Indiana will search for a season sweep when it hosts Penn State tonight at Simon Skjodt Meeting Corridor. Penn State is 15-13 total and 5-12 in Large Ten play.
Tonight’s sport will tip at 8:30 p.m. ET on BTN:
Indiana’s NCAA event hopes are alive following Sunday’s win in opposition to Purdue. However the Hoosiers have work to do over their remaining 4 common season video games.
Up first is a rematch in opposition to Penn State, which has received two in a row after a seven-game dropping streak. Indiana received the primary matchup 77-71 on Jan. 5 on the Palestra in Philadelphia.
THE FIRST MEETING
Indiana’s early second-half run was essential in its win in opposition to the Nittany Lions final month. At halftime, Indiana and Penn State have been tied at 29, however the Hoosiers went on a 12-0 run out of the locker room.
Sophomore Mackenzie Mgbako was pivotal in that stretch as he scored eight factors in simply over a minute, forcing Mike Rhoades to make use of a timeout. However the break didn’t flip the momentum because the Hoosiers wanted lower than three minutes to push the result in double figures and take management at one of many nation’s most historic venues.
Fifth-year senior Oumar Ballo was additionally pivotal within the win, because the Nittany Lions had no reply for him within the publish. Ballo completed with 25 factors, 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocked photographs regardless of battling foul bother.
Indiana additionally dealt with Penn State’s stress protection, which ranks third within the convention in forcing turnovers. Getting into the sport in early January, the Nittany Lions had been forcing 17 turnovers per sport. Indiana dedicated solely 14 within the win.
The win on the Palestra additionally featured considered one of IU’s higher perimeter capturing performances this season. After an underwhelming 2-for-11 mark within the first half, the Hoosiers shot 7-for-12 within the second half to complete 9-for-23 for the sport. Mgbako made 4 3-pointers and Luke Goode went 3-for-5.
Penn State, in the meantime, was dreadful from the perimeter. The Nittany Lions went 3-for-21 on 3s, a significant cause Penn State managed simply 1.01 factors per possession regardless of capturing 61.9 % on 2s.
Guard Ace Baldwin struggled within the Penn State loss, ending with 12 factors on 5-for-15 capturing. Baldwin dished out seven assists however dedicated three turnovers as foul points restricted his minutes to 31. Over his final three video games, Baldwin has 23 assists and 14 steals.
TEMPO-FREE PREVIEW
(All stats within the chart above are from convention video games solely and are up to date by means of Monday.)
The keys for achievement in opposition to Penn State are clear: maintain the ball and maintain the Nittany Lions off the foul line.
Penn State ranks third within the convention in defensive turnover proportion (18.5) and first in free throw price (FTA/FGA) at 39.2 %. The Nittany Lions discovered success on the Palestra attacking Indiana off the dribble, notably within the second half.
The Nittany Lions are one of many Large Ten’s worst rebounding groups, rating sixteenth within the convention in offensive rebounding proportion and fifteenth in defensive rebounding proportion. Additionally they wrestle to defend within the paint, as convention foes shoot 55.1 % on 2s, which ranks fifteenth within the convention.
WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO
KenPom initiatives a five-point Indiana victory with a 70 % probability of the Hoosiers profitable. Bart Torvik’s scores favor IU by six with a 71 % probability of a victory.
This sport is vital for each groups for various causes. As soon as 12-1 total and 2-1 within the Large Ten, Penn State is presently on the surface trying in for the Large Ten event. With the brand new 15-team format this season, three groups keep dwelling, and proper now, the Nittany Lions could be a type of groups.
Indiana seemingly must go 3-1 over its remaining 4 video games to have a practical shot to make the NCAA event discipline. The Hoosiers are unbeaten in Quad 2, 3 and 4 video games and tonight’s sport is a Quad 2 contest.
Whereas the 2024-25 season has been disappointing, Indiana can nonetheless finish the Mike Woodson period on a excessive be aware by reaching the NCAA event. The Hoosiers have been enjoying higher currently however should come out with the identical power and focus displayed within the second half of Sunday’s win in opposition to Purdue.
(Photograph credit score: IU Athletics)
Class: Commentary
Filed to: Penn State Nittany Lions
