But IU’s conference record is not indicative of its record throughout the season. Overall, IU is 18-10 this season, the same exact record through 28 games as last year’s Hoosier team. Last year’s team went on to finish 44-15 and was the ?No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Both teams have went through rough patches this season. This year, IU has won just three of its last nine games. Last year, IU started its season by winning just two of its first seven.
The record through 28 games is not the only similarity between last year’s team and this year’s thus far in the season. IU has 15 home games remaining in 2015, the same as in 2014 at this point in the season. IU also has the same win percentage against the top 50 teams in the RPI and actually has a better win percentage against teams in the top 100 of the RPI.
The worst IU has been ranked in the RPI this season has been No. 49. Last year’s team’s worst ranking was at No. 47.
Last season’s team was actually worse in the Nolan Power Index when it was ranked No. 77. The worst NPI ranking for this year’s Hoosier team has been ?No. 54.
The Hoosiers have outscored their opponents by a total of 42 runs this season. At this point last season, IU had outscored its opponents by 40 runs.
IU still has 25 games remaining this season, giving it plenty of time to improve its national ranking and RPI before the NCAA Tournament field is selected.
The Hoosiers also have 15 conference games ?remaining this season to improve its conference standing before the Big Ten Tournament.
Michael Hughes
