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Three Key Takeaways.
- Indiana’s offense is a must-see when it is clicking on all cylinders. It is no secret that the biggest reason why the Hoosiers took home the outright Big Ten title was its strong offensive attack. Having said that, one must see the Hoosiers in person to fully understand just how good they are on that end of the court when things are clicking. Indiana’s offense performed masterfully throughout tonight’s victory, finishing the game shooting 64.9% from the field, 58.8% from three, and all while assisting on 23 baskets. A key facet of the Indiana offensive attack is its balanced scoring. There is rarely a game where one player dominates the stat sheet when it comes to points. In this evening’s win, the Hoosiers had seven players finish with at least eight points. Being able to count on that many guys to score for you is quite a luxury when looking to advance deep into the bracket.
- It is possible that Yogi Ferrell might be underrated. The main reason why Indiana’s offense is such a well-oiled machine is because of the man at its controls. That player is senior point guard Yogi Ferrell. The IU senior gets a lot of attention at the regional level, but it is quite possible he is underrated nationally. Ferrell does a little bit of everything for the Hoosiers: He facilitates, fires off jaw-dropping passes, hits shots from the perimeter, drives to the basket, and has developed into a very capable defender. There is no question that Yogi Ferrell is one of the most valuable players in the country, and it’s time for everyone to acknowledge it.
- You should buy stock in OG Anunoby right now. Forward Thomas Bryant is the Indiana freshman that has garnered much of the media attention this season (with good reason – Bryant is a very good player), but OG Anunoby showed tonight why there is another Hoosier freshman worth discussing. The freshman forward was outstanding against Chattanooga, finishing with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Beyond the productive scoring night, Anunoby oozed energy and athleticism the entire time he was on the court. It would be wise to keep an eye on Anunoby — chances are we will hear a lot about him before his collegiate career comes to an end.
Player of the Game. Yogi Ferrell, Indiana. The senior point guard was the star of the show again tonight, finishing with game highs in both points (20) and assists (10). Ferrell was the straw that stirred the drink all night for the Hoosiers, and his high level of play allowed them to put together an amazing offensive performance.
Quotable.
- “I want to make sure our players understand that this one game does not define our season.” – Chattanooga coach Matt McCall, calling attention to the fact that his team still had an excellent season.
- “Indiana is hands down the best and most talented team we played all season – and we played some good teams.” – McCall, noting how impressive he thought Indiana was tonight.
Sights and Sounds. Indiana fans definitely lived up to their reputation as a group that travels well. Much of Wells Fargo Arena was packed with crimson and cream. One of those fans was Yogi Ferrell’s younger sister, who was wearing a t-shirt that read, “Yogi isn’t famous. He’s my annoying brother.” Sibling love at its finest!
What’s Next. Indiana advances to the second round, where it will face the winner of Kentucky and Stony Brook on Saturday.