Feb 7, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Miller Kopp (12) shoots the ball while Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Cam Spencer (10) defends in the second half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
It finally happened. After four years, Indiana finally beat Rutgers to end a six game losing streak in the series. The Hoosiers jumped out to a early lead but the Scarlet Knights continued to fight back as they always do. A one possession game late was followed by a a few missed opportunities. The final score was 66-60.
“We were down 14 in this game. They had the momentum,” head coach Steve Pikiell said after the game. “They had everything. We kept fighting. We fought the whole time. It’s a one possession game with three minutes left. I look at these things and I just say the disparity there, you cannot defend the foul line, so you can’t put people on there. That’s something that we talk about and preach. You’ve got to defend without fouling. It was a huge advantage for him, but give him the credit. They got there. Trayce Jackson-Davis was a problem. They made some plays. Miller (Kopp) made some big baskets for him too when it was kind of getting close. Give them credit and it’s a tough, tough environment. They’re playing as well as anybody in the country. We have to battle back and it doesn’t get any easier here. We’re still on the road again. Three straight trips here on the road away from Jersey Mike’s. It’s not easy right now.”
Scroll below for game highlights, postgame press conferences for both Steve Pikiell and Mike Woodson, my rapid reaction video and the Rutgers box score.
Game Highlights
Rutgers Presser
Indiana Presser
AB’s Rapid Reaction
Rutgers Full Box Score
#
Player
PTS
FG
3FG
FT
OR
DR
REB
A
PF
TO
BL
ST
MIN
+/-
4*
MULCAHY, PAUL
2
1-4
0-0
0-2
1
4
5
5
4
3
0
3
31
-4
5*
HYATT, AUNDRE
9
3-8
2-7
1-2
1
3
4
2
0
0
0
0
27
-1
10*
SPENCER, CAM
14
5-11
2-5
2-2
1
3
4
1
0
3
0
3
32
-1
11*
OMORUYI, CLIFFO
15
6-12
0-1
3-4
2
2
4
0
4
2
0
0
32
-6
22*
MCCONNELL, CALE
2
1-12
0-4
0-0
3
5
8
2
3
0
1
2
37
-16
0
SIMPSON, DEREK
7
3-5
1-3
0-0
1
2
3
1
2
0
0
0
18
6
1
PALMQUIST, OSKA
9
3-4
3-4
0-0
1
1
2
0
2
1
0
0
13
-11
2
MILLER, JALEN
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
3
3
13
WOOLFOLK, ANTWO
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
-4
21
REIBER, DEAN
2
1-2
0-1
0-0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
TM
TEAM
–
–
–
0
0
0
0
1
TOTALS
60
23-58
8-25
6-10
11
20
31
11
17
10
1
8
GAME PCT
39.7
32.0
60.0
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You have to admire Rutgers’ resilience in being able to come back from a double digit deficit to actually put themselves into an opportunity to pull this game out. But, I couldn’t help notice Jackson-Davis’ performance (20pts, 18 rebounds, 6 assists) compared to Omoruyi’s 15pts, 4 rebounds, 0 assists). McConnell shot 1 for 12 from the field (0-4 on 3pt attempts) while Mulcahy was 1 for 4 shot attempts. To me, this goes directly to the problems surrounding the inconsistency of this team’s offense. The ball didn’t get inside to Omoruyi enough and, when it did, NO assists resulted due to a combination of poor decision making on his part, or a lack of player movement, or a lack of shot making. Compare that to the play of Jackson-Davis – 6 assists (never mind his 18 rebounds). He knows how to play in the post and Omoruyi’s development as a post player is lacking by comparison, despite freakish athleticism.
We know McConnell is perhaps the best defensive guard out there but, time and again in games, his shot selection and lack of awareness of the game situation on the offensive end is frustrating for a player with his experience. He’s not being asked to carry the offense! It’s in explicable to me that PM was so passive in this game taking only 4 shots while McConnell took more shots than Spencer. I realize that this could have been a situation where players lacked focus because of the realization that Mag is gone for the season. Let’s hope they can overcome Mag’s loss and redefine roles as necessary. By the way, I listened to Woodson’s post game presser. He pointed out that most teams don’t give Kopp good looks but Rutgers did. Kopp scored 18pts and was 4 of 6 on 3pt attempts after scoring 21pts against Rutgers in the 1st meeting. You wonder how that happens against a Rutgers defense.
Pikiell said in his presser they picked their poison. They intentionally swarm TJD and Indiana was good at finding Kopp open both games. It didn’t work against TJD like the first time because Mag was there last time with Cliff.
Geez! The one time that I didn’t watch Pikiell’s post game presser…
Thanks for setting me straight and thanks also for the great coverage after every game.
pj43
February 8, 2023 at 7:49 pm
You have to admire Rutgers’ resilience in being able to come back from a double digit deficit to actually put themselves into an opportunity to pull this game out. But, I couldn’t help notice Jackson-Davis’ performance (20pts, 18 rebounds, 6 assists) compared to Omoruyi’s 15pts, 4 rebounds, 0 assists). McConnell shot 1 for 12 from the field (0-4 on 3pt attempts) while Mulcahy was 1 for 4 shot attempts. To me, this goes directly to the problems surrounding the inconsistency of this team’s offense. The ball didn’t get inside to Omoruyi enough and, when it did, NO assists resulted due to a combination of poor decision making on his part, or a lack of player movement, or a lack of shot making. Compare that to the play of Jackson-Davis – 6 assists (never mind his 18 rebounds). He knows how to play in the post and Omoruyi’s development as a post player is lacking by comparison, despite freakish athleticism.
We know McConnell is perhaps the best defensive guard out there but, time and again in games, his shot selection and lack of awareness of the game situation on the offensive end is frustrating for a player with his experience. He’s not being asked to carry the offense! It’s in explicable to me that PM was so passive in this game taking only 4 shots while McConnell took more shots than Spencer. I realize that this could have been a situation where players lacked focus because of the realization that Mag is gone for the season. Let’s hope they can overcome Mag’s loss and redefine roles as necessary. By the way, I listened to Woodson’s post game presser. He pointed out that most teams don’t give Kopp good looks but Rutgers did. Kopp scored 18pts and was 4 of 6 on 3pt attempts after scoring 21pts against Rutgers in the 1st meeting. You wonder how that happens against a Rutgers defense.
Aaron Breitman
February 8, 2023 at 10:23 pm
Pikiell said in his presser they picked their poison. They intentionally swarm TJD and Indiana was good at finding Kopp open both games. It didn’t work against TJD like the first time because Mag was there last time with Cliff.
pj43
February 9, 2023 at 6:29 pm
Geez! The one time that I didn’t watch Pikiell’s post game presser…
Thanks for setting me straight and thanks also for the great coverage after every game.