IU loses two at Maui Invitational

The Maui Invitational didn’t necessarily start as planned for the Indiana Hoosiers, but they had a chance to right their wrongs against the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, but once again, the Hoosiers couldn’t get it done.

IN shot just 40 percent in the second half, not able to put Wake away despite the Deacons putting up two scoreless stretches lasting four and a half minutes apiece in the final 20 minutes and finishing the game with eight missed free throws. They did this by doing a fantastic job of getting to the foul line and knocking down free throws. IN guard Nick Zeisloft had a team-high 17 for IN and guard James Blackmon Jr. scored 13 points to go with seven rebounds and three assists. “But we wanted to limit minutes”. Sitting between his oldest son and UNLV President Len Jessup, Mike Carter waved his finger like Dikembe Mutombo, cooking like Lil B and had as much fun cheering as his old friend Bill Walton did commentating. “I’m just proud of how we’re playing. But we played with great objective”, Crean said. Senior Ike Nwamu was instrumental in helping the Rebels build an early 22-9 advantage, scoring on a pair of breakaway dunks and finishing with 16 points.

“When we got the lead, certainly that was something that was in the back of my mind”, Stallings said. “We really appreciate being here, IN really appreciates being here”. “But they played a very good ballgame”. “He can’t do that”. However, the more pressing questions will obviously come more from the IN side, as this was a team expected to compete for the Big Ten title this year. The Commodores are one of the strongest offensive teams in the nation due to their excellent ball movement, outside shooting and talent in the paint so it was a good test for an inexperienced roster looking to develop as the season progresses. IN had 21 turnovers that led to 22 points for the Runnin’ Rebels.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Justin Jackson had 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead a balanced effort for ninth-ranked North Carolina, which bounced back from a surprising loss over the weekend to beat Northwestern in the CBE Classic semifinals.

“I’d much rather have a team that you have to slow down some than one that you can’t get to play at a high level of speed”, Crean said. They came away with a victory (even if it came in the consolation bracket). They’re coming all over. It was a rough night for Bryant McIntosh, though, as he only hit on 3 of his 15 field goals, with Northwestern needing him if they wanted to pull the upset. “So we’ll get better with it. We’ll get better”.

The Hoosiers got within three points twice in the final 30 seconds.

After the teams were knotted up in the second half, UNLV distanced itself from IU with a 9-2 run, capped off by a 3-pointer from Nwamu.

Indiana: Reserve forward Juwan Morgan was carried off the court by two teammates after he was injured in a pileup on the baseline with about six minutes left.

Crean said he wouldn’t change the play. We don’t have the front line that we thought we were going to have.