HoosierIllustrated Live Blog: FINAL: Indiana basketball 70, Minnesota 58

Indiana basketball is set to play the program’s final regular season road game of its 124th season of competition tonight at Minnesota. Hoosiers are currently riding a 2-game winning streak with wins over Wisconsin and Maryland.

Minnesota, under the guidance of third-year head coach Ben Johnson, are led by junior forward Dawson Garcia. He ranks sixth in the Big Ten in scoring at 17.4 points per night to go along with 6.4 rebounds. He has knocked down 133-of-163 (81.6%) of his free throw attempts this season.

Minnesota, under the guidance of third-year head coach Ben Johnson, are led by junior forward Dawson Garcia. He ranks sixth in the Big Ten in scoring at 17.4 points per night to go along with 6.4 rebounds. He has knocked down 133-of-163 (81.6%) of his free throw attempts this season.

Junior guard Elijah Hawkins leads the conference in assists per game at 7.5. Freshman guard Cam Christie (11.9 points per game, 62 made 3-pointers), junior guard Mike Mitchell Jr. (10.6 points, 62 made triples, and sophomore forward Pharrel Payne (10.0 points, 6.2 rebounds) all contribute double figures in the scoring column.

Scouting Notes: Minnesota

Tip is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET on BTN.

Below is the full live blog of Indiana basketball at Minnesota.

Indiana Injury Report

Indiana guards Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway and forward Malik Reneau are listed as ‘questionable’.

Pregame Notes

Before the game, it was announced that Mike Woodson would return as Indiana basketball head coach for the 2024-25 season.

All three players on the injured report are warming up.

Tip time for Indiana vs Minnesota tonight is now expected to be 9:12 pm ET, per the pregame radio show.

Indiana Starters

G – Gabe Cupps

G – Trey Galloway

F – Mackenzie Mgbako

F – Malik Reneua

C – Kel’el Ware

First Half

Indiana basketball wins the tip and we are off.

Quick bucket from Kel’el Ware to get us started here. 2-0 Hoosiers.

Defensive stop leads to a Malik Reneau bucket. Two low-post scores for Indiana basketball.

Galloway baseline score by Trey Galloway.  Timeout Minnesota at the 18:02 mark. Hoosiers up 6-0.

Ware picks up his first foul.

Steal by Cupps leads to a Ware transition slam. Hoosiers up 8-0.

Minnesota’s Christe hits a three and gets fouled doing so. Indiana basketball 8-4.

Under-16 Media Timeout: Minnesota 13, Indiana basketball 12

Malik Reneau picks up his second foul.

Indiana getting real sloppy with the ball now.

Under-12 Media timeout: Minnesota 15, Indiana basketball 12

Good ball movement from Johnson-Ware-Walker to get an Indiana score and break the Minnesota run.

Indiana up to 7 turnovers now. A repeat of last game at Maryland. Mental mistake after mental mistake.

Kel’el Ware picks up his second foul. Both Kel’el Ware and Malik Reneau with 2 fouls now. 8:47 left to play in the half.

Goaltending called on Xavier Johnson.

Minnesota leads 23-18 with 7:52 left in the half.

This first half is almost a carbon copy of the first half at Maryland.

Mental mistake after mental mistake. #iubb

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) March 7, 2024

Hoosiers have their last 4-of-5 FGs.

Anthony Walker fouled and gives Indiana basketball their first free throw attempts. He goes 2-2.

Mgbako bucket gives Indiana the 24-23 lead.

Hoosiers on a 10-0 run the last 2:56.

Game stopped for a bit while Walker fixed his contacts.

Under-4 Media timeout: Indiana basketball 28, Minnesota 23

Sparks checks in for Ware foe the rest of the half.

Timeout Indiana basketball 1:10 left. Hoosiers up five.

Keeping Kel'el Ware in with two fouls is *major* growth. Not sure many times we've seen that — and yes, I know both he and Malik Reneau were in foul trouble. But also shows the trust Mike Woodson has in his 7-footer. A major reason for this late run. #iubb

— Alec Lasley (@allasley) March 7, 2024

At the half: Indiana basketball 30, Minnesota 25. Hoosiers closed on a 12-2 run, despite the 8 turnovers. 

– 7 of 8 TOs from your veteran guards. Inexcusable.
– Foul troubles for Malik Reneau continue to be major storyline late this year
– Attempted just one 3
– 14 assists on 14 made FGs
– Getting out in transition — 10 fast break pts

Half: #iubb 30, Minnesota 25. pic.twitter.com/ZWDuFBgQQ4

— Alec Lasley (@allasley) March 7, 2024

Second Half

Mgbako picks up a foul but steals the ball the next play which leads to a transition layup by Trey Galloway.

There was an awkward situation with Malik Reneau on the flor. Threw a terrible post pass to Ware and then had a wardrobe malfunction. Looked to through a pad out from in his shorts. Really weird.

Ware picks up his third foul. Walker checks in.

Oh man, Anthony Walker landed awkwardly and is holding his knee in pain. Woodson immediately came out to floor.

Tough scene. #iubb

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) March 7, 2024

Whole Indiana team came out to help Walker to the bench. You just hate to see that happen to a senior that has put his time in like Anthony Walker has. #iubb https://t.co/JlS47zBzPk

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) March 7, 2024

Mike Woodson running with Mgbako and Reneua in the frontcourt this next stretch.

Indiana basketball leads 35-28 with 15:50 left. 

Reneau picks up his third foul. Ware comes back in.

Mgbako picks up his third foul.

Great charge taken by Mgbako.

Steal by Leal leads to a Galloway bucket. Hoosiers up 9.

Long pass by Johnson to Ware leads to back-to-back transition buckets. Timeout Minnesota. Hoosiers up 41-30 with 13:18 left.

Three by Mgbako extends the lead to 12 for Indiana. Minnesota then commits their 13th turnover.

Another timeout from Minnesota after Mgabko hits another three. Indiana up 47-32 with 11:39 left.

Hoosiers are ROLLING right now. #iubb

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) March 7, 2024

We've heard a lot over the last week or so the emphasis Indiana has made on pushing the pace — and what Xavier Johnson brings with his speed and ability to pass ahead. We're seeing that tonight. Much needed dimension to IU's offense. #iubb

— Alec Lasley (@allasley) March 7, 2024

While Indiana does have 10 turnovers, Minnesota has 14 right now.

Hoosiers have scored 17 points off of those 14 turnovers up to this point. Usually, that stat is reversed.

Great adjustments made by Indiana. #iubb

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) March 7, 2024

Minnesota cuts the lead to 13 but Mgbako hits yet another three. The freshman is on fire.

Back-to-back threes from Mgbako and Ware. Mgbako would pick up his fourth foul shortly after. Reneau checks back in.

Indiana basketball timeout with 6:48 to play. Indiana up 57-40. 

Reneau fouled and goes 2-2 at the line.

Back-to-back threes from Minnesota cuts the lead to 59-46. Indiana basketball’s defense breaking down a little bit.

Last media timeout: Indiana basketball 61, Minnesota 48

Refs checked to see if Reneau got the ball off in time. He did. Hoosiers up 63-48 with 3:22 left.

Hoosiers running the clock at the points. Hoosiers closing in on their third straight win and back-to-back road wins.

FINAL: Indiana basketball 70, Minnesota 58

Final Box Score + Extended Stats

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