It’s been seven games since IU announced James Blackmon Jr. would be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
And seven wins.
IU Coach Tom Crean said at the beginning of the Big Ten season his team wouldn’t be able to make up for Blackmon Jr.‘s absence with one or two players. The 15.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game would have to come little by little, from the starters and bench players.
That’s exactly what the Hoosiers have done. An 89-57 win against Northwestern on Saturday was their third-straight blowout victory at home.
“We knew with the absence of James ... we were going to have to move without the ball a lot more,” Crean said. “We’re seeing difference defenses from people, and we just have to make sure we’re reading where the cuts are and playing with our heads up.”
In the past two games, IU players have a combined 48 assists.
They’re realizing the importance of moving without the ball as well as ball movement, junior forward Collin Hartman said. That’s led to more open shots on offense — and a 50-percent 3-point percentage over the past two games.
Hartman and Rob Johnson have earned more playing time in Blackmon’s absence, with Hartman taking that starting spot. Against Northwestern, the junior forward scored eight of the Hoosiers’ first 13 points.
He finished with 11 points on 3-of-5 from long range.
He even ran the point for a few possessions Saturday.
Crean said there have been more adjustments since Blackmon went down than meet the eye, most importantly with spacing the floor, and Hartman has been a significant part of that transition.
“He’s a mainstay,” Crean said of Hartman. “He just keeps getting better and better. He just continues to make progress — he’s smart, he’s tough, he’s active.”
The passing mindset that both Hartman and Johnson bring to the court isn’t just about concept, but accuracy, Crean said.
It’s even opened up shots for players like senior forward Max Bielfeldt, who isn’t known for outside shooting. He has 12 made 3’s this season.
“We’re moving the ball, we’re making the simple play,” Bielfeldt said. “We’re finding shooters. With that movement, guys are getting open a little better.”
Bielfeldt and Hartman were two of three Hoosiers in double digits scoring, led by senior guard Yogi Ferrell who had 17.
Eleven different IU players scored.
“I felt like on the court we had a lot of confidence,” Ferrell said of both their offensive and defensive play.
With 30 seconds left in the game, Crean called a timeout, his team up 29.
He wanted to make sure every player on his bench has a chance to play.
The final lineup included walk-ons Quentin Taylor, Harrison Niego, Ryan Burton, and manager-turned-player Jackson Tharp, who got his second dose of Big Ten action in as many games.
