Indiana opened the season with a 88-60 rout of Florida Gulf Coast, Friday at Assembly Hall, in Bloomington, Ind.

Emerging Hoosier star Christian Watford had a game-high 24 points. Watford is big reason why expectations are at the highest they've been in Tom Crean's three-year tenure. The sophomore forward followed up a big preseason with an all-around performance against the overmatched Eagles from the Atlantic Sun Conference. He connected on 8-of-12 attempts and added five rebounds and four assists.

Jordan Hulls had 18, and point guard Maurice Creek returned to the IU starting lineup after missing more than half of last season with a dislocated knee cap. Creek added 13 points.

Anthony Banks' 16 points led Florida Gulf Coast, which trailed by 14 at halftime and couldn't stop the Hoosiers from pulling away in the second half.

Indiana (1-0) continues a stretch of six winnable home games to start the season when Wright State visits Sunday. Florida Gulf Coast will look to bounce back at home against Southeast Missouri State Tuesday.