Indiana University’s basketball team couldn’t withstand the late surge of Nebraska on Friday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena, suffering a tough 85-68 loss that ended in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd of Cornhuskers fans. As the final buzzer sounded, the Nebraska faithful erupted in a chorus of "Hoosier daddy" chants, celebrating a dominant closeout by their team. The Cornhuskers sealed their victory with a 17-1 run in the final six minutes of the game, leaving Indiana reeling.
The Hoosiers were in control for much of the contest, but as the clock wound down, they fell apart, unable to find the basket when they needed it most. Indiana’s last field goal came at the 6:51 mark, and from that point on, they missed 12 straight attempts. Their final point of the game came from a free throw at the 3:08 mark, a grim punctuation to a game that had gotten away from them. It was a sobering loss, especially considering that Nebraska had just suffered a crushing 27-point defeat to Michigan State in their previous game.
For Indiana (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten), the numbers tell a tough story. The team ended the game shooting just 35.4% from the field and a dismal 22.9% from beyond the arc. It was a performance far below the Hoosiers' usual standards, and one that will surely leave them with a lot to reflect on as they regroup.
Rice’s Struggle for Support
Despite the disappointing team performance, one bright spot for Indiana was Myles Rice, who came alive in the second half. The sophomore guard was the lone spark in a lackluster offense, scoring 13 consecutive points at one point to keep the game within striking distance. Rice’s performance showcased his grit, and his ability to break through Nebraska's defense was impressive. He was a one-man wrecking crew on both ends of the floor, contributing two steals and drawing a charge in the second half, while also driving through the lane with ease to put points on the board.
However, Rice’s efforts weren’t enough to carry Indiana to victory. While he finished the game with 20 points, it wasn’t a complete performance from the Hoosiers. After a red-hot stretch, Rice went scoreless over the last 10:55 of the game. His final total of 20 points was the highest he’s scored in a game since November 21, when he netted 20 points in a win over UNC Greensboro. Unfortunately for IU, he simply didn’t have enough help around him to keep up with Nebraska’s late-game surge.
The rest of the team struggled mightily. While Rice shot an efficient 5-of-9 in the second half, the Hoosiers’ other players combined for just 13 points on a paltry 5-of-27 shooting performance (18.5%). The team also couldn’t capitalize on their second-chance opportunities, managing just 10 points off of 15 offensive rebounds. The lack of cohesion and shooting struggles were glaring, and they played a major role in the team’s downfall.
Mgbako’s Unfulfilled Potential
Another player who had moments of brilliance but ultimately couldn’t sustain them was Mackenzie Mgbako. The sophomore forward showed flashes of his potential early in the second half with an incredible block right under the basket, followed by a smooth left-handed layup in transition. These plays were tantalizing glimpses of what Mgbako is capable of, and they served as a reminder of his professional-level athleticism. However, that was about the extent of his impact on the game.
Mgbako's struggles were more about his inability to stay on the court than his actual performance when he was on it. He picked up two quick fouls in less than 30 seconds to start the game, which limited his minutes in the first half to just one. After returning in the second half, he picked up his third foul and was sent back to the bench with 13:17 left in the game. As a result, Mgbako played only 13 minutes, marking the third time in four games that he’s logged less than 25 minutes on the floor.
This is a troubling trend for Indiana, especially considering Mgbako’s potential. The sophomore had been leading the team in scoring with an average of 17.2 points per game in November, but his scoring has dipped to just 8.0 points per game over the last four contests. It’s clear that Indiana can’t afford to have one of their best shooters on the bench for extended periods, especially in critical moments like these.
The Hoosiers’ Struggles from Distance
One of the most noticeable issues for Indiana in this loss was their abysmal shooting from beyond the arc. The Hoosiers shot just 22.9% from three-point range, a stark contrast to the efficiency they’ve shown in previous games. The team has struggled with consistency from deep all season, but this was an especially poor showing. With Mgbako on the bench for much of the game, Indiana didn’t have their most reliable shooter available to stretch the defense and open up the floor. The lack of shooting depth was apparent, and it hindered the offense at critical moments.
The Cornhuskers’ Resilience
While Indiana’s struggles were glaring, Nebraska deserves credit for their resilience and composure in the final minutes. After their crushing loss to Michigan State, the Cornhuskers could have easily rolled over when the Hoosiers made a run, but they instead responded with a decisive finish. Nebraska's defense tightened up, and their offense clicked in the final stretch, spearheading the 17-1 run that sealed the game. The Cornhuskers executed their game plan to perfection down the stretch, and the Hoosiers simply couldn’t respond.
Moving Forward
This loss was a tough one for Indiana, but it’s also a learning opportunity. The Hoosiers have a lot of talent, but they need to figure out how to play together and stay focused for the full 40 minutes. With Big Ten play in full swing, the Hoosiers can’t afford to have extended stretches of poor shooting and lackluster defense. They’ll need Rice and Mgbako to play more consistently, and they’ll need other players to step up if they want to compete at a high level.
Indiana’s next challenge will be finding a way to bounce back from this setback and refocus for the rest of the season. If they can learn from their mistakes and get everyone on the same page, the Hoosiers still have the potential to be a dangerous team in the Big Ten. However, they’ll need to address their shooting woes and develop more depth to avoid being caught flat-footed in future games.
For now, they’ll need to regroup and get ready for the road ahead. The Hoosiers have a long season ahead, and this loss is just one chapter in the bigger picture. With resilience and hard work, they can turn things around and get back to playing their best basketball.
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