‘Nothing scientific about it’: Offensive deficiencies limit Indiana basketball as it continues to search for consistent style of play

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The offensive inconsistencies for Indiana basketball have been extremely evident all season long and it’s a theme that was on full display in Sunday’s 76-72 loss to Northwestern.

Indiana shot 50.9 percent from the floor but that doesn’t tell the whole story — or anywhere near.

Despite shooting 47.8 percent in the first half, eight turnovers, 2-of-8 from three and 2-of-5 from the free throw line limited Indiana to just 26 points.

Indiana had streaks of 3:00, 3:30 and 4:00 minutes where it failed to make a field goal.

“I thought early on when the game started we got good looks based on how they double teamed the ball. Just didn’t make shots early,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said postgame. “I mean, we had some really good looks. Gallo (Trey Galloway) had — I can look back — had three wide open ones that he just made one of the three. Mackenzie (Mgbako) didn’t make any early on.

“These are shots that when our guys aren’t being double teamed — Gabe (Cupps) made one — they got to step up and knock them down. Then it takes a little pressure off the guys being double teamed if we can start making shots when they were double teamed.”

Indiana saw an eight-point deficit at the half, in large part due to just scoring on 38.7 percent of its possessions and scoring .839 points per possession. Northwestern scored on 51.6 percent of its first half possessions and scored 1.097 points per possession.

Then, it was a second-half dominance from Indiana basketball on the offensive end, nearly doubling its score from the first half and scoring 46 points after halftime.

Indiana scored 1.352 points per possession and scored on 61.8 percent of its possessions.

How? Going small and utilizing some of its quickness to free up a lot of looks at the rim.

“I thought coming down the stretch running the pick and roll game we were able to open it up a bit when we went small to get Mackenzie and CJ (Gunn) who didn’t make one but good looks,” Woodson said. “Gallo had some good looks coming down the stretch as well as Gabe.”

“I think that sometimes we got a little bit passive in the first half compared to the second half,” Cupps said after the game. “We were much more aggressive and not on our heels as much. When you’re on your heels you make poor decisions that lead to turnovers.”

Indiana’s offense was spearheaded by the playmaking ability of Trey Galloway. Galloway finished with 12 assists — nine coming after halftime. Because of the floor spacing with a smaller lineup. Galloway utilized the pick and roll game with Ware to perfection.

“I think it’s just the pace we run it with,” Cupps said about the offense. “Obviously the last four minutes we were pushing the ball. We were running everything with pace, and we have athletic, quick guys, guys that can make plays. I think it’s just having a consistent pace, and we needed to it from the jump instead of waiting until our backs are against the wall.”

Although Indiana went small, it wasn’t the backcourt the benefited as IU’s starting guards were outscored 40-15 by Northwestern’s starting guards. Indiana, instead, was led by Kel’el Ware who had 22 points on 10-of-14 from the field. It was the combination of Ware and the small lineup with Mackenzie Mgabko at the 4 that gave Indiana basketball life. Mgbako scored 19 of his 20 points in the second half, including three 3s.

Mgbako continues to have success playing at the 4 because of his athleticism and versatility. He has shown the ability to play in the post against smaller defenders while still being able to knock down the open 3s as a much-needed floor spacer.

But, he continues to be used in that role on a limited basis.

“Yeah, we can experiment with that a little bit,” Woodson said of Mgbako’s fit at the 4. “It looked pretty good tonight, but they were small, too. You know, it didn’t hurt us. When teams are playing bigger 4s that can be tougher for Mackenzie as well. Can be tough for the guys that are possibly guarding him too as well. Something to think about.”

At the end of the day, Indiana’s offensive performance was saved because of the up-tempo pace it played with in the last few minutes of the game.

Indiana was down 16 points at the 6:17 mark and had just 47 points. It went on to score 25 points in 6:17 and 12 points in the final minute. It finished making 5-of-7 to close the game out.

Despite the finish, it doesn’t take away the inconsistencies that Indiana basketball has offensively. The multiple-minute segments without scoring or making a field goal have emerged every game for Indiana. Sometimes in the first half, the second half or in critical moments when IU needs to get a bucket.

While some of it is a matter of just ‘making shots’, there are real concerns over the lack of creativity with this Indiana basketball offense.

“Simple. You watched the same game I did. You got to make shots,” Woodson said. “We had some good looks and we just didn’t knock them down. Nothing scientific about it. We moved the ball well enough to get open shots. You got to step up and make them. It’s that simple.”

SEE ALSO: It was another dreadful home loss as self-inflicted mistakes continue to haunt Indiana basketball

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