While you were out

Indiana 69 Notre Dame 58, Dec. 17

In the Hoosiers’ lowest scoring output to that point, IU ground out another double-digit victory to start winter break. After facing an early 15-6 deficit, IU defense clamped down in allowing just four made field goals in the first half for the Irish. A depleted Irish frontline had no answer for freshman Cody Zeller, who scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The win in Indianapolis snapped a five-game losing streak in the state
capital for the Hoosiers.

Indiana 107 Howard 50, Dec. 19

Moving to 11-0 during the season for the first time since 1975-76, the Hoosiers hit nine three-pointers in the first half and had six players score in double figures. The score of 107 points is the highest by an IU team since 1999. IU had 27 assists for 35 made field goals, which is the most in the Tom Crean era.

Indiana 89 UMBC 47, Dec. 22

For the first time this season, the Hoosiers battled injury problems as they played without top reserves junior Derek Elston and sophomore Will Sheehey, along with senior Verdell Jones III leaving the game late in the first half. Senior Matt Roth started in place of Jones in the second half and scored 14 points on four made three-pointers. Junior forward Christian Watford had 22 points and 10 rebounds. Along with the injuries, perhaps the only downside for Hoosier fans was watching the end of junior Jordan Hulls’ streak of 58 consecutive made free throws. The streak is the longest in Big Ten history and the 10th best in NCAA history.

Michigan State 80 Indiana 65, Dec. 28

Opening the Big Ten season in East Lansing, Mich., IU bounced back from one double-digit deficit, but couldn’t do it again against the Spartans. MSU jumped to a 34-16 first half lead before the Hoosiers answered with a 38-11 run to take a 54-45 lead with 11:07 left in the game. However, during the next six minutes, the Spartans went on an 18-0 run that IU would not recover from. Watford once again was the catalyst with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Indiana 74 Ohio State 70, Dec. 31

Three weeks to the day after IU knocked off No. 1 Kentucky at Assembly Hall, the Hoosiers showed the win was no fluke in beating No. 2 Ohio State to cap off 2011. Playing without Will Sheehey for the third straight game, the Hoosier starters had 70 of the 74 points against the Buckeyes. IU forced four turnovers in the game’s final 90 seconds to preserve the victory, and for the first time in school history, IU beat both a No. 1 and No. 2 ranked team in the same season.