Connecticut 68, Indiana 63.

This one really wasn't as competitive as the score might suggest. After falling behind 9-0, Connecticut controlled the rest of the game and seemed ready to blow the game open at various points. The Hoosiers hung on by a thread with some belated three point shooting, mostly from Jordan Crawford and Armon Bassett, but didn't deserve to win this game. Here's the box score, and the latest link to the Pomeroy "scouting report," which contains some tempo-free stats on a game-by-game basis.

Even on a tempo-free basis, IU ws outrebounded badly. The Hoosiers grabbed only 22.8 percent of their ample offensive rebound opportunities compared to 41 percent for Connecticut.

The only positive stat for IU was 9 turnovers, the lowest total and lowest percentage of the season for IU. Still, the rebound advantage and IU's poor field goal percentage cost IU this game. The Hoosiers too often tried to take the ball into the teeth of Connecticut's defense, and that hasn't worked for anyone this year.

The individuals:

• Eric Gordon had his worst game as a Hoosier. 14 points on 16 shots, 1-5 from three point range, 3-4 from the line. Gordon and DJ White were the only Hoosiers who shot free throws.
• DJ White had 13 points on 13 shots and had 10 rebounds.
• Armon Bassett continues to play well, with 18 points on 10 shots.
• Jordan Crawford was solid as well, with 10 points on 8 shots.

This game probably shows the limitations of stats. Pomeroy's numbers predicted a comfortable win for IU even before UConn lost two guards to suspension. Still, it was clear that UConn's formidable front line affected every two point shot that IU took, even the open ones. As far as losses go, however, I can handle this one. As bad as it was, by the end of Saturday IU was in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten, thanks to Purdue's home win against Wisconsin. Wisconsin has some decent size as well, so the Hoosiers have a tough job up in Madison, but we shall see.