IU - Duke Postgame

Well, the Hoosiers fought and fought, but in the end they just didn't have enough answers for Reddick and Duke, losing 75-67. But, for Indiana fans, the silver-lining in this is that Indiana is back and ready to compete with the best of the best.

Marco Killingsworth threw down 34-points and grabbed 10-rebounds against last years' National Defensive Player of the Year Sheldon Williams. Coach K claimed that they were letting Killingsworth score his points in order to take away the three pointer, of which the Hoosiers were hitting 58% in their first three games. Well, his post game remarks bely the double-teams that Marco was scoring on all night. I'm not saying their strategy wasn't as stated, but the final 8 point margin was only made-up in free-throws as time expired. If Coach K is content to let a guy shoot 75% from the field, 9 times out of 10, your opponent is going to beat you. Killingsworth was only 3-9 from the free-throw line, and if he hits just a few more, Indiana, not Duke, would have been in position to pull away shooting free-throws with a minute left. I've been touting Killingsworth for the past year, and it looks like I was right. This guy is an absolute beast.

So, kuddos to Killingsworth. But, even though my loathing of Duke basketball is well-known, JJ Reddick convinced me that he is one the best college players I have ever seen. There isn't much this guy can't do, he controls the ball well, penetrates and never misses a shot from anywhere on the floor. I would enjoy watching him play a lot more if he didn't have the four-letter-word written on his chest.

Indiana is back. Once last-year's Big 10 Freshman of the year comes back, teams are going to feel the pain. Indiana fans understand the game of basketball more than anyone, and they were rowdy and loud last night because, finally, for the first time in a long time, they see their team as one that can play and beat anyone.