There were a lot of ledes.
None of the splendiferous, creative and imaginative ledes in the works would have been able to encapsulate how well junior guard James Blackmon Jr. played and how vital he was for IU on Saturday against Big Ten foe Michigan State.
That’s how good Blackmon was. I don’t even know how to write about him.
In the biggest moments, on the grandest stage, in front of a raucous Assembly Hall crowd, a day after finding out that his teammate sophomore forward OG Anunoby would be out for the rest of the season, Blackmon put up 33 points on 16 shots and steered IU to a crucial home victory.
It was a masterful performance and one that was much-needed for the short-handed Hoosiers. IU was already lacking in depth after OG’s injury, but with sophomore big man Juwan Morgan sidelined as well, the Hoosiers had to rely on their starters an absurd amount.
The starting five all played at least 29 minutes, and Blackmon led the team with 36 minutes. Every minute was crucial. With a plus-11 plus-minus, the Hoosiers consistently depended on Blackmon to create his own offense.
“It’s great,” junior guard Robert Johnson said in regards to Blackmon’s offensive output. “It makes it easier for all of us when he’s hitting shots like that. Guys have to try to make a plan to stop him, and that just opens up even more for us.”
Along with his offensive output, No. 1 put in work on the defensive end, too. One of the main criticisms of Blackmon’s play heading into Michigan State was his inability to guard on the perimeter and to stay with his man on pick and rolls.
He still has his weaknesses when guarding a slasher with a quick first step, but he was much more active in this contest.
Along with Johnson, Blackmon held MSU’s ballyhooed freshman guard Miles Bridges to 13 points on 4-for-17 shooting. As the focal point of the team, Blackmon must hold his own on the defensive side of the ball for the rest of the roster to follow suit.
After the game-winner against Penn State on Wednesday, JBJ held the conch. It’s too early to declare something a season-defining moment, but that is surely the front-runner in the clubhouse if IU overcomes Anunoby’s injury, IU Coach Tom Crean said.
After a layup by junior guard Josh Newkirk at the 3:08 mark, Blackmon waved his arms in the defensive stance. IU led by 15, 41-26, and Blackmon wanted the crowd to remind the opposition of their deficit.
Assembly Hall listened.
They roared. They chanted. They shouted.
Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo called timeout. The Spartans needed an answer for Blackmon and company. Quickly.
Michigan State couldn’t find one.
They would slink back and cut the lead to six, but then the Hoosiers would reply, often through Blackmon.
Blackmon scored in a bevy of ways. He hit threes, drove for contested layups and finished from the free-throw line.
As the game reached its conclusion Blackmon lifted his fists up in victory, high-fived some teammates and then hugged sophomore center Thomas Bryant in front of the Hoosier bench for a few seconds.
They parted, Bryant’s arm still over the 33-point wonder.
Bryant knew and knows how important Blackmon is for the Hoosiers. We all do.
Wherever Blackmon goes, the Hoosiers go. The season rides on him, and after the last two games, it seems like he’s up for the task.
gigottfr@indiana.edu
@gott31
