Sheehey has string of career-highs, wins tournament MVP

His number would be called early and often Sunday night, and just like he has done all season, he delivered, this time in an MVP-type effort.

For the second time in three games, sophomore forward Will Sheehey set a career high, scoring 21 points to be named MVP of the Hoosier Invitational after IU’s 75-59 win against Butler on Sunday night.

Sheehey averaged 14.3 points during the tournament’s four games.

This marks the third straight game Sheehey has matched or set his career high in points, and his teammates have taken notice of the sophomore’s energy.

“He could start for us,” junior guard Jordan Hulls said. “We have a lot of guys that could start, but it’s good that Will doesn’t care. He comes in and gives great minutes, and it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

Similar to the rest of the Hoosier offense Sunday night, it took a little while for Sheehey to become comfortable. He missed three of his first four shots but made his last four. Sheehey scored 15 points in the second half.

“He didn’t force things, which was important tonight,” IU Coach Tom Crean said. “He’s had a really good week. He’s been locked in, and he’s coming off last week, where he was good. I’m proud of the way he’s playing.”

In both halves Sunday night, Sheehey was the first Hoosier substituted in. He said he takes pride in that role.

“All the coaches really want me to come in and provide that energy off the bench,” Sheehey said. “That’s something I try and bring every game, not just our ‘rivalry’ games.”

Last Monday against Gardner-Webb, Sheehey went on a personal 10-0 run, and he was back at it again Sunday.

With 12:56 remaining in the second half and IU up 38-35, Sheehey scored the Hoosiers’ next six points, pushing the lead to seven.

The Bulldogs wouldn’t recover from there.

As he played a career-high 31 minutes, Sheehey’s presence was felt on the defensive end. After Butler guard Chrishawn Hopkins scored 13 points in the first half, Sheehey kept the sophomore without a field goal attempt in the second half.

“Will wanted the matchup, and it’s something we’re comfortable with, but he went there and did something with it,” Crean said. “Will really did a great job of reading the game and taking the shots that were there, attacking, move the ball, and he was tremendous defensively.”

Crean credited the turning point of the game to Sheehey’s acceptance of the defensive assignment against Hopkins.

Hopkins’ last field goal of the game came at the 18:54 mark of the second half, with Butler leading 32-31, the last lead the Bulldogs would have.

“He’s got a real innate ability to read situations,” Crean said. “I always call him our back-line captain because if we were a pressing team, we’d have him in the back where he could really talk to his teammates.

Well, he was doing that while he was guarding other really good players tonight. He’s a great example tonight of your defense getting your offense going at a high rate.”

The ability to get to the line has been an added bonus to Sheehey’s game this season. He was 8-10 from the line Sunday night.

The Hoosiers have kept the same starting five in their first six games this season. Though there is no need to mess with success, Crean said he knows he has another starter just a few seats down from him.

“He could easily be in the starting lineup,” Crean said. “He’s a smart player. He’s cerebral. He’s very aggressive, and he’s got an attack mentality, and that came alive
tonight.”