BLOOMINGTON – IU finished its nonconference schedule with a comfortable 94-64 win against Jacksonville on Saturday, sending itself off for the holiday in style.

Here are three reasons why:

Insider:Stat-stuffing Juwan Morgan continues to prove he's one of a kind

Defense, defense, defense

Saturday was one last nonconference reminder that it wasn’t just October bluster when Archie Miller said he thought this Indiana team was further ahead defensively than offensively.

Jacksonville is hardly this team’s toughest test, but the Dolphins still fell prey to a team as comfortable with Miller’s pack-line style as it is confident in its ability to control games with its defense. Only once coming into play Saturday had an opponent not turned in one of their four worst defensive performances of the season against IU, and Jacksonville rarely looked like bucking that trend.

There was the 39.3 percent mark from the floor. The 6 1/2-minute scoreless stretch in the first half. The ugly start to the second half. IU had one of its best defenders, redshirt senior guard Zach McRoberts, sidelined again with back problems, and still smothered Jacksonville with a minimum of fuss. A far cry from where this team was a season ago at this time.

Magnificent Morgan

Juwan Morgan received a standing ovation as he left the floor late in the second half Saturday, and Assembly Hall public-address announcer Chuck Crabb acknowledged his accomplishment.

Morgan’s 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against the Dolphins made him just the second Hoosier in program history to register a triple-double. Steve Downing did the same on points, rebounds and blocks in a game against Michigan in 1971. Morgan’s triple-double was the first points/rebounds/assists triple-double in program history. He finished it in style, finishing an inbounds lob out of a timeout.

The stat line itself wasn’t necessary to IU’s victory. But it further underscores the quality of a career building toward a climactic conclusion. Morgan looks likely to be remembered as one of the better players at his position in program history. Now, he shares a resume line with just one other program great.

Insider:Make no mistake, Juwan Morgan joining likes of IU greats

Balance and efficiency

Every starter scored in double figures, led by Al Durham’s game-high 18 points. Damezi Anderson added another nine from the bench.

As a team, Indiana shot 64.8 percent from the floor and averaged 1.32 points per possession. The Hoosiers knocked down eight 3-pointers.

For a team that’s doing its best work on defense, there have still been moments when IU has looked awfully good at the other end of the floor. Miller said before Saturday’s game that he still sees significant room for improvement offensively. Saturday offered a glimpse into what he meant.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.