Indy Sports Crew

The Empire Struck Back

Friday night marked the end of the road for the Indiana Hoosiers as they were defeated by Kentucky 102-90. The highly anticipated rematch was one of the most exciting games of the season and had no shortage of offensive firepower. When it came time for a defensive stop however, the Hoosiers simply couldn’t muster enough energy and were outmatched by Kentucky’s size and athleticism.

Right from the start Terrance Jones sent the message that Kentucky didn’t forget their last matchup in December as he powered his way to a quick five points. Indiana responded well and the teams continued to trade blows throughout the first half. With four minutes remaining the first half, IU took their only lead of the game. Less than two minutes later Kentucky grabbed the lead and put a cap on what could have been the most exciting half of basketball I’ve seen this season.

It would have been but there was a variable that has affected the play of many games this year and that was the officiating. I normally don’t like to rant and rave (in writing anyway) about the officiating because I somewhat understand what these guys go through. I officiated six years of basketball at Indiana University and the University of Florida’s Intramural Programs as well as at the High School level. By no means am I Lil’ Ted Valentine but I know enough to understand when the officials are taking away from the game. This season’s officiating, as a whole, has been subpar. Specifically reasons: officials taking control of games, inconsistency on how they will call the game from half to half and breaking up any type of team momentum by using the replay monitor as their crutch. By giving Anthony Davis and Cody Zeller each two early fouls, the officials robbed everyone of the premier matchup of the game. (Both players only played 25 and 27 minutes in the entire 40 minute game.) The second foul on both players were fouls that just weren’t there. For better or worse, it changed the way both teams wanted to play in the first half.

The second half picked up with Kentucky taking a lead and basically never looking back. IU did their best to keep it close but Kentucky was just too big and too physical for IU to matchup with. The frantic scoring pace remained the same but strong offensive sets broke down into Kentucky fast breaks and scrambles for rebounds and loose balls. When those rebounding battles took place, IU was no match for Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrest and Terrance Jones. With the entire Zeller family down low, IU had a chance. When the threes weren’t going in however, IU couldn’t muster the inside presence to compete with the superior athleticism of the Wildcats.

The officiating didn’t exactly improve in the second half as IU lost their best defender and off the dribble threat when Victor Oladipo was called for a fifth foul that could be described as laughable with over 5 minutes remaining in the game. Additionally, Kentucky shot an incredible 37 free throws during the game. Is that the officials fault or IU’s? Might be a little bit of both but IU had no answers for Kidd-Gilchrist or anyone that decided to put up an attempt inside. To Kentucky’s credit, they fixed the problem that might have been their downfall in the first meeting and that was making free throws. UK made an incredible 35 free throws and shot 94% from the line.

Don’t get me wrong, the officiating wasn’t good but Kentucky won this game outright. Indiana did what they could and put up a great effort on offense as Christian Watford, Oladipo and Cody Zeller provided an incredible amount of scoring. When you give up 100 points to the #1 team in the nation, however, you are going to lose every time. While the pace of the game dictated some of the lack of defense, it was IU’s inability to make a stop or create a turnover when they needed to most. Kentucky is too big and too good and you need a near perfect game/game plan. The first meeting in December was just that and IU was the better team that night. This was a different and more mature Kentucky team and the night that mattered most this year belonged to them.

Follow me @IndySportsCrew and @Kipicher

The Empire Looks to Strike Back

Tonight will bring the most anticipated game thus far of the tournament. Yes, it is a bias opinion but what were the odds that the upset of the year would be replayed again in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament? These two programs are two of the most elite, blue-chip programs in college basketball history. Most importantly these two teams are bitter rivals. Kentucky is looking to validate their talent and their coach with a National Championship. The Hoosiers are looking to continue a season that can only be described as miraculous.

If you turned on your TV today you were reminded of the result of the first game. That game, however, was played by two different teams that won’t be on the court tonight. Kentucky is a team that plays out a normal 4 year college career in one season, as most of their players will leave after their Freshman Year. This team is composed of players that have matured and grown into their potential and giant, grown-man, 18 year old bodies. Besides an SEC Championship loss to Vanderbilt, the Wildcats have been unscathed after IU. Anthony Davis has transformed from an awkward freshman to the awkward Player of the Year. Defensively he is a nightmare inside and offensively he can do everything from post-up to step out and hit the three.

IU is a team that by all rights shouldn’t be in this game. After an up and down Big Ten season, IU cruised past New Mexico State only to lose all semblance of an offense against VCU. 23 turnovers and under 25 points scored in the second half. Those two stats would all but guarantee a loss but IU rode their defense and poise in the clutch to a win. In order to beat Kentucky they will need to take a look at where they struggled in the first matchup at Assembly Hall. IU led for almost the entire game yet faltered in the end due to sluggish ball movement. The loss of Verdell Jones will hurt in this game as VCU exposed the Hoosiers lack of talent in regards to ball-handlers. Look for constant pressure by the supremely athletic Wildcats.

All eyes will be on the matchup of Cody Zeller and Anthony Davis. Zeller is going to be the focal point on offense and defense for the Hoosiers. Anthony Davis can get into foul trouble and Zeller needs to keep him working on defense. That being said, Zeller could just as easily get into foul trouble this game so he’ll need to be smart. Big bodies like Kidd-Gilchrist and Jones will be looking for redemption and will look to punish IU down low. Zeller is going to need help from everyone on the glass. Another key matchup will be Jordan Hulls against Teague. In the first game, Teague began to realize that he could get past Hulls nearly every position and began to take advantage in the second half. The help defense will need to be crisp on their rotations and don’t be surprised if Crean again goes to the 2-3 zone. Kentucky would rather take you off the dribble and on the break than outshoot you. IU cannot afford to have an off night shooting.

Kentucky is a better team than they were the last game. Athletically, they are much more gifted than IU. There is no way they have forgotten about their loss to IU and have to be ecstatic about the chance to redeem themselves. IU is also a better team than when they last met. They have improved by learning from their mistakes and taking their lumps. In order to pull off a second win against Kentucky they will need to take advantage of what they do better than Kentucky, team basketball.

Follow the Hoosiers tonight at 9:45pm.