Hoosiers top Bulldogs in the Crossroads Classic
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — It was a game the Hoosiers needed to have. After losing in the Crossroads Classic the last few seasons, a third straight loss would have been an embarrassment to the program. Their NCAA tournament resume was also in desperate need of a boost. The Hoosiers responded with a big 82-73 win over the #23 Butler Bulldogs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Tom Crean won his 300th career game, Yogi Ferrell surpassed the 1,000 career point total, and Indiana knocked off their second ranked opponent of the season. The rest of the Big Ten combined only has two wins over ranked opponents in the non-conference season.
Junior Yogi Ferrell picked up two early fouls in the first five minutes of the game. He only played nine minutes in the first half, and didn’t score. Freshman James Blackmon Jr. also had a rough first half, scoring just two points on 1-of-8 shooting. Despite the struggles of Indiana’s two premiere scorers, the Hoosiers had built a 37-27 lead with 3:48 to play in the first half. As things often do in college basketball, the game shifted quickly after that point. The Bulldogs closed the half on an 11-1 run, and the score was tied 38-38 at halftime. Butler guard Kellen Dunham had 18 points at the break, including 9-of-9 from the foul line.
To open the second half, the Bulldogs controlled the tempo. They eventually led 53-47 before the next turning point in the game took place. Yogi Ferrell’s first made shot of the game came with 13:48 remaining. It was a three point basket that made the score 53-50. Often times, it just takes one made shot for a scorer to get going. That was the case here for Ferrell. He put the Hoosiers on his back in the 2nd half, scoring all 20 of his points.
“Guys were telling me to take over the game” Ferrell said. “I was frustrated with those two early fouls and wanted to help the team win.”
Though Ferrell was the second half star, the Hoosiers got major contributions from Troy Williams and Hanner Mosquera Perea. Williams scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. He also had three assists, two steals, and two blocks. He played under control while still being aggressive and attacking the basket. “Sometimes I go too fast,” Williams said after the game. “I’m becoming more aware, and I just hope I can capitalize on this.” Coach Tom Crean added: “Troy is sometimes his own worst enemy. He’s growing out of that. He’s got a lot of personal determination to be a great player.”
Hanner Mosquera Perea added eight points, nine rebounds, and four blocked shots in the win. If this more closely resembles the Williams and Perea the Hoosiers will be getting in conference season, the Hoosiers will have a chance to be a pretty good team. Consistency will be the key.
James Blackmon Jr. failed to score in double figures for the first time in his young career. He struggled throughout the game, only scoring five points on 2-of-12 shooting. The Hoosiers might even feel better about their performance today knowing their leading scorer had an off night.
For the game, the Hoosiers out-rebounded the Bulldogs 49-40. Many thought Butler would have the advantage in that department, but the Hoosiers responded by crashing the glass hard. They pulled down 16 offensive rebounds and received contributions from several players.
The Hoosiers will have one more big non-conference test next week when they face Georgetown. With the Big Ten season quickly approaching, a win over the Bulldogs was just what this team needed.
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