Hoosiers dominate #24 Marquette
(Evan Fitzner has been a spark off the Hoosiers bench. Photo by the IndyStar)
By CALEB LYNN
ISL Contributor
BLOOMINGTON — The Indiana Hoosiers showed how dangerous they could be on Wednesday night. The back-court of Rob Phinisee, Romeo Langford, and the work by transfer Forward Evan Fitzner led to a win over #24 Marquette with the score of 96-73 at Assembly Hall.
Point Guard play for the Indiana Hoosiers has been an experiment this season as many thought Devonte Green would be more in line for the starting job. However, Phinisee has taken the spotlight and he may never let go of it.
Phinisee had 12 points and eight assists on Wednesday, and he led the defensive game plan against Marquette’s star player Markus Howard. The performance left his experienced teammate impressed.
“It was unbelievable to see,” Evan Fitzner said, “And it was impressive for a freshman to do something like that with drawing one of the better players in the country.”
For Indiana Head Coach Archie Miller, he knew the type of player that Robert Phinisee could be for this team and it showed in this game.
“He’s a stud,” Miller said. “There is not much to say and he arguably guarded the Big East Player of the Year for most of the game and held his own.”
🎥 Highlights from our 96-73 win over #24 Marquette!#IUBB pic.twitter.com/XVoSgxcnM5
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) November 15, 2018
Romeo Langford showed how he is capable of taking over the game as he dropped in 22 points on 8-of-15 from the field. For him and the new faces, this was a new environment for them.
“I thought the atmosphere was crazy,” Romeo Langford said, “Especially for my first experience against a ranked opponent in Assembly Hall.”
Langford and his explosiveness was praised by Coach Miller in the press conference.
“He had some fantastic drives and finishes,” Coach Miller said, “That is not a little guy jumping into you and his length is startling sometimes.”
This Hoosiers team might be a dream for Indiana fans. A couple stars, and a whole bunch of good pieces that fit around them. Deep. Talented. Good defense. Good coach. As I said before the year- Underrated. #iubb
— Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith_ISL) November 15, 2018
The “old guy” Evan Fitzner, delivered in a major way off the bench. He put in 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting and nailed all four of his 3-point shots. The Hoosiers didn’t have great 3-point shooting last year, but it’s already been a strength this season.
“He is a terrific offensive player,” Miller said of Fitzner. “He has to continue to work a little more on the defensive side on the ball but without question he fits our style and he broke the game open for us a couple of times which was good to see.”
The Hoosiers passed the first big test of their schedule, and have another one coming up in a few days. This Sunday, Indiana will travel to Arkansas for their first road game of the season. Win Sunday, and you’ll see the Hoosiers climb dramatically in the rankings.
