Indiana Basketball Game Preview: Chattanooga – key storyline, injury report, how to watch

Indiana basketball will return to non-conference play in its 125th season of competition against Chattanooga on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers are coming off a road loss to Nebraska last week.

The Mocs enter the game with a record of 8-4 under third-year head coach Dan Earl. Chattanooga receives double figure scoring from a trio of guards: senior Trey Bonham (13.8 points per game), junior Honor Huff (12.5), and fifth-year Bash Wieland (11.6). The Mocs make 9.2 3-pointers per contest and shoot the long ball at 31.3% aa a team.

Tipoff is set for 12:00 p.m. ET and will be on BTN.

Below is the full preview of Indiana basketball vs Chattanooga.

Key Indiana basketball Storylines

Let Myles Rice do his thing more often

Indiana basketball is at their best when Myles Rice can do his thing on the floor. Period.

It has been an up-and-down year for the sophomore guard as he has been trying to find his role within this Indiana basketball team. Mike Woodson looks like he wants to use Rice as more a lead guard that creates for his teammates and while Rice can do that, it is not what he is best at.

When Rice can be a shot creator for himself, that is where things open up on the offense for the Hoosiers, just as we saw in the Nebraska game. He has the capabilities to get hot and be a microwave scorer.

Woodson needs to take the handcuffs off Rice and let him cook.

Series History

Indiana has won all three previous matchups against Chattanooga, including a 99-74 result in the opening round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Kevin ‘Yogi’ Ferrell led the Hoosier attack with 20 points and 10 assists. Future NBA players OG Anunoby (14 points), Thomas Bryant (13), and Troy Williams (12) all scored in double figures.

Current IU Team & Recruiting Coordinator Jordan Hulls knocked down 6-of-9 shot behind the 3-point line to lead Indiana to a 78-53 victory over the Mocs on Nov. 13, 2011. Current Philadelphia 76er Eric Gordon scored 33 points in his collegiate debut in a 99-79 win over Chattanooga on Nov. 12, 2007.

Indiana basketball Injury Updates

Gabe Cupps: Indiana basketball sophomore guard Gabe Cupps underwent a successful surgery to treat a preexisting, nagging injury to his lower body. He will be out indefinitely.

Jakai Newton: Indiana redshirt freshman guard Jakai Newton underwent successful surgery to treat an injury to his lower body. He will be out indefinitely but is expected to return this season. This injury is not related to the one he had prior to the start of the 2023-24 season.

Quick Hitters

Who?: Indiana (8-3) (2-0) vs Chattanooga (8-4)

When?: Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 • Noon ET

Where?: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222) • Bloomington, Ind.

TV: BTN (Wayne Randazzo, Stephen Bardo)

Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)

Betting Lines: Indiana is listed as a 14.5-point favorite per DraftKings Sportsbook.

SEE ALSO: ‘That’s a recipe for disaster’: Inside the tale of two runs that made things spiral for Indiana basketball in Nebraska loss

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