The minute after: Nebraska – In the hall

Thoughts on the 85-68 loss to the Cornhuskers:

Indiana did some of what was needed to win on the road in the Big Ten.

The Hoosiers turned the ball over on just 13 percent of their possessions, a season high. They rebounded more than a third (34 percent) of their missed shots. After a difficult start in the loud Pinnacle Bank Arena, Indiana fell early 13-3. However, the Hoosiers calmed down and fought back. They even took the lead for part of the first half. While the storms kept coming, Indiana continued to weather them on the road in the Big Ten.

But Indiana just couldn’t get enough stops in this one.

The Cornhuskers scored 1.23 points per possession and posted an effective field goal percentage of 69. Nebraska shot 8 of 14 (57 percent) from long range, 15 of 23 (65 percent) from dunks and layups and shot 7 of 12 (58 percent) with other 2s. No matter where the Cornhuskers shot from tonight, there was a good chance the ball would end up in the basket. According to Michael Niziolek, tonight was the first time Nebraska shot better than 60 percent from the floor in a conference game since a win against Northwestern on Feb. 3, 2015.

Brice Williams was great, leading all scorers with 30 points on 10 of 15 shooting. He also got to the finish line a ton (8 of 11) and provided a game-high five assists. Juwan Gary (14 points), Conor Essegian (13 points) and Andrew Morgan (10 points) also scored in double figures for the Cornhuskers.

Indiana’s offense was much different tonight. Nebraska has allowed its opponents to shoot a large number of 3-pointers so far this season. Indiana continued that trend tonight. The Hoosiers attempted 35 3-pointers, the most in a game in the Mike Woodson era. The Hoosiers started hot, making 5 of 8. But as the game went on, their outside shooting cooled off significantly. Indiana managed just 3 of 27 (11.1 percent) the rest of the game and finished just 8 of 35 (22.9 percent).

While many were itching for Indiana to make more 3-pointers under Woodson, there seemed to be too many tonight. The Hoosiers attempted 53.8 percent of their shots from distance. Especially early in the second half, it seemed like Indiana was just throwing it up without much ball movement or offensive action. And despite Indiana’s strong offense bouncing back from every miscue, the Hoosiers only mustered 10 second-chance points.

Myles Rice was able to stem the tide by putting on a show in the second half. At one point he scored 13 points in a row for the Hoosiers. And despite IU’s poor shooting performance, it was a competitive and entertaining game. Indiana trailed by just one point, 68-67, with 6:51 left to play after a 3-pointer from Luke Goode. But from then on the bottom fell out. Indiana finished the game 1 of 18 from the field, allowing the Cornhuskers to close the game on a 17-1 run. The Hoosiers didn’t score a field goal after Goode’s 3-pointer as they missed shots from deep and at the basket.

What looked like a chance for Indiana to earn a conference road win ended with its fourth straight loss to Nebraska, each by 15 or more points. With Chattanooga and Winthrop next, Indiana won’t have a chance at another quality win until Big Ten play picks up again in the new year.

(Image credit: IU Athletics)

Submitted to: Nebraska Cornhuskers