The Ben Howlett era at IU Indianapolis began with a bang.
The school formerly known as IUPUI scored 102 points on 82 possessions, shooting 50 percent from the field and placing five players in double-figure scoring — all against a Big Ten opponent, Ohio State.
The Jaguars (0-1) get another test against a power-conference team when they take a short bus ride north through Indianapolis to play Butler on Saturday.
Howlett was hired away from Division II West Liberty in the offseason and brought a frenetic pace to IU Indy. Kameron Tinsley scored 22 points and Kyler D’Augustino had 21 in the 118-102 loss to the Buckeyes.
“I give my team a lot of credit,” Howlett told IU Indy’s athletics website. “This isn’t the finished product. We’re going to continue to get better. One of the main signs of the system is you get better throughout the year.”
The Jaguars made Ohio State work for the win, getting 51 points from their bench, but they allowed the Buckeyes to shoot 63 percent. They also fouled 36 times and watched the Buckeyes hit 42 of 53 free throws.
If that’s what’s in store for Butler (1-0), then the Bulldogs will look for another healthy dose of Michael Ajayi. The Gonzaga transfer posted 24 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and 11-of-14 shooting from the stripe in Butler’s 88-58 season-opening win over Southern Indiana.
That game was never close, as Butler scored the first 17 points and was doubling up Southern Indiana 52-26 by halftime.
Jamie Kaiser Jr. (12 points, 10 rebounds) joined Ajayi in recording a double-double, and in his Butler debut, Jalen Jackson had 11 points and six assists. Jackson transferred from Purdue Fort Wayne, where he was one of the best players in the Horizon League, the same league IU Indianapolis is trying to ascend.
“I think he’s going to be (our) point guard, just from the standpoint of his understanding of running a basketball team,” coach Thad Matta told NBC Sports in a preseason interview. “His understanding of how to get guys shots. His ability with his speed and his strength to defend.”
Butler was picked 10th in the 11-team Big East’s preseason coaches poll.
“I think we’re a lot more athletic, we’re longer at positions, and probably the biggest thing I haven’t had in my time at Butler, we’re deep,” Matta said. “We’re going to be able to play a lot of guys.”