Hoosiers' stout defense shuts down Montana St. 80-35
AP
Nov 09, 2018
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) Indiana Hoosiers coach Archie Miller watched his team put on another defensive clinic Friday night.
If the Hoosiers keep it up, there's no telling how much better they could be this season.
Juwan Morgan had 14 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, Justin Smith added 13 points to help the Hoosiers roll past Montana State Bobcats 80-35 - the second-fewest points Indiana has ever allowed at Assembly Hall.
''Our defense has to be a quick, tenacious defense that flies around,'' Miller said. ''We don't have a lot of size but we have length, we have speed and we have a lot of it.''
The Bobcats (0-2) found out the hard way as they lost their ninth straight.
Miller kept trying to send his defense-first message last season, getting mixed results in his first season with the Hoosiers.
Now, though, players seem to have embraced the philosophy. Indiana has given up just 90 points and eight 3-pointers in its first two games while allowing opponents to shoot 28.7 percent from the field and forcing 45 turnovers.
It marked the first time since an 80-37 victory over Morehead State in December 1978 that any opponent failed to score at least 40 points on the Hoosiers' home court and only Notre Dame, which lost 94-29 in the first game ever played at Assembly Hall on Dec. 18, 1971, finished with fewer points.
The timing couldn't be better, either.
After starting 2-0 for the 10th time in 11 seasons, the young Hoosiers have four days to prepare for their first serious test against Marquette, a team Miller called one of the best offensive teams in the country.
Indiana is eager to see how it measures up.
''We try to not play down to and we try not to play up the competition. We try to stay at a steady level,'' Morgan said. ''I think just going through it in practice, making the practices harder than games, I think they will be ready.
They certainly came to play Friday, turning the game into an early blowout.
The Hoosiers broke to an 8-2 lead, extended the margin to 24-12 and put it away with a 10-0 run that made it 36-13 late in the first half. Montana State missed 10 straight shots during the stretch.
Not enough? Indiana opened the second half by scoring the first eight points to make it 51-19, steadily extending the lead to as much as 47.
Keljin Blevins was the only Montana State player to score in double figures - he finished with 13 - but coach Brian Fish thought his undermanned team did the best it could.
''They played good (defense), but I like some of the shots we got and they didn't go down,'' he said. ''But I think they had a lot to do with that and we can learn from it.''
BIG PICTURE
Montana State: The Bobcats couldn't match Indiana's size, strength or depth and it showed. But the road should get a little easier for Montana State.
Indiana: The Hoosiers cruised, as expected, on a night the highly-touted freshman class was mostly held in check. Still Indiana demonstrated how much progress it's made under Miller.
STAT PACK
Montana State: The Bobcats have lost their first two games by 30 and 55 points. ... They had 25 turnovers and were 14 of 55 from the field and 3 of 26 on 3-pointers. ... Montana State's top two scorers, Tyler Hall and Harald Frey, had seven and four points.
Indiana: Freshmen guards Romeo Langford and Rob Phinisee each scored 12. ... Despite going 6 of 21 on 3s, the Hoosiers shot 56.1 percent from the field (32 of 57). ... Indiana had a 40-35 rebounding advantage.
INJURY UPDATE
Miller doesn't expect Injured forward Jerome Hunter to return anytime soon.
''He's going to be out probably for a significant stretch here as we continue to try and figure out and find ways to get his diagnosis done, find out what the correct way of handling it is, and then see where the next step is,'' Miller said. ''It's sort of a leg injury, but it's not a typical leg injury that is an injury caused by practicing or something. It's more of an underlying effect that's causing him some pain.''
UP NEXT
Montana State looks to end its skid Sunday when Presentation College, an NAIA school, visits Bozeman.
Indiana welcomes Marquette to Bloomington on Wednesday.
---
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1st Half
MTST
Bobcats
19
IND
Hoosiers
43
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Indiana
19:37
+2
Justin Smith made layup, assist by Zach McRoberts
0-2
19:09
+2
Keljin Blevins made jump shot
2-2
18:44
+2
Juwan Morgan made layup, assist by Romeo Langford
2-4
18:22
Bad pass turnover on Russell Daniels, stolen by Zach McRoberts
18:20
+2
Zach McRoberts made layup
2-6
17:59
Traveling violation turnover on Devin Kirby
17:51
+2
Juwan Morgan made layup
2-8
17:35
Tyler Hall missed jump shot
17:33
Defensive rebound by Romeo Langford
17:27
Justin Smith missed layup
17:25
Defensive rebound by Keljin Blevins
17:22
+3
Tyler Hall made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Russell Daniels
5-8
17:09
Romeo Langford missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:07
Defensive rebound by Tyler Hall
16:58
Tyler Hall missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:56
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
16:49
Lost ball turnover on Juwan Morgan, stolen by Tyler Hall
16:40
+2
Keljin Blevins made layup
7-8
16:10
+2
Justin Smith made layup, assist by Romeo Langford
7-10
16:01
Traveling violation turnover on Russell Daniels
15:28
Rob Phinisee missed layup
15:26
Offensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
15:20
+2
Juwan Morgan made tip-in
7-12
15:04
Keljin Blevins missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:02
Offensive rebound by Devin Kirby
14:55
Keljin Blevins missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:53
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
14:45
+2
Romeo Langford made layup
7-14
14:45
Personal foul on Ladan Ricketts
14:45
+1
Romeo Langford made free throw
7-15
14:33
Tyler Hall missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:31
Defensive rebound by Romeo Langford
14:26
Kicked ball violation on Montana State
14:01
+2
Juwan Morgan made layup, assist by Evan Fitzner
7-17
13:33
+2
Harald Frey made layup
9-17
13:20
+3
Rob Phinisee made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Aljami Durham
9-20
12:52
Bad pass turnover on Harald Frey
12:32
Offensive foul on Aljami Durham
12:32
Turnover on Aljami Durham
12:16
+3
Ladan Ricketts made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Lassi Nikkarinen
12-20
11:58
+2
Evan Fitzner made jump shot, assist by Devonte Green
12-22
11:44
Personal foul on Aljami Durham
11:28
Lost ball turnover on Tyler Hall
11:09
+2
Evan Fitzner made jump shot, assist by Zach McRoberts
12-24
10:55
Tyler Hall missed layup
10:53
Offensive rebound by Sam Neumann
10:47
Sam Neumann missed jump shot
10:47
Offensive rebound by Ladan Ricketts
10:47
Tyler Hall missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:45
Defensive rebound by Romeo Langford
10:45
Personal foul on Russell Daniels
10:45
Romeo Langford missed 1st of 2 free throws
10:45
Defensive rebound by Russell Daniels
10:45
Romeo Langford missed 2nd of 2 free throws
10:45
Offensive rebound by De'Ron Davis
10:29
De'Ron Davis missed jump shot
10:29
Defensive rebound by Ladan Ricketts
10:29
Ladan Ricketts missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:27
Defensive rebound by Damezi Anderson
10:11
De'Ron Davis missed jump shot
10:09
Defensive rebound by Usman Haruna
10:01
Lost ball turnover on Russell Daniels, stolen by De'Ron Davis
9:56
Personal foul on Ladan Ricketts
9:56
+1
Devonte Green made free throw
12-25
9:54
+1
Devonte Green made 2nd of 2 free throws
12-26
9:51
Personal foul on De'Ron Davis
9:38
Keljin Blevins missed 1st of 2 free throws
9:15
Evan Fitzner missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:38
+1
Keljin Blevins made 2nd of 2 free throws
13-26
9:15
Evan Fitzner missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:13
Defensive rebound by Devin Kirby
8:55
Lost ball turnover on Russell Daniels, stolen by Devonte Green
8:38
Damezi Anderson missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:36
Defensive rebound by Harald Frey
8:30
Tyler Hall missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:30
Offensive rebound by Devin Kirby
8:30
Personal foul on Juwan Morgan
8:22
Personal foul on Damezi Anderson
8:11
Harald Frey missed layup, blocked by Justin Smith
8:09
Offensive rebound by Keljin Blevins
7:59
Harald Frey missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:57
Offensive rebound by Devin Kirby
7:57
Shot clock violation turnover on Montana State
7:43
Justin Smith missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:41
Defensive rebound by Harald Frey
7:25
Offensive foul on Devin Kirby
7:25
Turnover on Devin Kirby
7:12
Kicked ball violation on Montana State
7:04
Personal foul on Devin Kirby
7:04
Juwan Morgan missed 1st of 2 free throws
6:50
Lost ball turnover on Keljin Blevins, stolen by Justin Smith
7:04
+1
Juwan Morgan made 2nd of 2 free throws
13-27
6:50
Lost ball turnover on Keljin Blevins, stolen by Justin Smith
6:46
Offensive foul on Rob Phinisee
6:46
Turnover on Rob Phinisee
6:35
Tyler Hall missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:33
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
6:23
+3
Romeo Langford made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Justin Smith
13-30
5:49
Harald Frey missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:47
Offensive rebound by Montana State
5:47
Shot clock violation turnover on Montana State
5:34
+2
Juwan Morgan made layup, assist by Justin Smith
13-32
5:12
Ladan Ricketts missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:09
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
5:06
Devonte Green missed jump shot
5:04
Offensive rebound by Justin Smith
5:04
+2
Justin Smith made tip-in
13-34
4:37
Traveling violation turnover on Usman Haruna
4:20
+2
Justin Smith made layup, assist by Juwan Morgan
13-36
3:50
Bad pass turnover on Harald Frey, stolen by Justin Smith
3:41
Romeo Langford missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:39
Defensive rebound by Keljin Blevins
3:34
Keljin Blevins missed jump shot
3:32
Defensive rebound by Devonte Green
3:22
Rob Phinisee missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:20
Defensive rebound by Harald Frey
3:14
+2
Keljin Blevins made layup, assist by Harald Frey
15-36
3:04
Personal foul on Sam Neumann
3:04
Justin Smith missed 1st of 2 free throws
2:53
Ladan Ricketts missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:04
+1
Justin Smith made 2nd of 2 free throws
15-37
2:53
Ladan Ricketts missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:51
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
2:40
Devonte Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:38
Offensive rebound by Evan Fitzner
2:28
Personal foul on Sam Neumann
2:28
+1
Juwan Morgan made 1st of 2 free throws
15-38
2:28
Juwan Morgan missed 2nd of 2 free throws
2:28
Defensive rebound by Keljin Blevins
2:16
+2
Tyler Hall made layup, assist by Russell Daniels
17-38
2:04
Romeo Langford missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:02
Defensive rebound by Russell Daniels
1:54
Lost ball turnover on Tyler Hall
1:33
+2
Rob Phinisee made layup, assist by Devonte Green
17-40
1:33
Personal foul on Sam Neumann
1:33
+1
Rob Phinisee made free throw
17-41
1:23
Keljin Blevins missed jump shot
1:22
Offensive rebound by Devin Kirby
1:22
Personal foul on Evan Fitzner
1:22
Devin Kirby missed free throw
1:22
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
1:15
Lost ball turnover on Devonte Green
1:02
+2
Keljin Blevins made layup, assist by Russell Daniels
19-41
1:01
Personal foul on Evan Fitzner
1:01
Keljin Blevins missed free throw
1:01
Defensive rebound by Justin Smith
49.0
Devonte Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
47.0
Defensive rebound by Devin Kirby
34.0
Keljin Blevins missed 3-pt. jump shot
32.0
Defensive rebound by Devonte Green
2.0
+2
Juwan Morgan made layup, assist by Devonte Green
19-43
2nd Half
MTST
Bobcats
16
IND
Hoosiers
37
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:48
Keljin Blevins missed layup
19:39
Offensive rebound by Devin Kirby
19:39
Devin Kirby missed dunk
19:35
+2
Justin Smith made layup
19-45
19:02
Tyler Hall missed jump shot
19:02
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
19:02
Personal foul on Tyler Hall
19:02
+2
Romeo Langford made layup, assist by Rob Phinisee
19-47
18:41
Personal foul on Devonte Green
18:22
Lost ball turnover on Lassi Nikkarinen
18:02
+2
Romeo Langford made dunk, assist by Juwan Morgan
19-49
17:39
Tyler Hall missed jump shot
17:37
Defensive rebound by Rob Phinisee
17:31
+2
Justin Smith made dunk, assist by Juwan Morgan
19-51
17:29
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
17:24
Ladan Ricketts missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:22
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
17:13
Offensive foul on Devonte Green
17:13
Turnover on Devonte Green
16:59
Ladan Ricketts missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:57
Offensive rebound by Keljin Blevins
16:57
Flagrant foul on Justin Smith
16:57
+1
Keljin Blevins made 1st of 2 free throws
20-51
16:57
+1
Keljin Blevins made 2nd of 2 free throws
21-51
16:32
Ladan Ricketts missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:30
Defensive rebound by Juwan Morgan
16:18
Bad pass turnover on Devonte Green, stolen by Tyler Hall
16:15
Lost ball turnover on Tyler Hall, stolen by Devonte Green
16:15
Personal foul on Harald Frey
16:00
+2
Romeo Langford made dunk, assist by Devonte Green
21-53
15:35
Traveling violation turnover on Devin Kirby
15:20
Personal foul on Sam Neumann
15:16
Traveling violation turnover on Romeo Langford
14:55
Harald Frey missed layup
14:53
Defensive rebound by Evan Fitzner
14:49
Offensive foul on Aljami Durham
14:49
Turnover on Aljami Durham
14:34
Traveling violation turnover on Usman Haruna
14:21
+3
Aljami Durham made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Juwan Morgan
21-56
14:11
Offensive foul on Zeke Quinlan
14:11
Turnover on Zeke Quinlan
13:46
+2
Evan Fitzner made jump shot
21-58
13:25
+3
Ladan Ricketts made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tyler Hall
24-58
13:10
Personal foul on Zeke Quinlan
13:10
+1
De'Ron Davis made 1st of 2 free throws
24-59
13:10
+1
De'Ron Davis made 2nd of 2 free throws
24-60
12:57
Tyler Hall missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:55
Defensive rebound by Devonte Green
12:47
Damezi Anderson missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:45
Offensive rebound by De'Ron Davis
12:38
+2
De'Ron Davis made hook shot
24-62
12:24
Keljin Blevins missed layup
12:22
Defensive rebound by Evan Fitzner
12:15
+2
Aljami Durham made layup, assist by Devonte Green
24-64
12:15
Devin Kirby missed jump shot, blocked by De'Ron Davis
12:15
Defensive rebound by Aljami Durham
11:43
Lost ball turnover on Damezi Anderson, stolen by Keljin Blevins
11:26
Personal foul on Devonte Green
11:26
Devin Kirby missed 1st of 2 free throws
11:26
+1
Devin Kirby made 2nd of 2 free throws
25-64
11:06
+3
Rob Phinisee made 3-pt. jump shot
25-67
10:46
+2
Tyler Hall made jump shot
27-67
10:41
Personal foul on Harald Frey
10:18
Aljami Durham missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:16
Defensive rebound by Keljin Blevins
10:10
Keljin Blevins missed layup, blocked by Aljami Durham
10:08
Offensive rebound by Montana State
10:06
Keljin Blevins missed layup, blocked by De'Ron Davis
10:04
Defensive rebound by De'Ron Davis
9:40
+2
De'Ron Davis made layup, assist by Damezi Anderson
27-69
9:25
Bad pass turnover on Tyler Hall, stolen by Damezi Anderson
9:10
+2
De'Ron Davis made layup
27-71
8:59
+2
Harald Frey made jump shot
29-71
8:47
3-second violation turnover on De'Ron Davis
8:32
Offensive foul on Keljin Blevins
8:32
Turnover on Keljin Blevins
8:10
Aljami Durham missed layup
8:08
Offensive rebound by Jake Forrester
8:01
Jake Forrester missed layup
7:59
Defensive rebound by Sam Neumann
7:47
Tyler Hall missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:45
Offensive rebound by Sam Neumann
7:33
+2
Devin Kirby made jump shot
31-71
7:25
+3
Rob Phinisee made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Aljami Durham
31-74
7:09
Sam Neumann missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:07
Defensive rebound by Aljami Durham
6:43
Aljami Durham missed jump shot
6:41
Defensive rebound by Usman Haruna
6:24
Harald Frey missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:22
Defensive rebound by Clifton Moore
6:07
Jake Forrester missed jump shot
6:07
Offensive rebound by Clifton Moore
6:07
Personal foul on Sam Neumann
6:07
+1
Clifton Moore made 1st of 2 free throws
31-75
6:07
Clifton Moore missed 2nd of 2 free throws
6:07
Defensive rebound by Usman Haruna
5:51
Usman Haruna missed layup
5:49
Defensive rebound by Clifton Moore
5:36
Aljami Durham missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:34
Defensive rebound by Lassi Nikkarinen
5:27
Bad pass turnover on Keljin Blevins, stolen by Aljami Durham
5:27
Offensive foul on Jake Forrester
5:27
Turnover on Jake Forrester
5:12
Keljin Blevins missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:10
Defensive rebound by Devonte Green
5:02
Aljami Durham missed layup
5:00
Offensive rebound by Damezi Anderson
4:54
+3
Damezi Anderson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by De'Ron Davis
31-78
4:38
+2
Usman Haruna made layup, assist by Harald Frey
33-78
4:16
Damezi Anderson missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:14
Defensive rebound by Lassi Nikkarinen
3:58
Harald Frey missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:56
Offensive rebound by Montana State
3:35
Lost ball turnover on Tyler Hall, stolen by Johnny Jager
3:21
Johnny Jager missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:19
Defensive rebound by Maximilian Schuecker
3:07
Lassi Nikkarinen missed layup, blocked by De'Ron Davis
3:05
Defensive rebound by De'Ron Davis
3:00
+2
Race Thompson made layup, assist by Johnny Jager
33-80
2:34
+2
Keljin Blevins made layup, assist by Tyler Hall
35-80
2:22
Offensive foul on De'Ron Davis
2:22
Turnover on De'Ron Davis
2:03
Bad pass turnover on Keljin Blevins, stolen by Johnny Jager