Meet the Big Ten

ILLINOIS
Last season vs. IU 2-0
This season vs. IU Jan. 27 at IU; March 5 or 6 at Illinois.

OUTLLOK The Hoosiers played the Fighting Illini the tightest last season, but the crew in orange won both contests by a combined eight points. Illini senior center Mike Tisdale, who scored 27 points against IU in the first victory, leads the team after averaging 11.9 points and six rebounds last season.

WISCONSIN
Last season vs. IU 2-0
This season vs. IU Jan. 20 at Wisconsin; March 2 or 3 at IU.

OUTLOOK The Badgers handed the Hoosiers their worst loss in Assembly Hall history last February in a 78-46 victory, one of their 13 conference wins last season. Senior forward Jon Leuer was Sports Illustrated’s choice for Big Ten Player of the Year
after averaging 15.4 points and 5.8 rebounds last season.

MINNESOTA
Last season vs. IU 1-1
This season vs. IU Jan. 4 at Minnesota; Feb. 2 at IU.

OUTLOOK The Golden Gophers are best remembered in Bloomington for being the team the Hoosiers bounced in an overtime game in January last season, 81-78. Minnesota returns three starters, including senior guard Lawrence Westbrook and his 12.8 points per game last year.

PURDUE
Last season vs. IU 2-0
This season vs. IU Feb. 8 at
Purdue; Feb. 23 at IU.

OUTLOOK In February, the Hoosiers took the Boilermakers to the brink in a 78-75 loss in Assembly Hall. But in March, Purdue took it to IU in a 74-55 victory at Mackey Arena. They bring back seniors E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson, but senior Robbie Hummel will miss the entire season with a knee injury.

IOWA
Last season vs. IU 2-0
This season vs. IU Jan. 23 at Iowa; Feb. 5 at IU.

OUTLOOK The Hawkeyes only had four Big Ten wins last year, but half of those came against the Hoosiers. New coach Fran
McCaffery takes over a team with four returning starters, led by junior guard Matt Gatens’ 12.3 points per game.

MICHIGAN STATE
Last season vs. IU 1-0
This season vs. IU Jan. 30 at Michigan State.

OUTLOOK The Spartans opened the Big Ten season last year by winning their first nine games, finishing with 14 conference victories, including a 72-58 victory at Assembly Hall. Senior guard Kalin Lucas, who averaged 14.8 points and four assists per game last year, leads them in coach Tom Izzo’s 16th season.

NORTHWESTERN
Last season vs. IU 2-1
This season vs. IU Jan. 9 at Northwestern; Feb. 19 or 20 at IU.

OUTLOOK The Wildcats knocked the Hoosiers out of the first round of the Big Ten tournament last year, and they return four starters to this season’s squad. They are led by forward John Shurna and guard Michael Thompson, who averaged 18.2 and 14.2 points per game last year, respectively.

PENN STATE
Last season vs. IU 0-1
This season vs. IU Dec. 27 at IU.

OUTLOOK The Nittany Lions were the only team to finish worse in the Big Ten than the Hoosiers, going just 3-15 in conference play. They return senior guard Talor Battle, who decided against the NBA draft in the offseason after averaging 18.5 points per game last season, second in the conference.

MICHIGAN
Last season vs. IU 1-1
This season vs. IU Jan. 15 at IU; Feb. 12 at Michigan.

OUTLOOK The Wolverines opened their Big Ten slate with a loss to the Hoosiers and went on to finish 7-11 in conference play. Coach John Beilein enters his fourth season at the helm of the program.

— Compiled by Ryan Winn