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

Indiana basketball hits the road for the first of a two-game stretch away from Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in its 124th season of competition. The Hoosiers are coming off a much-needed win over Wisconsin this past season.

Maryland, under the guidance of second-year head coach Kevin Willard, are led by fifth-year senior guard Jahmir Young. He ranks third in the Big Ten in scoring at 20.9 points per night to go along with 118 assists and 53 made 3-pointers.

Junior forward Julian Reese adds 13.9 points and 9.7 boards per contest. Senior forward Jordan Geronimo, a former Hoosier, averages 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 24 starts.

Tip is scheduled for 2:00 PM ET on CBS.

Below is the full preview of Indiana basketball at Maryland.

Key Storylines

Let Xavier Johnson play, let him do his thing

This season has not been the season that Indiana basketball senior guard Xavier Johnson had hoped it would be to say the least. After missing most of last season, the three-year Hoosier guard has hoped to have some redemption to end his college career.

That has not been the case, not even close.

This has been yet another injury-ridden season for Johnson, it ha been a pattern of a few games played followed by a string of injuries that has forced him to miss multiple games. Indiana basketball has not had their senior leader most of the season, and that has hurt them.

“I don’t think any team comes into the season and expects not to have their starting point guard.” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said last week. “And as a coach, it’s my job to help us overcome that.”

With at least four games remaining and there not being much hope for Indiana’s postseason hope, I think you can get by with letting Xavier Johnson play as many minutes as he can. When he has been on the floor this season, he has not been the most productive.

My opinion, you start Gabe Cupps every game but senior night, but when Xavier Johnson is on the floor, let him do his thing in a controlled way.

The guy deserves to have a strong finish to his college career.

Kel’el Ware playing his way into the NBA Draft Lottery

Kel’el Ware has by far proven to be the best pickup Mike Woodson got this past offseason. As far as consistency, he and Malik Reneau have been the constant for this Indiana basketball team.

Ware has taken a major leap in his sophomore year than where he was he freshman season at Oregon. Viewed as ‘one-and-done’ type of player, for whatever reason, he did not live up to those expectations. Last season saw him only average 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.

This season, Ware is averaging a team second-best 15.6 points behind fellow frontcourt running Malik Reneua (16.0 ppg) and is leading the team in rebounding at 9.5 per game.

With the production that Ware has brought to this team, he has played his way into a possible NBA Draft lottery pick.

He is coming off of one of his better games becoming the second player this season in college basketball to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a game (Johni Broome, Auburn). A game that almost proved that he is worth a lottery look.

“It was unbelievable. He had a man’s game. He really did,” Woodson said about Ware’s performance. “… Maybe we didn’t go to him enough, but he was fantastic tonight. We needed every bit of it in order to win this game.”

It may just be for one year, but Ware has had a great Indiana basketball career thus far.

Can Indiana basketball get another road win this season? 

The Hoosiers have at least four games left which includes the guaranteed one game in the Big Ten Tournament. Out of those four remaining games, Indiana basketball has two true road games with only one more home game.

The question is, will Indiana basketball win another road game this season? For a team that has only won two road games on the year, that is a tall task.

The two road games include this one on the road at Maryland plus the game at Minnesota on Wednesday night. Out of those two, this game is the one with a better chance to see an Indiana basketball road win with the fact that Maryland has also seen their struggles this year and the Hoosiers have beaten them once this season.

The postseason play is going to be limited for Indiana this season. It is highly important that the Hoosiers build momentum heading into the portal season. Wining games on the road, building confidence is the best way to do so.

Related: Trey Galloway has stepped up amid an up-and-down season for Indiana basketball showing his evolution as all-around playmaker

Series History

The Hoosiers have won five of the last six matchups in the series and hold a 13-9 advantage overall. Maryland won the last game played between the two programs in the Xfinity Center by a score of 66-55 on Jan. 31, 2023.

Indiana opened conference play with a 65-53 home win over Maryland on Dec. 1, 2023, on the strength of four double-figure scorers. Sophomore center Kel’el Ware tallied 18 points and 12 rebounds, while senior guard Trey Galloway posted 12 points, six boards, and six assists.

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 Ep. 17 – Let’s talk about Mike Woodson, Indiana basketball recruiting updates plus the Sectionals controversy

Injury Updates

Xavier Johnson: The Indiana basketball senior guard returned to the floor after missing five-straight games. Still working out some rust, but he is back for the Hoosiers.

CJ Gunn: The sophomore shooting guard was listed  as ‘questionable’ last week and DNP vs Wisconsin. His status is TBD.

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 for the rest of the season. The good news is there was video surfacing of Jakai Newton going almost full speed in a workout. He probably won’t play the rest of the season, but this a great sign.

Watch: Senior guard Xavier Johnson discusses navigating this Indiana basketball season though injuries

Quick Hitters

Who?: Indiana (15-13) (7-10 Big Ten) at Maryland (15-14) (7-11 Big Ten)

When?: Sunday, March 3, 2024 • 2 p.m. ET

Where?: Xfinity Center (17,950) • College Park, Md.

TV: CBS (Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner)

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

Betting Lines: Indiana basketball is listed as a 9-point underdog via DraftKings Sportsbook.

SEE ALSO: ‘It’s been a long ride, long journey’: Xavier Johnson’s emotional ride, ‘mental attack’ coming to a close as final stretch of college career for Indiana basketball approaches

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