IU shows NCAA tournament promise, but must improve over break for Big Ten tests

BLOOMINGTON — Darian DeVries’ team entered a holiday break as needed as it was earned with a win Monday night that comfortably encapsulated the Indiana basketball season so far. For 20 minutes, against MAAC-contending Siena, the Hoosiers looked little short of outstanding. Even allowing for the gap in competitive quality. IU’s complementary basketball — defensive effort leading to easy offense, offensive confidence boosting defensive effort, in a virtuous circle — was easy to spot. The Hoosiers looked equal parts dominant and ruthless on their way to a 26-point halftime lead. And then, as has been the case often enough through two months to be of meaningful concern, that effort waned, and...