Rushed Reactions: #7 Wichita State 81, #10 Indiana 76
Posted by Eric Clark on March 20th, 2015
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Three Key Takeaways.
Everything Was Left on the Floor in This One (USA Today Images)
- Wichita State survived an awful shooting night from Ron Baker. Baker was an awful 3-of-13 from the field today, but he still managed to get 15 points while going 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Fred VanVleet poured in 27 and was Wichita State’s catalyst the entire day. Wichita State was able to get production from some key role players in the second half, as Darius Carter, Zach Brown and Tekele Cotton combined for 24 second-half points. The Shockers probably won’t survive their Sunday matchup with the Jayhawks if Baker has an equally dreadful shooting night on Sunday, though, so they should feel somewhat fortunate to have escaped the second round with a win.
- Fouls killed the Hoosiers early and often. Indiana’s big men were in foul trouble for a majority of the game on Friday, and it cost them dearly. Emmitt Holt and Collin Hartman finished with four fouls apiece, and Hanner Mosquera–Perea played despite being somewhat limited by his injured right knee. Mosquera-Perea finished with three fouls himself, and Indiana could never find a rhythm with its corps of forwards. It wasn’t just the big men, though, as Indiana tallied 26 total fouls in comparison to Wichita State’s 17. Wichita State was brilliant from the free throw line, cashing in on 29-of-34 attempts today, effectively winning them the game.
- Fred VanVleet is the truth. VanVleet carried the Shockers to the tune of 27 points and four assists in a game where none of his teammates could find a way to create their own shot. With Baker struggling, VanVleet went to battle with Yogi Ferrell and ultimately came out on top. He also helped shut down Ferrell on defense, as the junior was held to nine points in the second half after a 15-point first stanza. VanVleet was key in creating space in the lane for the Shockers, as they finished with 44 total points in the paint.
Player of the Game. Fred VanVleet. He consistently found ways to get to the rim despite having minimal help from co-star Ron Baker. VanVleet played all but three minutes on Friday, going 9-of-10 from the free throw line and only turning the ball over once.
Sights and Sounds. Wichita State’s Darius Carter had a tooth fold backward into his mouth in the first half after catching an inadvertent elbow from an Indiana player, drawing gasps from the crowd as he rolled on the floor in pain. He would return later in the half, tooth still intact.
Quotable. “I’m thankful that I’ve got my tooth. That’d be a bad look to not have a front tooth.” – Darius Carter, referring to the elbow that dislodged his tooth.
What’s Next? The Sunflower State showdown will take place in the round of 32 on Sunday, as the Shockers will face #2 seed and intrastate rival, Kansas.
