I would have been more disappointed in the outcome if it hadn't been so predictable.  In the last two games, IU had (pardon the cliche) left it all on the court in painfully close losses to Illinois and Purdue.  It didn't surprise me that a Sunday afternoon roadtrip to Northwestern amounted to a step back.  Northwestern led 18-4 just 7 minutes into the game, and the Hoosiers never got closer than 9 for the rest of the game.  The Hoosiers turned in one of their very worst defensive performances of the season.  Northwestern's 1.23 points per possession was IU's worst defensive total of the season, second only to the Kentucky game.  NU shot 52 percent from the field and 40 percent from behind the arc.  IU has quietly become a moderately above average defensive team, but not on Sunday. 

Well, the game wasn't entirely without merit for the Hoosiers.  Verdell Jones turned in another efficient performance, scoring 28 points on 14 attempts thanks to 12-13 from the line.  Christian Watford scored 16 points on 11 shots thanks to 6-8 from the line.  IU's single bright spot as a team was shooting 23-27 from the line. 

Sorry for slacking on the headlines.  Here is some postgame coverage:

• Balanced Northwestern beats Indiana (The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN)
• Cats down Indiana, one step closer to NCAA (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES)
• Hoosiers have no answers (The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.)
• Carmody ‘enjoyed’ NU’s balanced scoring effort (The Daily Northwestern)
• Jones shines through Hoosiers' sloppy play (Indiana Daily Student)
• Northwestern's deep shooting buries IU (Indiana Daily Student)
• Northwestern runs over Indiana Hoosiers 78-61 (The Courier-Journal)
• Northwestern beats Indiana 78-61 (chicagotribune.com)

• Balanced Northwestern beats Indiana again 78-61 (Daily Herald)

• Hoosiers lack toughness in 78-61 loss at Northwestern (Inside the Hall)