The Minute After: Maryland – Inside the Hall

Thoughts on an 84-66 win against Maryland:

Inside a dead and empty Xfinity Center, Indiana looked to be playing with fire against a struggling Maryland squad.

This was yet another true road contest where the Hoosiers had trouble finding a rhythm on offense early, as the opponent dictated the terms of the engagement and took them out of their stuff. Pre-game on the Big Ten Network broadcast, Maryland coach Buzz Williams gave a long answer to a question on how his team was looking to limit Indiana’s 3-point shooting. It proved well-executed over the first 20 minutes of the contest. Lamar Wilkerson (0-of-2) and Tucker DeVries (1-of-3) were non-factors from distance and Tayton Conerway (1-of-4) and Conor Enright (0-of-1) didn’t have a repeat effort from their hot hands against Washington. The Hoosiers hit just 2-of-12 (16.7 percent) from 3-point range in the first half.

So Indiana did what it needed to do to survive. It got dirty and worked its way to the free-throw line time and again. The Hoosiers posted a free-throw rate of 62 percent, going a perfect 16-of-16 from the charity stripe with five different players contributing to the cause. Conerway also muscled his way in for a couple of scores (13 points, 4-of-8).

It was all enough to help Indiana carry a five-point lead into the break, 36-31.

And then right on cue, Wilkerson, as he’s done at other times this season after a slow start, came alive over the final 20 minutes of the game. Wilkerson not only got more opportunities and made them count from 3-point range (3-of-5), but also scored on the drive and back cuts en route to 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, which was good for a game-high 24 points overall.

And while Reed Bailey is still struggling at times to put the ball in the hole 1-on-1 in the post, Indiana was able to find him out of ball-screen action on the roll for some easy dunks. He scored 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting in the second half and had 15 for the contest. Enright scored 10 points after halftime, hitting 2-of-3 from distance. After scoring double-digits (12 points) for the first time all season against Washington on Sunday night, his 16 points tonight are a new season-high.

On defense, Indiana held Maryland under a point per possession (.96). Maryland’s offense is now just 152nd on KenPom. The Terps feel like a team that doesn’t have much cohesion or togetherness, as guys were taking turns trying to make plays for themselves.

This was yet another game DeVries couldn’t get going. He mustered five points tonight after only six against Washington on Sunday. Part of the problem? DeVries has gone ice-cold from deep. Over his last eight contests, he’s shooting just 16-of-66 (24.2 percent) from 3-point range. Iso-ing the West Virginia transfer to try and get him to bully his way to points near the paint hasn’t been very fruitful at times, either. You figure this can’t go on forever and Indiana is certainly going to need him as the competition really starts to stiffen. Still, for as long as it’s gone on, it feels a little concerning at this point.

It was good not to mess around in this one and get out of Maryland with a comfortable win. Why? Because the gauntlet is about to begin. Indiana has undefeated Nebraska (15-0, KenPom No. 20) up next at home, holders of the nation’s longest winning streak at 19 games. Then onwards to Michigan State (KenPom No. 12). Back home against Iowa (KenPom No. 18) before heading to currently undefeated Michigan (KenPom No. 1). A slight reprieve at Rutgers (KenPom No. 155) before taking on Purdue (KenPom No. 4) at home.

It’s a brutal stretch of games. A stretch, though, that Indiana is going to have ample opportunity to pick up the types of wins it needs to make the NCAA tournament. Pick of a couple and the resumé starts to look pretty good. Drop all the big ones? The Hoosiers could be heading into February of this season without a signature win.

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

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