Indiana basketball continues its 125th season of competition with a non-conference tilt against Miami (Ohio) on Friday, Dec. 6, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Hoosiers are coming off a win vs Sam Houston on Tuesday.
The RedHawks enter the game with a record of 5-2 under third-year head coach head coach Travis Steele. Junior guard Peter Suder, a Carmel High School graduate, leads Miami (Ohio) in scoring at 17.4 points per game. Redshirt sophomore wing Kam Craft (14.1) and sophomore wing Eian Elmer (14.0) give the RedHawks a trio of double-figure scorers.
Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and will be on BTN.
Below is the full preview of Indiana basketball vs Miami (OH).
Podcast: Talkin’ Bout The Hoosiers Ep. 35 – Why it’s too early to give up on Indiana Basketball
Key Indiana basketball Storylines
Keep improving on defense
I think it is fair to say, this Indiana basketball team is a pretty good offensive team. You can knock the type of style at times they show on the offensive end, but this team has guys that can score the basketball. I mean, the team does average 80.8 points a game.
As what we have seen the past few years prior, Indiana did not always have the best of offense. It was the defense that carried the Hoosiers. This season, that is not the case thus far.
While last game looked slightly better from a defensive standpoint, this Indiana basketball team still has a ways to go. There is still too many mental mistakes going on at that end. They also are still working on getting tougher as well.
The Hoosiers got about 5 more games to get their defense right before the season goes full Big Ten play.
Still fine-tuning the front court
“Yeah, we definitely got to work on the two-big lineup for sure. When there is one big out there it flows better, more space out there for shooters and open up the floor. Yeah, me and Ballo definitely got to work on the two-big lineup so we can be a better presence with the two — big lineup, too.”
That was what Malik Reneau said after the Sam Houston win the other night. Even the players are acknowledging the two-big lineup is still a work-in-progress.
All-in-all, Mike Woodson has done a pretty good job going small a lot more than what he did seasons prior. It’s just win you have both Reneau and Ballo in together there is still way too much inside. Reneau really has not, and probably never, stretched the floor enough and Ballo will never try to score outside of 10 ft.
Going forward, Woodson may need to trim the lineup of Reneau-Ballo a little bit more as far as it comes to seeing them both on the floor. Indiana basketball statically has been better with only one big in the game.
Indiana better be ready to play with toughness
It was mentioned a little bit earlier and it well-documented, but this Indiana basketball team still needs to get tougher. After getting whooped by both Louisville and Gonzaga down in Atlantis, the toughness of the Hoosiers was questioned greatly.
The last two games, you have seen their toughness get a little bit better, but not by much as of yet. There is still room for growth in that area.
“All toughness,” said Luke Goode. “I think we have one of the most talented teams in the country. The day that I got here every single guy that’s getting major minutes and even the guys that aren’t, the talent on this team is ridiculous. I think it’s the best talent this program has had in a long time.”
“At the end of the day, it comes down to who plays the hardest. I think we just didn’t play the hardest. It’s something we fixed during the week. I think we came out today and played a lot harder on defense. Tweaked a couple things.”
This Miami (OH) team is going to have toughness so Indiana better be ready to match it.
Read: ‘I’m one of the best shooters in the conference’: Luke Goode scores career high in points, guides Indiana basketball to 97-71 win over Sam Houston
Series History
Indiana holds a series record of 22-3 over Miami (Ohio). The Hoosiers have won six straight, 16 of the last 17, and 14-of-16 games in Bloomington in the series.
All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis led the Hoosiers to an 86-56 victory over the RedHawks with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists on Nov. 20, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Jalen Hood-Schifino added 12 points and Miller Kopp scored 10 points in the game.
Indiana basketball Injury Updates
Gabe Cupps: Cupps missed last game. He is questionable.
Kanaan Carlyle: Carlyle missed the last two games. He is questionable.
Quick Hitters
Who?: Indiana (6-2) vs Miami (OH) (5-2)
When?: Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 • 7 p.m. ET
Where?: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222) • Bloomington, Ind.
TV: BTN (Connor Onion, Shon Morris)
Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)
Betting Lines: Indiana is listed as a 19-point favorite
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