For the first time this season, Indiana had a comfortable 12 point lead heading into halftime. This time, it was against Maryland, a team still ranked higher in Kenpom than Indiana and with a lot more to play for after early losses to Davidson and UAB.
In past seasons, and even earlier this year, the early lead has been the recipe for disaster. Even with starting point guard, Xavier Johnson, Indiana has struggled to build a lead and maintain it for the course of the game.
Without Johnson, Gabe Cupps played 24 minutes as the starting point guard.