Indiana Basketball Game Preview: Maryland – key storylines, injury report, how to watch

Indiana basketball returns to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall after a three-game road skid that saw the Hoosiers go 1-1 at the Empire Classic and knock off Harvard this past Sunday in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers kick off Big Ten play tonight as they host the Maryland Terrapins and former Indiana basketball forward Jordan Geronimo.

The Terrapins enter the contest with a 4-3 record including three-straight wins against UMBC (92-68), South Alabama (68-55), and Rider (103-76). Senior forward Jordan Geronimo played his first three collegiate seasons with the Hoosiers and averaged 3,8 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest across 82 games. He is averaging 7.1 points and 4.1 over his first seven games with the Terps and has made five starts. Maryland head coach Kevin Willard is in his second season in College Park. He holds a record of 26-16 at Maryland.

Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 on BTN.

Below is the full preview of Indiana basketball vs Maryland in the first Big Ten game of the season.

Key Storylines

First conference game of the season, need to start off  on the right foot

Like is has been the last few seasons, the Big Ten will get an early start in conference play with teams getting two chances to start the conference season on the right foot before going back to non-conference games the rest of the calendar year.

For an Indiana basketball team that has shown struggles against weaker opponents, despite the 5-1 record, this is a chance for the Hoosiers to get momentum going heading into the conference schedule. Even though Maryland has struggled early on in the season, you cannot overlook the Terrapins by any stretch.

“Big Ten basketball is different because anybody can beat you in college basketball,” Mike Woodson said on his weekly radio show. “There are no nights off in the Big Ten”….“(Jahmir) Young is the head of the snake and then they have (Julian) Reese and (Donta) Scott. Defensively, a lot of press.”

Indiana has the advantage of home court here so it is important for them to protect that at all costs. Every game matters in conference play and continuing to win is the utmost importance for this Indiana basketball program.

Welcome back, Jordan Geronimo 

After spending three seasons in Bloomington, junior forward Jordan Geronimo elected to enter his name in the transfer portal which ultimately led him to playing for the Maryland Terrapins. For Friday’s game, he makes his return to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall but on the opposing bench.

Geronimo averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game last year for Indiana. Geronimo had his best stretch of games last season at the start of Big Ten play when starting forward Race Thompson went down with a knee injury. Geronimo started five games in a row and averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He had 12 points and 11 rebounds against Wisconsin and 13 points and eight rebounds against Illinois in back-to-back performances.

This season for Maryland thus far, Geronimo he averaging 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and shooting 45.8% from the field in seven games. He has started in 4 of those 7 total games.

It will be extremely interesting to see how the Indiana basketball fanbase reacts to Geronimo when he returns to the school he spent most of his college basketball career at. While he never really ever lived up to his true potential, there were certainly some highlight moments in his career at Indiana and put in a lot of work and proved to be a great teammate.

Guard play needs to DRASTICALLY improve for Indiana basketball

Safe to say at this point in the season, the questions of how the Indiana basketball frontcourt would play out are non-existent now because that is the solid rock of this Hoosier team. The backcourt however, is surprisingly one of the major weaknesses for this team.

When you consider that the starting backcourt consists of seniors Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway it is even more surprising that Indiana basketball is seeing struggles in their backcourt. Sophomore CJ Gunn is still trying to find himself as a player on the court and Gabe Cupps is still going through the freshman transition from high school to college.

Their struggles are mostly come from shooting behind the perimeter, facilitating, and just overall confidence on both ends of the floor. Indiana has a season high of just four made three-pointers. Indiana is now just 19-of-79 (24.1%) from three. Trey Galloway, who shot 46.2 percent a season ago is just 3-of-18 this year. CJ Gunn, who came in with the reputation as a shooter, is just 2-of-28 in his short career thus far.

With the Hoosier not able to get any sort of help from the backcourt, the frontcourt has a ton of pressure on them. Indiana has been able to win games even with the current struggles of the backcourt, however, if the struggles continue, the winning will likely see a halt. The guards have to step up for the Hoosiers.

Watch: Mike Woodson previews Indiana basketball Big Ten opener

Series History

The Hoosiers have won four of the last five matchups in the series and hold a 12-9 advantage overall. The two programs split last season with Maryland taking the lone regular season matchup by a score of 66-55 in College Park. Indiana, behind 24 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and four blocks from forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, bounced back to take down Maryland by a final tally of 70-60 in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago.

The two sides met in the 2002 NCAA Championship game, a matchup that Maryland won by a score of 64-52 behind 18 points and five steals from tournament Most Outstanding Player Juan Dixon.

Podcast: Talkin’ Bout The Hoosiers Episode 11 – Recap of Indiana basketball at Empire Classic, Preview of Big Ten play

Injury Updates

Indiana

Xavier Johnson: Johnson left the first half of the Harvard game early and did not play the rest of the game. Was seen on the bench with ice on his foot. His status is questionable for this game.

“We’re still evaluating X to see where he is,” Woodson said over Zoom on Thursday. “If he can’t play, it’s the next man up. That’s how it’s always been here. Injuries are part of the game. You know, nothing you can do about it. If he can’t play, then I expect somebody else to step up and play.”

Jakai Newton: Newton had a lower body surgical procedure done this past offseason to help fix a previous injury he sustained during high school. He is still recovering and is not expected to play awhile at this point.

Quick Hitters

Who?: Indiana (5-1) vs Maryland (4-3)

When?: Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 • 7 PM ET

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

TV: BTN (Brandon Gaudin, LaPhonso Ellis)

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

Betting Lines: Indiana basketball is listed as a 2-point favorite

See Also: Early returns are in and Indiana basketball is reaping the benefits from its young but talented front court

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.