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

Previewing Indiana basketball vs Northwestern by looking at storylines, injuries, how to watch and much more.

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Previewing Indiana basketball vs Northwestern by looking at storylines, injuries, how to watch and much more. (Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch)

Indiana basketball continues Big Ten Conference play in its 125th season of competition at Northwestern at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Hoosiers are coming off a big overtime win over Ohio State last weekend.

The Wildcats enter the game with a record of 11-7 (2-5 Big Ten) under 12th-year head coach Chris Collins. Northwestern is led by 20.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game from junior forward Nick Martinelli. Senior guard Brooks Barnhizer adds 18.4 points, a team-best 9.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per contest. Graduate senior guard Jalen Leach has averaged 13.7 points per night and has shot 36.1% from behind the arc.

Tipoff is set for 7:00 ET on BTN.

Below is the full preview.

Watch: Mike Woodson discusses Indiana basketball ahead of Northwestern matchup

Key Indiana basketball Storyline

Can the Hoosiers win back-to-back road games for the first time this season?

Indiana basketball got a much-needed, gritty win over Ohio State on the road in what was the Hoosiers’ second road win of the game. Now, they yet another road game tonight when they travel to Northwestern.

The question is, can Indiana basketball win back-to-back road games?

The Hoosiers are in a really weird spot right now with the five wins they have in the conference but also have some really embarrassing losses as well. They are also in thick of their toughest stretch of the season thus far so any win is a plus.

If the Hoosiers get another road win, the momentum could be there for Indiana basketball to fully turn this thing around.

More: ‘You can’t go in there with a soft attitude and soft mind’: IU basketball seeks consistency through toughness amid opportunistic stretch

Series History

The Hoosiers have defeated the Wildcats 120 times in 176 chances. The 120 IU victories mark the most against any opponent and Indiana’s 68.2 winning percentage is the highest against any Big Ten Conference opponent with a minimum of 100 games played. Northwestern has won four straight in the series, including a 76-72 result in Bloomington on Feb. 18, 2024.

Aljami Durham and Armaan Franklin combined for 47 points, seven rebounds, and seven steals the last time Indiana left Evanston with a victory. The Hoosiers earned a 79-76 win in double overtime on Feb. 10, 2021. Trayce Jackson-Davis added a 10-point, 14-rebound double-double.

Read: Luke Goode continues to elevate his game, making ‘big shots’ for Indiana basketball along the way

Indiana basketball Injury Updates

Gabe Cupps: Indiana basketball sophomore guard Gabe Cupps underwent a successful surgery to treat a preexisting, nagging injury to his lower body. He is out for the season.

Jakai Newton: Indiana redshirt freshman guard Jakai Newton underwent successful surgery to treat an injury to his lower body. He has been dressed the last two games but has only appeared in one.

Malik Reneau: After scoring the first bucket of the game, the junior power forward went down on the defensive end holding his right knee vs Rutgers. He left the game and finally returned to the bench in the 2nd half but did not get back in. He missed the games vs Penn State, USC, Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio State. He is questionable for today’s game vs Northwestern.

Bryson Tucker: The freshman wing missed the Ohio State game with a dislocated finger. He is questionable for tonight’s game vs Northwestern.

Quick Hitters

Who?: Indiana (14-5) (5-3) vs Northwestern (11-7) (2-5)

When?: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 • 7 p.m. ET

Where?: Welsh-Ryan Arena (7,039) • Evanston, Ill.

TV: BTN (Brandon Gaudin, Robbie Hummel, Andy Katz)

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

Betting Lines: Indiana basketball is listed as a 5.5-point underdog per DraftKings Sportsbook.

SEE ALSO: Mike Woodson to go by ‘feel’ when it comes to the starting lineup of Indiana basketball moving forward

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