HoosierIllustrated Live Blog: FINAL: Indiana basketball 74, Minnesota 62

Indiana basketball continues its 124th season of competition with the first of a two-game homestand against Minnesota at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 12. The Hoosiers are looking to bounce back after an embarrassing performance in the loss to Rutgers on Tuesday night.

The Golden Gophers (12-3, 3-1) have won seven-straight games, including league wins over Nebraska (76-65), at Michigan (73-71), and Maryland (65-62). The Gophers are led by 16.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game from junior forward Dawson Garcia. Junior guard Mike Mitchell Jr. (11.1 points per game), sophomore forward Joshua Ola-Joseph (10.7), and freshman guard Cam Christie (10.6) all score in double figures. Junior guard Elijah Hawkins is averaging 10.6 assists per game during the win streak.

Scouting Notes: Minnesota

Tip is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET on FS1.

Below is the full, live running blog.

Indiana Injury Report

Questionable: Senior guard Anthony Leal and junior center Payton Sparks

Pregame Notes:

Anthony Leal is seen getting his early pregame shots up before the game like he normally does.

Payton Sparks who is listed as questionable is out for warmups for Indiana. #iubb pic.twitter.com/WRJj0qeLfC

— Drew Rosenberg (@drew_rosenberg2) January 12, 2024

Gabe Cupps is starting in place of Xavier Johnson. A punishment for his ejection the other night at Rutgers.

Such an important game tonight for Indiana for so many obvious reasons.

Have to see the best version of the Hoosiers tonight. #iubb

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) January 12, 2024

Indiana Starters:

F- Kel’el Ware

F- Malik Reneau

F- Mackenzie Mgbako

G- Trey Galloway

G- Gabe Cupps

First Half

Indiana basketball wins the tip and we are off. Trey Galloway with a three to start us off. Hoosiers follow it up forcing a Minnesota turnover.

Mgbako with three. Hoosiers lead 6-0 early.

Trey Galloway picks up his first foul .

Dawson Garcia picks up his first foul for Minnesota.

Minnesota gets their first bucket at the 17:40 mark.

Mackenzie Mgbako get the offensive rebound and get the bucket plus the foul. He missed the free throws. Missed free throws aside, gotta love the aggressiveness from Mackenzie Mgbako here.

Minnesota standout Dawson Garcia with 2 fouls at the 16:37 mark. Absolutely massive advantage for Indiana here.

Malik Reneau picks up his first foul.

Indiana assistant coach Yasir Rosemond is sitting next to Mike Woodson on the bench for this game which means he has the scout for this one.

Pretty fitting considering that Rosemond was the interim head coach last season when the Hoosiers traveled to Minnesota and won. #iubb

— Kyler Staley (@kylerstaley) January 12, 2024

Under-16 Media Timeout: Indiana basketball 11, Minnesota 4

I don’t care who else is on the floor, or where they’re playing — you put Gabe Cupps out there and the energy level is automatically amped up. Just brings a different level to this team. #iubb

— Alec Lasley (@allasley) January 12, 2024

The Hoosiers look MUCH more aggressive on the boards tonight, especially on the offensive end. Leading to many second chance point opportunities and trips to line, just not getting the free throws to fall is the concerning part. 3-of-7 at the line thus far.

Kel’el Ware knocks down a three.

Timeout Minnesota at the 12:44 mark. Hoosiers lead 22-8. THIS is the Indiana basketball we have been waiting to see this season.

Walker and Johnson in for Reneau and Cupps. Walker immediately gets the bucket plus the foul. He makes the free throw.

Under-12 Media timeout: Indiana basketball 25, Minnesota 10

Dawson Garcia checks back in for Minnesota. Has 2 fouls. Hoosiers have to recognize that.

CJ Gunn in for Galloway.

Mike Woodson calls a timeout. There was something he did not like there. He and Yasir Rosemond had a conversation about whatever it was.

Gunn gets fouled. He goes 1-2 at the line.

2 fouls on Malik Reneau. Ware back in.

Cupps back in for Galloway.

Under-8 Media timeout: Indiana basketball 28, Minnesota 16

Minnesota on a 8-0 run and have cut the lead to 8.

Kel’el Ware knocks down his second three of the game.

Under-4 Media timeout: Indiana basketball 37, Minnesota 27

Mgabko fouls Cam Christe on three-point shot. His first foul.

Kaleb Banks checks in for Walker. Looks like Walker has a cut on his face.

Mgbako gets fouled on the drive. He goes 2-2.

At the half: Indiana basketball 41, Minnesota 31

– Converting off TOs a key coming in .. 11 pts so far
– Mackenzie Mgbako continues hot streak. His confidence and aggressiveness is key moving forward
– Gabe Cupps needs to be on the floor at all times
– Just 2 TOs
– Be ready for the Minnesota run

Half: #iubb 41, Minnesota 31 pic.twitter.com/v68ZaSOxky

— Alec Lasley (@allasley) January 13, 2024

Second half

Indiana basketball to start the second half.

Two turnovers to start by the Hoosiers.

Buddy Ball action with Reneau finding a trailing Ware for the lop.

Good drive and dish by Galloway which led to Ware getting the bucket plus the foul. He made the free throw.

Buddy Ball action contours with Reneau finding Ware for the lob again.

Under-16 Media timeout: Indiana basketball 50, Minnesota 35

Three from Mgbako out of the break. He is on fire this game.

Trey Galloway hits another three to follow.

Timeout Minnesota. Hoosiers on a 13-2 run and lead 58-37 with 13:53 remaining.

Under-12 Media timeout: Indiana basketball 60, Minnesota 41

Hoosiers on a 2:26 scoring drought.

6-0 run from Minnesota now.

Timeout Indiana. Lead 62-45 with 8:51 left.

Under-8 Media Timeout: Indiana basketball 62, Minnesota 45

Reneau has missed a few bunnies tonight.

Reneau gets fouled. He goes 1-2 at the line.

Xavier Johnson visibly frustrated on the bench after Gabe Cupps came in for him.

Kel’el Ware picks up his 4th foul with 5:24 left. Hoosiers getting a little lackadaisical at moment.

Mackenzie Mgbako picks up his 4th. Xavier Johnson checks in.

CJ Gunn checks in for Galloway.

Hoosier lead 67-51 with 4:20 left. 

Minnesota on a 3:41 scoring drought.

Ware checks in for Walker with 2:39 left.

Reneau gets fouled. He missed the front end of a 1 and 1.

Xavier Johnson fouled. He goes 2-2 at the line.

Reneau get the defensive rebound and gets fouled. He goes 1-2 at the line.

Mgbako gets Reneua’s miss, gets fouled, and he goes 2-2 at the line.

Minnesota takes a timeout at the 1:33 mark. Indiana basketball leads 74-58.

Shot clock violation on Indiana basketball.

Final: Indiana basketball 74, Minnesota 62.

Hoosiers improve to 12-5 on the season and 4-2 in the Big Ten.

Final Box Score + Extended Stats

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

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