NIT 2017: Three Things from Indiana’s 63-75 loss to Georgia Tech

Hello darkness, my old friend

I've come to talk with you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains

Within the sound of silence

With plenty of negative energy surrounding the program, Indiana had a chance to at least quell some of the complaints. After tonight’s effort, the Hoosiers did the opposite.

The Hoosiers began the game looking like they didn’t even want to be in this game, and in all honesty, they probably didn’t.

Georgia Tech opened the game with a 17 to 4 lead off of a 15-0 run, and from there it seemed as if you could already call the game. The Hoosiers opened the affair missing 11 of their first 13 shots and they eventually ended the first half having only made one of their nine three point attempts.

If it wasn’t for the efforts of the freshman, this game wouldn’t have even been close at any point. Freshman Devonte Green and Curtis Jones brought energy when it was needed, but ultimately, consistent mistakes and poor shooting made this game impossible for Indiana.

Home court advantage matters

This was supposed to be a home game for Indiana. The Hoosiers wore white jerseys for pete sakes!

The consequences of IU Athletics’ decision to play this game in Georgia were evident from the very beginning.

Georgia Tech’s fans had energy, unlike most of the basketball players on Indiana. Georgia Tech used that energy to spark massive runs throughout the affair, including a 15-0 run in the first five minutes.

In addition to the runs, the friendly confines also had an effect on the shooting output of both teams.

Indiana started the game by missing 11 of their first 13 shots, and eventually ended the game shooting 38% from the field.

Comparatively, Georgia Tech shot 48% from the field and knocked down seven three pointers despite the fact that Georgia Tech is the worst shooting team in the ACC.

This team has not changed

If you thought that for some reason Indiana would play any differently than it had all season, then I’m sorry.

Indiana lost this game because some of the same issues that plagued them before, plagued them again.

The Hoosiers had 16 turnovers, gave up 22 points off of turnovers, and they played lack luster defense throughout the affair. Allowing such a poor shooting team to shoot in the manner that they did is an issue.

In addition to all of this, Indiana also struggled schematically when trying to handle Georgia Tech’s best low-post option. Ben Lammers scored 11 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and had five blocks.

Indiana could have and should have won this game

Indiana is undoubtedly a more talented team than Georgia Tech. With that said, mistakes and effort did the Hoosiers in.

Georgia Tech missed seven free throws, and had nine turnovers of its own. There were plenty of opportunities for the Hoosiers to win this game, but 13 points combined from James Blackmon Jr. and Robert Johnson are not going to cut it.