Ohio State shoots past IU, 85-67

Ohio State tied an Assembly Hall record with 13 made 3-pointers and finished shooting 60.5 percent from the field in an 85-67 victory against the IU men’s basketball team Friday in Assembly Hall.

The No. 2 Buckeyes (14-0, 1-0) opened the game with guns blazing, hitting 15-of-21 in the first half as they built a steady 13-point halftime advantage over the Hoosiers (9-6, 0-2).

"The game plan was to be in the zone, and the way we practice doesn't mirror at all the way we come into the game," IU coach Tom Crean said of the defensive struggles. "In practice we move on the pass, in the game we move on the catch. We don't have our hands up. There isn't as much ball pressure."

Seven of OSU’s 15 made field goals in the first half were from the 3-point line, and the trend continued throughout the game. Buckeyes guards Jon Diebler (5-of-5) and William Buford (5-of-7) combined for 30 points from beyond the arc alone. Buford led all scorers with 24 points.

"As I said to the team, it's not like we go to office and say, 'OK, let's do nine different things in practice now,'" Crean said. "We're doing the same things that we do, we're just not doing them well enough."

IU sophomore forward Christian Watford led an IU attack that, despite what the 18-point margin of defeat would indicate, was overall efficient with 17 points. The Hoosiers shot better than 50 percent from the field and won points in the paint, points off turnovers and fast break points.

In the second half, the Hoosiers held the Buckeyes to just 47 percent shooting from the field, but they created more opportunities at the foul line.

Three IU players, including freshman guard Victor Oladipo and his 14 points, fouled out Friday. OSU finished with a 38-14 advantage in free throw attempts, converting on 68 percent of its tries.

IU will hit the road for the first time in the Big Ten season when it goes to Minnesota on Tuesday. The Hoosiers do not have another game at home until Jan. 15 against Michigan.