Indiana basketball delivered an impressive performance in its exhibition matchup against Butler on Sunday, pulling away for a commanding 96-68 victory behind balanced scoring, efficient shooting and a dominant second-half effort.
The Hoosiers outscored the Bulldogs 52-27 after halftime, turning what was a competitive first half into a 28-point blowout. Indiana held a slim 44-41 advantage at the break before finding another gear offensively and tightening its grip on the game defensively.
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Indiana finished the contest shooting 46.6% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range, knocking down 13 of its 33 attempts from beyond the arc. The Hoosiers weren’t great from the free throw line, converting just 68.2% of their free throws, but they dominated on the glass with a 53-33 rebounding advantage.
Three transfers, Darren Harris from Duke, Markus Burton from Notre Dame and Samet Yigitoglu from SMU, led the way with 13 points apiece. Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell chipped in 10 points, giving Indiana four players in double figures. Harris was aggressive from the perimeter, connecting on three of his eight three-point attempts while adding an assist.
Burton matched Harris with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field, including a 3-of-3 performance from beyond the arc. He also contributed an assist despite playing just over 15 minutes.
Yigitoglu provided an efficient interior presence, finishing with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. He added five rebounds, a block and a steal, helping Indiana establish a significant advantage in the paint.
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Sherrell also made a notable contribution with 10 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double. Trevor Manhertz finished with seven points and eight rebounds, while Bryce Lindsay added six points and three assists.
Indiana’s depth was another encouraging takeaway from the exhibition. The Hoosiers received 40 points from their bench compared to Butler’s 32, allowing them to maintain their energy and extend the lead as the game progressed.
The defensive performance after halftime was particularly impressive. Butler managed just 27 points in the second half while shooting 33.3% from the field and connecting on only two of its 11 three-point attempts. Indiana also forced 10 turnovers, converting them into 17 points.
The Hoosiers were especially effective attacking the basket, outscoring Butler 42-28 in the paint and generating 25 second-chance points compared to just five for the Bulldogs. Indiana also held a 13-8 advantage in fast-break points, highlighting its ability to turn defensive stops and rebounds into transition opportunities.
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Butler had two players reach double figures, led by Jalen Jackson’s 17 points and Jordan Ellerbee’s 16 points. Treyson Anderson scored nine. However, the Bulldogs struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm in the second half and finished shooting just 36.1% overall.
Although an exhibition result does not count toward the regular-season standings, Indiana’s combination of offensive balance, rebounding strength and second-half defensive intensity offered plenty of positives.
The Hoosiers will look to build on that performance as they continue preparing for the regular season, with the convincing win providing an encouraging early glimpse of what this group can accomplish.
