Hoosiers defeat No.3 Wisconsin 75-72
The streak is over. IU had lost its previous 12 matchups against Wisconsin and IU Coach Tom Crean had never defeated the Badgers since arriving in Bloomington.
The streak is over. IU had lost its previous 12 matchups against Wisconsin and IU Coach Tom Crean had never defeated the Badgers since arriving in Bloomington.
Despite Wisconsin making its first seven shot attempts of the game, the Hoosiers fought back to cut the Badgers’ lead to 35-34 at halftime.
It’s no secret that Wisconsin has had IU’s number in basketball in recent years. Despite the Hoosiers’ 94-67 all-time lead in the series, the Badgers have won their last 12 games against IU.
The last time the Hoosiers defeated the Badgers was Jan. 31, 2007.
This is not a joke. The curse Wisconsin athletics has over IU athletics is legitimate.No. 3 Wisconsin (16-0, 3-0) has the advantage of just being a better basketball team when they play IU (11-5, 1-2) at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Indiana’s struggles against Wisconsin have been well documented. Last season, the two teams faced each other twice, with the Badgers emerging victorious both times. Wisconsin has won 12 straight games against Indiana, and the last time the Hoosiers defeated the Badgers was Jan. 31, 2007.
IU (11-5, 1-2) held Penn State’s (9-8, 0-4) leading scorer, Tim Frazier, to 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field. Going into Saturday’s game, the graduate student guard was averaging 17.1 points per game, and he had scored 20 points in his previous game against Minnesota.
Sure, IU won Saturday against Penn State, but Hoosier Nation should not be celebrating.
Penn State (9-8, 0-4) led for much of Saturday’s game, but the Hoosiers (11-5, 1-2) fought back to beat PSU 79-76.
After falling behind 17-4 to Penn State in the first four minutes and 20 seconds, IU clawed its way back to cut the Niitany Lions’ lead to 41-37.
With an entire week without a game after suffering a 73-56 defeat to No. 5 Michigan State, IU (10-5, 0-2) has had a lot of time to prepare for its matchup against Penn State (9-7, 0-3) on Saturday.
IU men's basketball looks for a victory Saturday against the Nittany Lions after conference losses during the semester break.
After not playing a game during the week, the Indiana men’s basketball team will travel to University Park, Penn., Saturday to face the Nittany Lions.
Following IU’s 73-56 loss to No. 5 Michigan State at home on Saturday, IU Coach Tom Crean delivered a call to action to freshman forward Noah Vonleh. It was loud and clear; Crean wants Vonleh to have more authority in the paint.
Hoosier victories and losses over break.
Consistent in being inconsistent, the Hoosiers next game against Penn State could go either way.
IU scored just 56 points, the second lowest output of the season. And without a consistent shooter, the offense is doubtful to see improvement.
The Hoosiers' inexperience has led to issues with turnovers throughout the season; IU gives the ball away an average of 16.3 times per game, 3.3 more than last season.
Despite limiting their turnovers to 15, IU was out-rebounded for the first time all season. Michigan State (13-1, 2-0) held a 34-32 advantage on the glass.
IU – the 12th-least experienced team in D-I basketball – will attempt to find a new solution to the No. 5 Spartans as they clash in Assembly Hall Saturday.