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Indiana lost for the 10th time in 11 attempts on Saturday as the Hoosiers were crushed 84-63 by Minnesota at the Williams Arena. The defeat brought Indiana back to 13-12 overall and to 4-11 in the Big Ten.
Here are five things to remember about the loss:
• In a season full of disappointment, the Hoosiers have reached a new low: While many teams across the country are embarking on the next month's NCAA tournament, Indiana is heading in the opposite direction as the season kicks off.
Indiana played its worst game of the season Saturday at the Williams Arena and never challenged an average Minnesota team in a four-game losing streak.
Based on Indiana's play of the last six weeks, it is fair to conclude that Indiana peaked in November and December beating Marquette, Louisville and Butler.
Aside from his overtime victory earlier this month in East Lansing, Indiana did not accomplish anything as a team this calendar year. This group played with little enthusiasm and fought on Saturday and it appears that the coaching staff failed to make the necessary adjustments to straighten the ship.
The Hoosiers, like many teams, have their faults and their injuries have drastically lowered the ceiling of this group. But things should not be so bad.
• After the fact, Miller is referring to radical changes: The most remarkable comments from the Saturday post-match press conference were made by Archie Miller.
The second-year Indiana coach described the last setback for the Hoosiers as "breaking the deal" and suggested that some changes were underway.
"In my opinion, we need to make real radical changes to the way we do things now," said Miller. "We need to get the attention of some players and we need to help them play better."
What exactly does this mean?
Perhaps we will begin to get an answer to this question, just days before Indiana comes to Purdue on Tuesday in front of the Simon Skjodt meeting room.
• The Packline defense remains likely to give up the 3 pointsLast season, Indiana State and Fort Wayne burned Indiana behind the 3-point line in home defeats.
The Hoosiers corrected many of their defensive troubles as last season advanced and ranked with the league's fourth-best defense in conference play.
But after a good defensive start this season, Indiana's inability to run the bottom line properly allowed his opponents to feel comfortable with the distance.
Minnesota scored 12 of 22 attempts by 3 points on Saturday and in their last seven games, Indiana's opponents are averaging nine goals with 3 points per game and 42.2% shooting.
• Things are getting harder right hereDuring the pre-season, many said February was the time when the Indiana Big Ten's tough schedule would subside.
But after four straight defeats at home and three of the league's top-ranked teams in Bloomington, the situation could get worse quickly.
One of the most disturbing revelations after the defeat is that Indiana's leadership still does not understand why this team is not ready to play at the beginning of the games.
"People have to play with a better sense of urgency," Juwan Morgan said. "I think going out the doors, it's just too lethargic."
"For us right now, we are not playing at a pretty urgent pace on both sides," said Miller. "I just spoke here and how this game was felt, the amount of loose balls, 50 to 50 rebounds and a basket containing broken pieces. There is just not enough nonsense to get by now. "
• Thompson is back: One of the good things about the loss was the return of Race Thompson, who has not played since early November after suffering a concussion.
Thompson recorded seven minutes, scored two points and added five rebounds, two shots blocked and one robbery.
Getting a few minutes of Thompson during the season might be helpful, as the Minnesota native will likely be vying for a bigger role next year as a sophomore redshirt.
(Photo credit: Brad Rempel / GopherSports.com)
Classified in: Minnesota Golden Gophers
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