HoosierIllustrated Live Blog: FINAL – Indiana basketball 74, Louisville 66.

After quick turnaround, Indiana basketball returns to the floor to face the Louisville Cardinals in the second day of the 2023 Empire Classic. The Hoosiers are coming off of a 77-57 loss to No. 5 UConn in yesterday’s first round contest.

The Cardinals come into this game having lost to Texas in the first round of the Empire Classic.

Scouting Note: Louisville

Tip off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Below is the full live blog

Pregame Notes

Indiana Injury Report:

QUESTIONABLE: Xavier Johnson

OUT Jakai Newton

Per Indiana head coach Mike Woodson on the pregame radio show with Don Fischer, the starting unit remains the same which means Xavier Johnson is good to go.

Indiana starters:

G – Xavier Johnson

G – Trey Galloway

F – Mackenzie Mgbako

F – Malik Reneau

C – Kel’el Ware

Former Indiana basketball guard Victor Oladipo is in the house. Was seen talking with Jordan Hulls before tip.

Such a critical game for Indiana today. Important for the Hoosiers to come out and set the tone right away, especially on the defensive end.

You would hope that Indiana is not overlooking Louisville because if yesterday was anything, the Cardinals will come to play. #iubb

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) November 20, 2023

First Half

Louisville wins the tip and we are off. Hoosiers in red this game.

Kel’el Ware scores first from an assist from Mgbako. Louisville answers with a Skyy Clark three.

Indiana turns the ball over via Trey Galloway.

Mgabko with a steal but Galloway could not finish the transition layup. Mgbako picks up his first foul after.

Kaleb Banks checks in.

Reneau with a turnover but Banks would block the transition layup.

Banks would get an offensive rebound and would get fouled on the put back. He would go 2-2 at the line.

Real back and forth at this point. Not much defense being played. Hoosiers have blow too many transition chances to start.

Under-16 Media Timeout: Louisville 9, Indiana basketball 8. 

Xavier Johnson misses the baseline jumper out of the break.

Malik Reneau picks up his first foul.

CJ Gunn checks in for Galloway.

Cupp and Sparks check in for Johnson and Ware.

Malik Reneau picks up his 2nd foul

Under-12 Media Timeout: Louisville 13, Indiana basketball 12

Impressed with how Kaleb Banks is playing. Came into the game much quicker than he probably expected and has brought the energy on both ends. Very encouraging for the Hoosiers.

Floater is good by Anthony Walker.

Sparks gets fouled and heads to the line. He would go 1-2 at the line but Walker would get the rebound and give it right back to Sparks for the easy layup.

Indiana on a 7-0 run hitting their last 4 of 5. Timeout Louisville. Second Unit playing extremely well right now for the Hoosiers.

Man, Galloway is having a hard time settling in these past two games. Just does not look comfortable out there.

Galloway steal leads to a Gunn transition dunk.

Under-8 Media Timeout: Indiana basketball 21, Louisville 18

Galloways misses the three-pointer out ofnthe break.

Anthony Walker gets fouled and makes the shot. Converts at the line.

Cupps got the rebound and it led to Walker foul in transition. He converted the FTs.

Kaleb Banks picked up a very questionable foul.

Johnson checks in for Cupps.

Johnson goes 2-2 at the line.

Ware picks up his first foul.

Johnsson nails a three.

Under-4 Media Timeout: Indiana basketball 31, Louisville 22

Johnson gets fouled on the drive again. He goes 1-2 at the line.

Louisville breaks their scoring drought right after.

Timeout Mike Woodson. Hoosiers up 34-26 with 51 sec left.

Sparks would miss a hook shot out of the timeout.

Skyy Clark hits a three at the buzzer.

At the half: Indiana basketball 34, Louisville 29

– Tremendous bench performance — 20 out of the 34 from that unit
– 10 assists on 12 made field goals
– IU winning the FT battle, one of Louisville's biggest strengths
– Need something from Mgbako + Galloway the final 20
– Keep the energy up on D

Half: #iubb 34, Louisville 29 pic.twitter.com/xsiYhXOocd

— Alec Lasley (@allasley) November 20, 2023

Going to find out a lot about the mental toughness about this Indiana team at the start of the second half. Louisville took back the momentum at the end of the half.

How will the Hoosiers respond? #iubb

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) November 20, 2023

Second Half

Mgbako nails the mid-ranger jumper out of the break.

Ware would pick up another foul.

Ware picks up his third foul.

Malik Reneau picks up his third foul. Louisville being the aggressor to start the half.

Sparks gets fouled. He goes 0-2 at the lone. Mgbako would get a nice defensive rebound which would lead to a Sparks dunk. Assist by Johnson.

Walker would get fouled by Skyy Clark. Walker would go 2-2 at the line.

Hoosiers playing extremely good post defense at the point.

Louisville calls timeout. Hoosiers on a 8-0 run.

Indiana leads 44-35 at the 15:21 mark.

Skyy Clark hits a jumper out of the break.

The official media timeout hits. Hoosiers up 46-39 with 14:18 left.

Anthony Walker and Payton Sparks have combined for 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting with 9 rebounds so far tonight.

What a massive lift from that duo with the starting front court in foul trouble and struggling a bit when on the floor. #iubb

— Alec Lasley (@allasley) November 20, 2023

Louisville knocks down a three out of the break.

CJ Gunn finally hits a baseline jumper out of the inbounds. Had been struggling to get that going all season.

Louisville would get back-to-back slams.

Xavier Johnson would get fouled not he drive. Would go 1-2.

Louisville takes the lead at the 11:50 mark. 50-49.

Louisville extends the lead to 52-49.

Reenau picks up his fourth foul.

Hoosiers call a timeout. Louisville leads 52-49 with 10:32 left.

Ware would hit a tough shot to end this drought for Indiana. Louisville answers with a three.

Louisville at the 1-1 at eh 9:04 mark. Louisville on a 12-2 run now.

Louisville leads 58-53 with 7:55 left.

This is a disgusting performance from Indiana. After a 20-pt beatdown yesterday there continues to be a lack of energy, toughness, IQ and purpose on the floor. Just bad, bad basketball. #iubb

— Alec Lasley (@allasley) November 20, 2023

Reneau would get fouled on the shot attempt. He would go 2-2 at the line.

Strong take by Kaleb Banks would get him to the line. He would go 0-2.

Ware would get fouled. He would 2-2.

Louisville turnover.

Reneau bucket would cut the Louisville lead down to 1.

Skyy Clark would hit free throws off a Johnson. Johnson would miss a layup and Ware would score plus get a trip to the line. He would miss.

Reneau would get fouled ahead of the break.

Media Timeout with 3:38 to go. Louisville leads 64-61. 

Reneau would go 2-2 at the line Cardinals up 1.

Johnson would get the steal and score to take the lead.

Defensive stop and Reneau gets the bucket. Indiana up three.

Another defensive stop leas to Reneau getting out of the tripled team and getting fouled on the shot attempt. He would make one, then Louisville called a timeout. He would then make the second.

Indiana would get a stop which would lead to Louisville fouling Johnson.

Indiana would keep getting stops and Louisville kept fouling.

Indiana would go onto to win 74-66.

Final Box Score + Expanded Stats:

SEE ALSO: Indiana Basketball Game Preview: Louisville – key storylines, injury report, how to watch

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