Indiana earned its fourth win against a team ranked under coach Mike Woodson, with the No. 10 Hoosiers beating the No. 18 North Carolina 77-65 in Wednesday’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge finale. You’ve secured one of the most important momentum-generating moments when Indiana led over 37 minutes of play in an impressive show, stifling UNC on defense and extending the No. 1 Tar Heels preseason losing streak to three.
The defense was the catalyst that led Indiana to their biggest win of the young season. Against a UNC team that ranked 11th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, IU shot Tar Heels from the floor 20 of 59 (34%) and out of his 10 forced turnovers in the game. He converted 17 points and crossed his line to the finish. .
Senior star Trace Jackson-Davis was big as usual for Indiana, with a game-high 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. But IU rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino was just as important in what turned out to be his party coming out, adding his career-high 14 points with six rebounds. Senior his backcourt partner Xavier Johnson added 20 points and his eight rebounds, and Woodson boarded his nine on the bench, getting nearly everyone into action.
Wednesday night was a continuation of two polar opposite trajectories for Indiana and North Carolina, who are on a three-game losing streak prior to entering PK85 last week. Indiana, meanwhile, won his seven games to start the season with his 7-0 start for the first time since 2019-20.
Here are three points about this game.
1. North Carolina lost confidence
It’s hard to imagine, but in less than eight months, this core Carolina team, missing only Brady Manek from this year’s starting lineup, had a magical March run. Collectively, they were playing Kansas in the NCAA Championship. As you can imagine, this team generated a lot of pre-season buzz due to how they ended the season and who they brought back. But this team hasn’t clicked like they did last season. Not very good choice of shots especially in guard spots. Its shooting is well below average overall, probably related to selection. And the star has not fulfilled its mission. It wasn’t just one thing that derailed UNC’s season opener, it’s the little things that pile up that make this team uncomfortable. It was preseason No. 1 for a reason and has the goods to get going at some point, but its feistiness has blunted.
2. Indiana validates preseason hype
Indiana, who looked like an open Big 10 this season, was beloved as the conference preseason favorite in media polls. And so far, it looks spot on or very spot on, depending on what you think of Purdue or Illinois.This version of a victory over North Carolina by no means means Indiana has arrived, but they did win in impressive fashion against a struggling but still borderline top 25 team. Heavy When Deep in a way that on paper makes it one of the true contenders of the Big Ten and beyond.
3. Jalen Hood-Schifino is an up-and-coming star
Trace Jackson-Davis is a superstar who can carry Indiana regardless of the talent around him. I think senior Xavier Johnson is stable. But Jalen Hood-Schifino’s sudden arrival, if this is indeed prescriptive, could indicate that another, more dangerous Indiana team of his could be bubbling. Hood-Schifino is a top 30 recruit fresh out of high school, and his length and smooth scoring ability already make him look like he has one-off potential. If his breakout against UNC is any indication of what’s to come, he’s a luxury of the highest order for a team that already has top 10 potential.
