Post-game reaction: IU vs. Notre Dame

Rapid Reactions
This game started slowly for IU as they struggled for the first part of the first half against Notre Dame. I was half expecting a slow start coming after a week off following the win versus #1 Kentucky, but this was a little much. They could have also been a little excited about Purdue blowing yet another double digit lead in the second half against a team that IU previously beat by sixteen.

Whatever the reason #TGFC (Thank God for Cody) in the first half. At one point, Cody Zeller had 10 of the team’s 12 points. If it wasn’t for him, I am not sure that IU sticks close enough to be in it at half. At one point I was thinking that Coach Crean should put Daniel Moore in the game for a spark! I am still curious about what in the world Elston was doing at the end of the half with five seconds left on the clock and launching a half court shot, but thanks to Remy he was bailed out.

I never was nervous about this game in the second half. Notre Dame kept it close but they never scared the Hoosiers.  Even though Indiana had several key members in foul trouble, the bench filled in nicely and we expanded our lead to mid-teens and held on, unlike Purdue. I was proud of all the members of the Indiana basketball team and I cannot wait until the Big Ten season starts!

I grew up ten miles outside Notre Dame’s campus and currently live in Lafayette, so today was a good day for me being an IU fan!

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Hoo's Next? Notre Dame Edition

Who: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Where: Close the Gap Crossroads Classic, Conseco Fieldhouse
When: 12/17/11, 4:30pm
TV: ESPN2

IU plays Notre Dame tomorrow at 4:30pm at Conseco Fieldhouse for the Close the Gap Crossroads Classic. Here are a couple of things to watch for as the Hoosiers try to extend its winning streak to 10-0:

The million-dollar question: Can Indiana build off of its win over Kentucky?

The biggest question on everyone’s mind is how the Hoosiers will transition back after the monumental win against Kentucky last Saturday (and after a long finals week). There’s a new set of expectations for the Hoosiers now that they’ve shown they can keep up with the best.

This squad is drastically different than in year’s past. Besides the obvious addition of Zeller, the mostly-veteran squad now plays a smarter game, gained mass through offseason lifting, and vastly improved their shooting, which is now more consistent. Indiana, which is now ranked #18 in the AP poll and #20 in the coaches poll, still has a lot to prove. The Hoosiers will need to sustain the level of play from Dec. 10^th for the rest of the season to not only be successful against the stronger B1G opponents, but also gain back the respect it lost over the past few years. It will be interesting to watch now that things are swinging Indiana’s way, how they will adjust this new level.

Jack Cooley

Although Cooley had fallen ill earlier in the season, the past two games the Fighting Irish forward Jack Cooley has bounced back strong, posting only one rebound shy of back-to-back double doubles in his last two appearances. With the recent season-ending injury of ND’s star Tim Abromaitis, Cooley has stepped up for the Irish in the paint and provides a role it has lacked in Abromaitis’ absence.

Notre Dame’s perimeter game

Notre Dame’s 3-point game is not always consistent, but when hot, ND has a strong three-point shot, averaging around seven 3’s per game. Indiana will need a strong, outside defensive presence in order to shut down ND’s perimeter shot.

Will Derek Elston return Saturday?

Elston sat out last week’s game due to a back injury he acquired the week leading up to the Kentucky game. Coach Crean reported during his pre-game press conference Thursday that Elston has been feeling better and participated in practice this week. Hopefully Elston will be back on the floor tomorrow. Elston has a strong inside presence that will be needed to help Zeller shut down their inside game.

Outcome: If IU can come back down from the Kentucky win and focus on its defensive play against Notre Dame, IU should come away with the win.

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