Indiana’s highly anticipated and promising five-game winning streak was abruptly halted in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament by a resounding defeat at the hands of Nebraska, with a final score of 93-66. As a result, Nebraska has advanced to the semifinals at Minneapolis’ Target Center where they will face off against Illinois.
The game highlighted a stark clash of playing styles, with Indiana favouring an inside-out approach while Nebraska continuously launched 3-pointers. Nebraska’s impressive 14-of-32 shooting from beyond the arc overshadowed Indiana’s 5-of-20 performance. Notably, Keisei Tominaga contributed 23 points with four successful 3-pointers, further solidifying Nebraska’s dominance over Indiana.
Remarkably, as the first half drew to a close, the Cornhuskers went on a spectacular 17-0 run, leaving Indiana trailing with a 50-27 deficit at halftime. The Hoosiers failed to make a single field goal in the last 6 minutes and 17 seconds of the first half, allowing Nebraska to assume complete control of the game with five 3-pointers.
Indiana’s offensive struggles were compounded by Nebraska’s defensive strategy of crowding the paint and providing substantial help defence whenever an Indiana player penetrated the 15-foot mark. In response, Indiana failed to adapt, resulting in numerous turnovers and an overall lack of offensive cohesion. Despite CJ Gunn’s 17-point contribution, Indiana’s top scorers, Malik Reneau and Kel’el Ware, could only muster a combined 17 points.
The unfortunate loss not only signifies the end of Indiana’s Big Ten tournament aspirations, but also marks the conclusion of their meaningful games for the season. Despite a notable winning streak, Indiana ultimately succumbed to insurmountable obstacles against Nebraska.
As Indiana’s Big Ten tournament campaign draws to a close, the defeat serves as a poignant reminder of their shortcomings, particularly their inability to keep up with Nebraska’s long-range shooting. With the post-season coming to an end, Indiana must now direct their focus towards the transfer portal and future opportunities to fortify their team for the upcoming season.