It's all love – @ModernFishingTV, @Cwat205, @JBlackmon2 + @CodyZeller. pic.twitter.com/FbW4xMQCL4
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
North Carolina vs. Indiana score, takeaways: Undefeated Hoosiers stay hot as Tar Heels' slide continues
Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis notched a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Indiana secured its fourth win over a ranked team under coach Mike Woodson and one its most important momentum-building moments Wednesday as the No. 10 Hoosiers downed No. 18 North Carolina 77-65 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge finale. Indiana led for more than 37 minutes of play in the impressive showing, stifling UNC on defense and sending it packing to extend the preseason No. 1 Tar Heels' losing streak to three.
Defense was the catalyst that keyed Indiana to its biggest win of the young season. Against a UNC team that came in ranked 11th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, IU held the Tar Heels to 20 of 59 (34%) shooting from the floor and converted 17 points off 10 forced turnovers in the game to lift it past the finish line.
Senior star Trayce Jackson-Davis was big as per usual for Indiana, turning in a game-high 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. But IU newbie Jalen Hood-Schifino was equally as important in what turned out to be a coming out party for him, adding a career-high 14 points to go with six rebounds. Senior backcourt partner Xavier Johnson added 20 points and 8 rebounds as Woodson went nine-deep into his bench to get nearly everyone involved in the action.
The passing from @IndianaMBB. 🤌 pic.twitter.com/jaxO5k1B1f
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 1, 2022
Wednesday night was the continuation of two quite opposite trajectories for both Indiana and for North Carolina, the latter of which has suffered three consecutive defeats dating back to its participation last week in the PK85. On the other hand, Indiana has now won its opening seven games, marking the first 7-0 start for the program since 2019-20.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
1. North Carolina has lost its swagger
It's hard to imagine, but less than eight months ago, the nucleus of this Carolina team -- missing only Brady Manek from its starting lineup for this year -- was playing Kansas in the NCAA championship having put together a magical March run. This team, as you might expect, garnered plenty of preseason buzz because of how it finished the season and who it brought back. This team, though, just has not clicked in the way it did to end last season. Its shot selection, particularly at the guard spots, has not been great; its shooting overall has been well below average, likely related to selection; and its stars have not been up to the task. It's not one thing that has derailed UNC's start to the season, but rather an accumulation of small things that have added up to make this team feel ... off. It was preseason No. 1 for a reason, and it has the goods to get back on track at some point, but its swagger has been stunted.
UNC is the first preseason No. 1 to lose three games before Christmas since Kentucky in 2012. pic.twitter.com/QM8XGxtSye
— CBS Sports CBB (@CBSSportsCBB) December 1, 2022
2. Indiana validating preseason hype
In what looked to be a wide-open Big Ten this season, Indiana earned love as the conference's preseason favorite in the media poll. And so far that seems like it was either spot on or really darn close to being spot on -- depending on what you think of Purdue or Illinois so far. A win over this version of North Carolina by no means signals Indiana has arrived, but it won in impressive fashion against a team that, while struggling, is still borderline top-25 caliber. This Hoosiers team is top-heavy and deep in a way that makes it on paper one of the true contenders in the Big Ten and beyond.
3. Jalen Hood-Schifino is a budding star
Trayce Jackson-Davis is a superstar who can carry Indiana regardless of the talent around him. You know senior Xavier Johnson is going to be steady. But Jalen Hood-Schifino's sudden arrival, if this is indeed prescriptive, can signal a different and more dangerous Indiana team may be bubbling. Hood-Schifino was a top-30 recruit coming out of high school, and he's already looking the part of a potential one-and-done with his length and smooth scoring ability. If his breakout against UNC is a sign of things to come, then he's a high-end luxury for a team that already had top-10 potential.
Jalen Hood-Schifino gets things started for @IndianaMBB ‼️ pic.twitter.com/SvFy6D7uJB
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 1, 2022
Live updates
Wokeuplikethis* 7-0 pic.twitter.com/1CbfLYDzK2
— TJD (@TrayceJackson) December 1, 2022
7-0. pic.twitter.com/m6vel0oztP
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
Final.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/wogMRbu44o
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 1, 2022
📊 Update
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
Jackson-Davis: 21 pts, 10 rebs, 4 assts
Johnson: 20 pts, 8 rebs, 4 assts
Hood-Schifino: 14 pts, 6 rebs, 2 assts
Galloway: 11 pts, 3 rebs, 2 assts
In 49 states, it’s just basketball. pic.twitter.com/IrTzdiYxk1
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
down 11 with 3:41 to go...
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 1, 2022
Armando - 53 career double-doubles. pic.twitter.com/mHnqnFgywM
The passing from @IndianaMBB. 🤌 pic.twitter.com/jaxO5k1B1f
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 1, 2022
17 points for TJD.
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
40 points in the paint for your Hoosiers. We’ve hit the last 3 of 3 shots + we’re shooting 51% overall.#IUBB 59, North Carolina 47 | 7:43 2H pic.twitter.com/hFiPbBqXmH
Need to make something shake.
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 1, 2022
P. Nance - 13 pts, 7 reb
IU 54, UNC 43 | 9:53 to go. pic.twitter.com/namNxmbZRq
That's ✌️ for Miller❗@millerkopp x @IndianaMBB pic.twitter.com/Z6f11FSEpV
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 1, 2022
🔋🔋🔋 pic.twitter.com/Vmcx5vHlGf
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
Halftime.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/bOibl4X2XC
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 1, 2022
Hoosiers at the half. pic.twitter.com/HzKaac3h31
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
TREY GALLOWAY. 😳@TreyGalloway32 x @IndianaMBB pic.twitter.com/NHrJNt8LNN
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 1, 2022
Heels trail by 8 | 3:26 1H
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 1, 2022
Shooting 25% from the field.
GALLO SLAM. 😤 pic.twitter.com/ng8PCl9grt
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
That fadeaway is tuff @peteln22
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 1, 2022
IU 21, UNC 20 | 7:41 1H pic.twitter.com/q517EGbBma
🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
It's very ᵛᵉʳʸ loud in here.
Armando Bacot is back on the floor after the shoulder injury earlier in the half. Good news for UNC. Not sure it would have a chance without him. Trayce Jackson-Davis is so impactful for IU in the paint it's going to need Bacot as much as it can have him.
Jalen Hood-Schifino leads all shooters with 7 points. The team is shooting 50%.
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
The Tar Heels have been held scoreless for over three minutes.#IUBB 12, North Carolina 8 | 11:56 1H pic.twitter.com/nQGHzVpW19
X gonna give it to 'em. 😤@XavierJ0hnson x @IndianaMBB pic.twitter.com/QlvfNbtE8i
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 1, 2022
Armando Bacot injured
UNC big man Armando Bacot already dealing with a nagging ankle injury and now he's dealing with a shoulder injury after colliding awkwardly with Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis early in the first half. Bacot went to the locker room for further evaluation but has already made his way back to the bench. He's among the toughest players in college hoops but could be a significant injury relevant to this game.
Jalen Hood-Schifino gets things started for @IndianaMBB ‼️ pic.twitter.com/SvFy6D7uJB
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 1, 2022
First time watching Jalen Hood-Schifino of Indiana tonight extensively beyond game snippets. Really impressed. Long, fluid athlete who can put it on the floor and attack. Finishes well with both hands. Not sure if he's a 2023 prospect or not but definitely on the radar as a potential first-rounder.
It's showtime on @espn 📺 pic.twitter.com/Mwa0sifMGL
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 1, 2022
It’s time for Indiana Basketball. pic.twitter.com/DrNLhFxv8N
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
Ready for 𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚. pic.twitter.com/aapkQ1ZnhD
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
A tradition unlike any other. pic.twitter.com/JRYVhLJQ2R
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) December 1, 2022
Starting five 🆚 Indiana pic.twitter.com/GUitRQaGd4
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 1, 2022