Indiana on Fire: What Comes Next After Jaw-Dropping Nightmare for Sam Houston State

Indiana got what it wanted Tuesday night in a 97-71 rout of Sam Houston State - a lopsided victory where its bench played well and it didn't have to go down to the wire. The Hoosiers will look for more of the same in their upcoming matchup with Miami (OH).

This total team effort was an encouraging sign for Indiana head coach Mike Woodson, who emphasized the importance of depth and bench scoring for the Hoosiers this season. The Miami (OH) matchup is expected to present an opportunity for the Hoosiers to keep their momentum going, particularly after coming off an impressive showing against Sam Houston State.

Sam Houston State was no match for Indiana, as the Hoosiers ran the Bearkats ragged in the decisive victory. From the opening whistle, Indiana established a commanding presence on the court and never once let up. This has been an area of emphasis for Coach Woodson, who has been pushing for the Hoosiers to step up their intensity and dominate games from tipoff to the final buzzer.

Having multiple contributors from off the bench and in the starting lineup did wonders for the Hoosiers in the blowout win. One major reason behind their success in this regard has been a renewed commitment to moving the ball effectively. By focusing on moving the rock and finding open teammates, the Indiana offense was able to showcase its might against an overmatched opponent.

It's a formula that Indiana will certainly look to apply when facing Miami (OH) next. While there isn't a wealth of time between these two games, coach Woodson remains confident that his players have the capacity to grow and learn from their competitive outings. Thus, with big wins in front of you, life as the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team appears good at the very least, entering their next big challenge on the hardcourt.

This game represents more than a simple clash; as it provides essential test-runs for essential components of Indiana basketball under Coach Woodson, allowing for necessary trial and practice prior to their respective competitive spells in the season. Beyond giving all-around test-runs to starters, it remains important a game coming in the important months ahead for Indiana's key basketball hopefuls.