Indianapolis • With every basket made, rebound corralled, and shot Indiana State blocked, the packed house of Sycamores fans erupted in unison early in Tuesday’s NIT semifinal against Utah at Butler University’s historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.
After all, Indiana State’s campus is located just an hour west of Indianapolis in Terre Haute.
With every explosion from the NCAA-tournament starved fans of Larry Bird’s alma mater, the momentum seemed to only swell. So it went for the Runnin’ Utes, who succumbed to the red-hot Sycamores, 100-90, to end their season.
The Utes had held opponents to an average of 72.4 points per game coming in. The 100 points were their second-most allowed all season. Arizona scored 105 in a February triple-overtime contest.
“What a great environment tonight,” said Utah coach Craig Smith. “Obviously, it’s a neutral court game, but (Indiana State fans) showed up and showed out. You could feel that. It was a great college basketball environment in a legendary facility. We really played well offensively, but we just didn’t have a ton of answers for them. They put a lot of pressure on you at all five positions.”
Utah guard Deivon Smith (5) celebrates with teammate guard Gabe Madsen (55) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana State in the semifinals of the NIT, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana State (32-6) surged to an early double-digit lead behind the pseudo home crowd, but Utah didn’t cave. Hunter Erickson gave the team a spark off the bench with back-to-back buckets, including a 3-pointer to trim an 11-point deficit to six at 28-22. Branden Carlson added a pair of 3s, Deivon Smith started attacking the basket, Cole Bajema knocked down a pair of shots, and the Utes went into halftime tied with the Sycamores at 44.
The game remained close in the second half — there were eight ties and nine lead changes total — but Indiana State pulled away in the final eight minutes. Up 68-63, the Sycamores scored on six straight possessions to charge ahead 83-71. Smith scored 11 of his career-high 28 points over the game’s final 2:52, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sycamores. Smith finished 10-of-16 from the floor, including six-of-six from 3-point range.
“We were kind of iffy about it wanting to play in the NIT because we felt we were a tournament team, but I feel like we got really connected during this stretch,” the point guard Smith said. “We all bought in on winning an NIT championship — playing for each other, playing for BC (Carlson), playing for Cole and the guys that are leaving. This is one of the best teams I’ve ever been on. This last postseason stretch really showed our brotherhood and the chemistry we have.”
Branden Carlson added 17 points for Utah. Bajema added 15 points, Ben Carlson scored 11 off the bench and Erickson finished with 10. Sophomore guard Ryan Conwell led Indiana State with 27 points and sophomore center Robbie Avila added 26 points to go with 10 rebounds.
Utah shot 17-of-29 (58.6%) from 3-point range — tying a school record for makes — and 52.3% from the floor. Indiana State, one of the nation’s top 3-point teams, was only 12-of-34 (35.3%) but shot 56.9% from the field. The Sycamores hit 14-of-20 free throws compared to 5-of-10 for the Utes.
Utah players watch from the bench in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana State in the semifinals of the NIT, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. Indiana State won 100-90. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The loss wraps up the third season for Smith, who is 50-50 overall as the Utes’ coach. The team’s record has improved each year, from 11-20 in 2021-22, to 17-15 last year and 22-15 this year. Utah will have at least four scholarships open for next season, with Branden Carlson and Bajema having exhausted their eligibility, and senior guard Rollie Worster entering the transfer portal.
“I’m excited,” Smith said. “We have a rich tradition of excellence at the University of Utah. That’s why I wanted to come here. Nobody’s going to have more goals than me for greatness. Now, we’re going into the Big 12, which five of the last six years has been ranked the No. 1 league in men’s basketball. We have work to do. The transfer portal has been open for 15 or 16 days now. We’ve been watching that. You have an idea of who (on the team might return) but I don’t know if you totally know. We just have to keep gaining momentum and keep pushing forward.”