Louisville dominates Indiana in 89-61 victory at Battle 4 Atlantis

In the Bahamas on November 27, 2024, Louisville faced off against No. 14 Indiana in the first game of the Battle 4 Atlantis. This matchup was especially significant for Louisville, marking their first encounter with a ranked team in nearly three years, since defeating Virginia Tech in January 2021. The game saw a strong performance from Louisville, particularly in the second half, where they scored 52 points. Their offensive strategy proved effective as they shot 66.7% from the field during that half, significantly improving from their first-half performance where they led 37-29. Key players for Louisville included Chucky Hepburn, who contributed 16 points, 10 assists, and seven steals, and Noah Waterman, who also scored 16 points. Kasean Pryor was pivotal in the second half, scoring 10 of his 14 points during that period. Their strong performance was complemented by Reyne Smith, who added 12 points. On the Indiana side, Malik Reneau led the scoring with 21 points, reaching 20-plus points for the eighth time in his career, while Oumar Ballo contributed 11 points. Indiana struggled offensively, especially during critical stretches of the game where they missed shots, which allowed Louisville to build their lead. Louisville's success in this game can be attributed to their ability to capitalize on turnovers, scoring 30 points off of 23 mistakes made by Indiana, while also being effective from beyond the three-point line, making 10 of 27 attempts. The victory also marked a significant step for Louisville in reinforcing their competitive edge as they prepared to face West Virginia in their next matchup. For Indiana, this loss pushed them into the consolation bracket where they would meet the formidable No. 3 Gonzaga. The outcome of this game not only highlights Louisville's resurgence as a competitive force but also raises questions regarding Indiana's strategies moving forward. As both teams look to adjust and learn from this game, Louisville leaves the Bahamas with renewed confidence, while Indiana must regroup quickly to face a tough Gonzaga team next.