. Foul trouble limited Reneau to six points in six minutes.
IU went right to Reneau to start the second half and was rewarded with a pair of his free throws in the first eight seconds. Rice followed with a layup. Galloway added one of his own.
Then Reneau picked up his third foul and returned to the bench. Winthrop again got within two points. IU again refused to give up the lead.
A Goode steal and 3-point play pushed the Hoosiers ahead 54-47 with 15 minutes remaining. A Mgbako dunk made it 59-52 with 10 minutes left. A Galloway layup gave IU a 63-55 lead. A Rice layup and a Galloway layup off a rebound pushed the Hoosiers ahead 67-58 with five minutes left.
A Winthrop 3-pointer cut IU's lead to 69-68 with three minutes left. Free throws by Reneau and Hatton, and then a Reneau 3-point play and an Anthony Leal rebound basket, provided the difference-making cushion
IU, which is 1-1 in the Big Ten, resumes conference play Thursday night against Rutgers (7-5, 1-1).
"I feel we're improving," Rice said. "We've been taking strides.
"Rutgers is a good team. We'll get back to work and get ready for them."
Team Stats
Win
IND
FG%
.375
.455
3FG%
.261
.050
FT%
.700
.667
RB
39
46
TO
11
8
STL
6
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
Center
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballForward
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's BasketballForward
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