Hoosier Illustrated Live Blog: Final – Indiana basketball 84, Rutgers 74

Indiana basketball returns to Big Ten Conference play in its 125th season of competition in men’s basketball against Rutgers on Thursday, Jan. 2, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Indiana wrapped up the non-conference with a win over Winthrop this past Sunday.

The Scarlet Knights enter the game with a record of 8-5 (1-1 Big Ten) under ninth-year head coach Steve Pikiell. Rutgers is led by two of the top freshmen in the country in guard Dylan Harper and forward Ace Bailey, both are projected lottery picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Harper averages 22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per contest, while Bailey adds 18.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per outing.

Tipoff is set for 8:30 PM on Peacock.

Below is the full live blog.

Key Notes:

Rutgers freshman guard Dylan Harper is out tonight vs Indiana.

Oumar Ballo is questionable again.

Ballo is dressed and is going through warmups.

Indiana basketball starters:

G – Myles Rice

G – Trey Galloway

F – Mackenzie Mgbako

F — Luke Goode

F – Malik Reneau

First half:

Indiana basketball wins the tip and Reneau with the easy points to get us started.

Ace Bailey answers. Scary situation: Malik Reneau was down in a lot of pain holding his knee after a collision with Ace Bailey. He was able to get up but is heading to the locker room. Oumar Ballo checks in for him.

Foul called on Luke Goode on a box-out.

Mgbako misses his first three point attempt.

Trey Galloway misses a three. Rebound by Ballo back out to Mgbako. He hits the three.

Mgbako drives to the lane. Gets fouled on the shot. Goes 1-2 at the line.

Ace Bailey hits a deep 2 in Goode’s face.

Under-16 Media Timeout: Indiana basketball 10, Rutgers 9

Ballo picks up his first foul.

Rutgers in a 2-3 zone and Ballo was able to find a way to get a foul. He goes 0-2 but Galloway gets the rebound and nails a three at the top of the key.

Luke Goode hits a three the next possession.

Ace Bailey is getting his offense going. Making a ton of tough jumpers.

Tied at 16 at the 11:51 media timeout. Rutgers on a 6-0 run. 

Hatton checks in for Ballo. Still no Reneau.

Rutgers takes the lead.

Ace Bailey already up to 16 points.

Galloway hits another three to answer.

Mgbako hits his second three.

Mgbako misses a three on the fast break but Rice makes great effort on the rebound and gets the bucket. 6 offensive rebounds for Indiana.

Rutgers leads 28-24 with 7:29 left in the first half. Hoosiers shooting 5-10 from three and have 6 offensive rebounds. Have to lock in on the defensive side now. 

Mgbako gets called for a foul.

Mike Woodson making a defensive adjustment in double-teaming Ace Bailey. Love that move. Make someone else beat you.

Malik Reneau (lower body/knee) will be out the remainder of Indiana’s game vs Rutgers, per the Peacock broadcast.

Ballo gets the score plus the foul. He hits the free throw.

Leal gets trapped around the rim, makes a move and finds a pass to Carlyle for the three.

8-0 run for Indiana right now. Also holding Rutgers to zero FGs the last 3:10.

Indiana basketball forces a Rutgers shot clock violation.

Last media timeout of the half: Indiana basketball leads 34-31

Leal finds Ballo for the bucket. Hoosiers up 36-32.

Indiana basketball timeout at the 2:36 mark.

Rice misses a tough baseline jumper out of the break. Rutgers gets call for the travel.

Ballo gets on the floor and gets an offensive rebound. Finds Rice and he gets a reverse layup to drop.

Galloway picked up a foul.

Anthony Leal hit a ridiculous half court shot at the buzzer to close the half.

At the half: Indiana basketball 41, Rutgers 34

Second Half

Indiana basketball with the ball to start the half.

Ballo slam to start the half. Hoosiers up 9.

Mgbako misses a three and then picked up a foul on the other end.

Hoosiers force-feeding Ballo inside as they should.

Indiana’s lead up to 45-36.

Short stoppage to check the clock. Rice had a nice steal beforehand and dished it off to Galloway but he missed the bunny.

Myles Rice with fantastic defense and takes a charge. Goes down and hits a flashy jumper.

Ballo gets called for a travel.

Indiana up 47-36 with 16:00 left to go.

Rutgers scores out of the break.

Mgbako hits a funky looking step-back three.

Rice misses a layup but Mgbako puts it back in.

Hoosiers are rolling right now. Up 54-38. Rutgers calls a timeout. 14:06 left to play.

Steal by Carlyle leads to another Ballo slam. Ballo up to 13 points. Indiana basketball on a 9-0 run.

Great ovation for Ballo as Hatton checks in for him.

Indiana basketball with 3 turnovers the last 1:14.

Indiana leads 56-43 with 11:21 left.

Hatton gets called for a foul. Ballo back in.

Ballo gets another block. Both teams a little stagnant right now.

Rice gets crafty in the lane and gets fouled. He goes 2-2. Hoosiers back up 12. Dead-ball technical foul called on Kanaan Carlye. Goode checks in for him.

Rutgers cuts the lead down to 6.

Goode called for another box out foul.

Indiana basketball extends the lead to 62-52. 7:38 left. 

Goode hits a corner three. Much-needed shot.

Ace Bailey with an airball.

Galloway drives again and finds Goode for another corner three.

Hoosiers playing great defense on Rutgers right now.

Galloway hits another 3.

Hoosiers up 71-57 with 3:49 left. 

Ace Bailey scores out of the break. Rutgers calls timeout.

Indiana going with small lineup right now.

Ace Bailey hit a three and was fouled by Mgbako as well. He missed the free throw.

Rice miss and Ballo scoops it back in.

Ballo gets fouled. He goes 1-2.

Ballo gets a defensive rebound

Bailey hits a tough shot over Anthony Leal. Hoosiers up 10 with 2:06 left.

Leal gets fouled. He extends the lead to 77-67.

Rice free throws extend the lead to 81-69.

Final – Indiana basketball 84, Rutgers 74

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