By Brian Hall
Indiana 88-SIU-Edwardsville 54
Well this alumnus was expecting a blow out from the Hoosiers over SIUE and wow did I get it. IU scored the first 24 points and never looked back on their way to an 88 to 54 beat down. I could stop writing this reaction, but as a graduate of Indiana University, I have to obsess over the little things that happened during the game.
Good things that I noticed during the game: First off is the fast start. Indiana has been plagued by starting off in slow motion for many of the first games. Nobody could have asked for a better start! Secondly is the offensive play of Jeremiah Rivers. It was good to see him looking to shoot the ball a little more in the blowout. Also, Matt Roth coming in the game and shooting like the way he did before his injury! Christian Watford had a great game until he fouled out in the second half (more about that below). Finally, they did all of this without Verdell Jones III and it gave him a little extra time to rest his injury.
Worrisome things I noticed during the game: Turnovers made an unwelcomed return to Assembly Hall during the SIUE game. Many of the turnovers seemed to come when the Hoosiers were trying to push the ball and going a little too quick for what they can handle. The biggest issue I saw last night is the fact that one of the Hoosier’s opponents was shooting free throws early in the first and second half. I appreciate Indiana playing aggressive, but they need to control the fouls they create if we are going to win games in the Big Ten. Also, Watford fouling out with eight minutes to go in the game is going to burn us if the game is close!
Overall, I cannot complained because the game was over in the first five minutes, but I would have liked to see the turnovers and fouls committed trimmed in future games.
Up next: South Carolina State
