Indiana basketball had its best performance of the season in a win over South Carolina on Saturday. Here are observations from the Hoosiers' victory.

On top of their offensive success, the newcomers have been staples in an Indiana defense that’s forcing 13 turnovers per game. Carlyle consistently picked up his defensive assignment from half-court, forcing errant passes and contributing to South Carolina’s 8 for 29 shooting from beyond the arc.

Indiana men’s basketball might’ve put up 87 points in today’s win over South Carolina, but it was the defensive effort from tipoff until the end that made the largest impact on the game. Collin Murray-Boyles,

The Hoosiers' new point guard led the way with 23 points as IU passed its first real test of the 2024-25 season vs. South Carolina.

After falling behind 4-0 in the first 90 seconds, Indiana scored 14 unanswered points, surging to a double-digit lead with 14:34 to play in the first half. The Gamecocks responded to the Hoosiers’ surge with a run of their own, trimming the deficit to 22-19, but Indiana outscored South Carolina 21-13 over the final 7:09 leading into the break.

Last year, South Carolina posted its best season in nearly a decade under second-year head coach Lamont Paris. Yet, hopes are higher in Bloomington, where head coach Mike Woodson has recruited an impressive group of talent to play for the Hoosiers.