Indiana was dealt a decisive blow by Nebraska for the third time this season, as the Huskers secured a convincing 93-66 victory in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals on Friday night. The defeat exposed several key weaknesses in the Hoosiers' game, leaving them with much work to do in the offseason.

One glaring issue that emerged from the match was Indiana's struggle to defend against the three-point shot. Since the departure of former head coach Tom Crean in 2017, the Hoosiers have not prioritized recruiting proficient shooters or incorporating the three-point shot into their offensive strategy. Consequently, when facing teams like Nebraska, who boast a fearless approach to shooting from beyond the arc, Indiana faces a daunting uphill battle. The Hoosiers were outscored by an average of 22 points on three-pointers throughout their three encounters with the Huskers, culminating in a 27-point gap in Friday night's game. The average margin of defeat in these matchups was 19.3 points, underscoring the significant impact the three-point shot had on Nebraska's dominance over Indiana.

Another critical element that contributed to Indiana's downfall was the stifling defense employed by Nebraska against Indiana's standout player, Kel'el Ware. The Huskers made it a priority to limit Ware's impact from the opening tip, swarming him on every touch and denying him the opportunity to find his rhythm. Ware struggled to find his usual efficiency, recording just 3-for-10 shooting from the field and committing three turnovers. Nebraska's defensive tactics proved effective in neutralizing one of Indiana's key offensive weapons.

Furthermore, the foul trouble experienced by Malik Reneau throughout the season, particularly in the latter stages, hindered Indiana's success. Reneau, despite showing promise in his second season with the Hoosiers and earning All-Big Ten honorable mention accolades, was frequently plagued by foul woes. He fouled out of Friday's game in just 22 minutes, finishing with a modest nine points, five rebounds, and three assists. His average of 4.3 fouls per 40 minutes and seven instances of fouling out highlight the need for Reneau to improve defensively if he wishes to reach his full potential and contribute consistently to Indiana's results.

Indiana also struggled to contain Keisei Tominaga of Nebraska, who proved to be a menace in all three encounters between the teams. Tominaga's ability to move off the ball effortlessly and his exceptional shooting skills made him a challenging player to guard. He tormented Indiana with 12 three-pointers and an average of 23.6 points in their three matchups. In Friday's game, he exhibited his skills by hitting stepback three-pointers and effortlessly driving to the rim when defenders attempted to overplay him on the perimeter. Tominaga's stellar performance of 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting, coupled with five assists, emphasized the difficulties Indiana faced in containing him.

Looking ahead, Indiana appears inclined to decline an invitation to the NIT tournament, signaling their focus on utilizing the offseason to strengthen their roster through the transfer portal. Head coach Mike Woodson acknowledged the need for improvement and emphasized the importance of talent evaluation and player development during the summer break. The Hoosiers aim to build around their core players and address the weaknesses that were exposed in their contest with Nebraska.

The defeat at the hands of Nebraska in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals has shed light on the areas where Indiana must improve if they aspire to contend in the future. A renewed emphasis on three-point shooting, enhanced defensive strategies, and addressing foul trouble will be crucial components of Indiana's offseason preparations. As the Hoosiers look to bounce back stronger, their focus will be on building a more formidable team for the upcoming season.