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

Indiana basketball continues Big Ten Conference play in its 125th season  in men’s basketball on the road against Iowa at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hoosiers are coming off another win in Big Ten play vs USC.

The Hawkeyes enter the game with a record of 11-4 (2-2 Big Ten) under 15-year head coach Fran McCaffery. Iowa ranks second in the country in scoring offense at 89.9 points per game. They average 10.8 made 3-pointers per game and shoot the long ball at a 39.1% clip. Six Hawkeyes average at least 9.0 points per game, led by 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per night from sophomore forward Owen Freeman. Senior wing Payton Sandfort adds 16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per outing.

Tipoff is set for 8 pm on FOX.

Below is the full preview.

Read: ‘Water finds its level’: Luke Goode finding new level of consistency for Indiana basketball

Key Indiana basketball Storyline

Next 11 games are Quad 1 opportunities 

These next 11 games are so crucial for the sake of this Indiana basketball season. With Hoosiers having only one Quad 1 win on the year, Indiana basketball has a chance to solidify themselves as an NCAA Tournament team this next stretch of a 11 games.

The Hoosiers are playing some real good basketball right now, the best that they have played all season. They have won their last 5 and other than the Nebraska loss, they look like a team that can compete for a Big Ten Championship.

Indiana basketball won’t be looking ahead other than what is on their schedule as far as the next game. Their next game is on the road against a very streaky Iowa team. Hoosiers have had their battles with Iowa over the past few seasons and you honestly just never know what you are going to get from Iowa each season.

Getting another quad 1 win on the road would be massive for Indiana.

“One game at a time I think. I mean, when you go on the road we’re focused on our next game, which is Iowa,” said Trey Galloway. “Whenever you go on the road it’s always challenging and you got to bring it. Just focusing in on Iowa and knowing we got to do, and it starts tomorrow with our preparation.”

Saturday’s game will mark the 190th installment of the rivalry between Indiana and Iowa. The Hoosiers have won 107 times in the series, including a 74-68 result in the lone meeting between the two programs last season on Jan. 30, 2024, in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

First-round draft pick Kel’el Ware compiled 23 points (8-of-10 shooting), 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots in Indiana’s victory last season. Fifth-year senior guard Anthony Leal scored a career-high 13 points, shooting 4-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Leal also recorded a career-high seven rebounds, one assist, and one block.

SEE ALSO: ‘Scrappy’ and a team that ‘doesn’t quit’. With identity beginning to form, Indiana basketball hitting its stride at the right time

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