Indiana Hoosiers' Unbeaten Streak Tested in Victory over UNC Greensboro
ICARO Media Group
**Indiana Hoosiers Remain Undefeated Despite Struggles Against UNC Greensboro**
Indiana Hoosiers secured their fourth consecutive victory with a 69-58 win over UNC Greensboro at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Despite a solid start, the Hoosiers faced unexpected challenges throughout the game.
The Hoosiers began with a commanding 21-5 lead but were outperformed by UNC Greensboro, being outscored 53-48 in the game's closing stages. Indiana's offensive momentum dipped after Myles Rice, who did not return to his early game form, went to the bench in the first half. The team struggled considerably with ball movement and passing, managing just a 26.3 percent success rate from the 3-point line, hitting only 5 of 19 attempts.
Coach Mike Woodson was visibly displeased with the team's performance postgame, choosing not to make the players available to the media. He emphasized the need to address the deficiencies seen in this game before the team departs for the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, where they'll face Louisville in their opening match on Wednesday at noon ET. "We've got to go and clean this game up before I start thinking about the Bahamas," Woodson stated. "We've got to figure out this game and all the things we did wrong and didn't do."
Indiana's performance on the glass continues to be a concern. Despite having a physically imposing frontline, they have allowed opponents to grab 30.3 percent of missed shots in the season's first four games, placing them 201st in the national ranking. UNC Greensboro managed to collect 17 offensive rebounds but fortunately turned those into just 10 points. This reflects a significant lapse in attention to detail and rebounding fundamentals for Indiana.
There has also been a slight shift in Indiana’s 3-point attempt rate compared to last season, but it remains lower than the modern college basketball average. This season, 30.4 percent of their field goal attempts have been from beyond the arc, a minor increase from last year's 27.8 percent. Indiana averages 17.5 3-point attempts per game, a figure which is considered too low in the current landscape of the sport.
One bright spot for the Hoosiers has been the play of freshman Bryson Tucker. The McDonald's All-American has shown considerable poise and confidence coming off the bench. In the win against UNC Greensboro, Tucker scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, demonstrating excellence in the midrange. He boasts an impressive shooting percentage, hitting 56.5 percent of his 2-point attempts and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line. Mike Woodson acknowledged Tucker's contributions, noting he is a crucial piece for the team moving forward.
Meanwhile, Myles Rice continued to assert himself as Indiana's top offensive player in the game, scoring a game-high 20 points. Rice also registered six assists, five rebounds, and took care of the ball reasonably well with only three turnovers. His shooting stats reflect his efficiency, making 46.2 percent of his 3-point attempts, 66.7 percent of his 2-pointers, and 92.9 percent from the free-throw line.
As Indiana prepares for its next challenge in the Bahamas, the team will need to address these areas of concern to maintain their undefeated streak and succeed against stronger competition.