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

#14 Indiana basketball opened up the Battle 4 Atlantis with an awful 89-61 loss to Louisville.

The blowout loss sent Indiana to the losers side of the tournament bracket, matching Indiana up with #3 Gonzaga.

Gonzaga dropped its first game of the tournament, facing West Virginia in the opening round.

The game was a nail-biter that went to overtime, but West Virginia ultimately overpowered Gonzaga in the final minutes.

The loss doesn’t quite define Gonzaga as a team. Going into the tournament, Gonzaga had a 5-0 record with key wins against #8 Baylor, Arizona State and San Diego State.

Gonzaga has five players averaging double digit points in Graham Ike (13.o), Khalif Battle (14.7), Braden Huff (14.8), Nolan Hickman (11.5) and Ryan Nembhard (11.3).

Nembhard, a senior guard, averages 9.8 assists per game, which ranks first this season amongst NCAA division one players. Nembhard has totaled 10 or more assists in four games this season.

Tipoff is set for 2:30 pm ET and will be on ESPN2.

Below is the full preview of Indiana basketball vs Gonzaga.

Key Indiana basketball storylines

Backcourt offensive troubles

Indiana’s backcourt shot just 3-for-20 from the field, while shooting 2-for-7 from beyond the arc. Two of the made attempts came in garbage time, as Anthony Leal shot efficiently as time was expiring in the second half.

The performance Indiana’s backcourt put on the court Wednesday afternoon was inexcusable, digging a hole for Indiana early on in the game.

Going into the tournament, Indiana’s backcourt was shooting 46% from the field and 37% from three point area.

Bad games happen, which is understandable. In Indiana’s case, the shooting display from the backcourt against Louisville was as bad as it could get. Fortunately for Indiana, the team can rely on a handful of forwards to knock down shots.

In the scenario that the backcourt does continue to struggle on offense, the team will turn immediately to forwards Luke Goode, Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau and Bryson Tucker.

Read: ‘We just gotta get a little tougher’: Indiana Basketball was ’embarrassed’ by Louisville in the opening game of Battle 4 Atlantis

Turnover machines

Indiana turned the ball over a season high 23 times in the loss versus Louisville. Indiana had eight more turnovers than Louisville.

Starters Oumar Ballo and Kanaan Carlyle led the team in turnovers, each having four.

The 23 turnovers were the most in a game from Indiana since 12/17/2022, when Indiana had 23 turnovers against Kansas in a 84-62 loss.

Mike Woodson’s offense is now averaging 15.2 turnovers per game this season.

Related: Mike Woodson wanted ‘these games’ for Indiana basketball. With another massive opportunity on the horizon, he’s looking for more than a ‘bounce back’

Gonzaga had some big wins going into the tournament

Looking aside from Gonzaga’s loss to West Virginia in game one of the tournament, Gonzaga had some legitimate big wins to start the season.

Gonzaga opened up the season facing #8 Baylor. Not only did Gonzaga win, but Gonzaga blew out Baylor by 38 points. Gonzaga’s defense limited Baylor’s offensive ability, forcing Baylor to shoot 37.1% from the field and 14.3% from three point land.

Gonzaga followed up the win with another power five victory, defeating Arizona State 88-80.

Gonzaga played a strong game, out rebounding Arizona State by nine rebounds. The Bulldogs stayed out of foul trouble, committing just 10 fouls throughout the game.

Lastly, Gonzaga took down San Diego State on the road, 80-67.

San Diego State, a difficult matchup on the road, has quickly become a big time program, making the March Madness tournament in each of the last two years, dancing all the way to the National Championship in 2023.

The Aztecs have played some competitive basketball this season, defeating Creighton 71-53 in the Players Era Festival – Power Tournament.

There’s no doubt Gonzaga is a legitimate team. Its success in true test matchups reflects the talent and depth the team has.

Watch: Indiana Basketball Q&A: Mike Woodson and players preview Battle 4 Atlantis

Series History

The two programs have met four previous times, all on a neutral floor. The teams have split the overall series. Indiana defeated Gonzaga 76-75 in the second round of the 2002 Maui Invitational. IU, behind tournament MVP Bracey Wright. Indiana went on to top Virginia to claim the Maui Invitational championship.

The Hoosiers also earned a 70-57 win over the Bulldogs in the opening round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament in Sacramento behind a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double from All-American D.J. White.

Gonzaga’s two wins came in the second round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament (90-80) in Salt Lake City and in the 2008 Hartford Classic (70-54) in Indianapolis.

Related: Key takeaways from the 89-61 loss for Indiana basketball against Louisville

Indiana basketball Injury Updates

Anthony Leal: Leal made his season debut Wednesday afternoon against Louisville, scoring five points on two-for-two shooting from the field and one-for-one shooting from beyond the arc. Leal played in four minutes, as he was previously dealing with a lower body injury.

Gabe Cupps: In the Louisville game, Cupps checked in for the first time since the Eastern Illinois matchup. Cupps logged six minutes, being held scoreless on three shot attempts from the field and two shot attempts from three. The sophomore guard added an assist and a steal.

Jakai Newton: Newton has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury and his status is unclear ahead of the game.

Read: Indiana basketball will test its depth this week as three games in three days finds its way to roster still nursing some injuries

Quick Hitters

Who? Indiana (4-1) vs Gonzaga (5-1)

When? Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 • 2:30 p.m. ET

Where? Imperial Ballroom • Paradise Islands, Bahamas

TV: ESPN2 (Beth Mowins, Debbie Antonelli)

Radio: IU Radio Network (Austin Render, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)

Betting Lines: Indiana basketball is listed as a 9.5-point underdog according to FanDuel Sportsbook with an over/under set at 154.5.

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