Indiana proved we can compete with high-level opponents in their second exhibition, grinding out a thrilling 76-74 victory over 17th-ranked Baylor in a game that felt nothing like an exhibition. Tayton Conerway's clutch drive with 12 seconds left provided the game-winner as the Hoosiers overcame a 31-18 first-half deficit to show the mental toughness and fight that could define this season.

The crew breaks down how this hard-fought win revealed both the ceiling and the limitations of this Indiana roster, discussing the adjustments that sparked the comeback, the players who stepped up in key moments, and what it all means heading into the regular season.

First Half: Surviving the Athletic Mismatch

• How Baylor's length and athleticism dominated early and the key adjustments Indiana made to chip away at the 13-point deficit
• Bob Moats on Indiana's aggressive ball pressure and passing lane disruption that forced turnovers even when getting beat off the dribble
• The backdoor cuts and defensive switches that kept IU competitive despite being physically overmatched
• Why the free-flowing offense from the Marian game struggled against elite size and speed

Second Half: Finding Ways to Win

• Three perimeter scorers carry the load: Wilkerson (12 second-half points), Conerway (13), and DeVries (9)
• The 20-of-21 free throw performance (95.2%) that became Indiana's path to victory when threes went cold (6-24, 25%)
• Jerod's excitement about the no-fouling-out trial run after Wilkerson picked up his fifth foul but stayed in the game
• Coach Tonsoni's courtside observations on ball reversal concepts and how Indiana wore down Baylor with defensive intensity

Reality Checks and Encouraging Signs

• Why Reed Bailey and Trent Sisley struggled against Baylor's athleticism and what matchup-dependent performances mean for this roster
• Overcoming a staggering 44-25 rebounding deficit and 18-3 second-chance points disadvantage through hustle and execution
• Tucker DeVries' all-around brilliance (18 points, 6 boards, 5 assists in 38 minutes) playing a step ahead mentally
• The mental toughness that allowed seven players to log heavy minutes and never quit despite physical limitations

On the mics: Jerod Morris, Brian Tonsoni, Bob Moats, and Ryan Phillips

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