Indiana Hoosiers Basketball: Previewing game at Minnesota
By Jordan Maly
The Indiana Hoosiers head to Minnesota looking to snap a three-game winning losing streak. We have the preview, statistics, analysis, and places to watch.
It’s turning into a bleak season for the Hoosiers. A season filled with high expectations have dwindled to a sea of disappointment. Indiana has five games remaining in the regular season and four of those being played away from Assembly Hall.
Indiana’s matchup tonight is no less competitive than the last. Minnesota is looking to capitalize on their fourth straight conference win and a place in the NCAA tournament. The Gophers are looking to make their first appearance in the tournament under head coach Richard Pitino. Minnesota sophomore Jordan Murphy received co-Big Ten Player of the Week honors last week which includes two double-doubles and a 25 point game against Iowa. The Gophers are only a few wins away from assuring their spot in March.
The Gophers are only a few wins away from assuring their spot in March. In the latest RPI rankings, Minnesota is No. 26 which was fourth best in the Big Ten behind Purdue, Maryland, and Wisconsin. This would be an ample opportunity for the Hoosiers to play spoiler and pick up a much-needed win. If the Hoosier win tonight, it will be only their second true road win of the season.
It’s hard to tell what Indiana is playing for at this point in the season with NCAA tournament odds virtually gone. A win streak to finish the season would have to put them back in the conversation. That would put the Hoosiers at 20 wins, but consider their lack of success on the road that seems like a long shot now.
Here are some key statistics compiled comparing both teams courtesy of the Big Ten Conference.
(18-7, 6-6). No. 26 in NCAA RPI rankings. MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS. 6th. Big Ten Conference Team Statistics and Position– <strong>Scoring:</strong> 75.2 (5th); <strong>Defense:</strong> 68.0 (7th); <strong>FG%:</strong> 43.2% (11th); <strong>3-pt. FG%:</strong> 34.8% (11th); <strong>Rebound Margin:</strong> +1.2 (11th)
Projected Starting Lineup
Nate Mason (G): 15.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 37.6 FG%
Amir Coffey (G): 12.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 46.0 FG%
Dupree McBrayer (G): 10.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 44.3 FG%
Jordan Murphy (F): 10.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 0.8 APG, 47. 6 FG%
Reggie Lynch (C): 8.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 0.4 APG, 50.0 FG%
Off The Bench
Akeem Springs (G): 10.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 40.4 FG%
Eric Curry (F): 6.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 43.3 FG%
10th. Big Ten Conference Statistics and Position —<strong>Scoring:</strong> 80.6 (2nd) <strong>Defense:</strong> 71.6 (12th) <strong>FG%:</strong> 48.7% (1st) <strong>3 Pt. FG%:</strong> 38.0 (4th) <strong>Rebounding Margin: +8.2 (2nd)</strong>. (15-11, 5-8). No. 91 in NCAA RPI rankings. INDIANA HOOSIERS
Projected Starting Lineup
Josh Newkirk (G): 8.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 43.2 FG%
James Blackmon Jr. (G): 16.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 47.4 FG%
Robert Johnson (G): 13.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.2 APG, 47.0 FG%
Juwan Morgan (F): 6.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 55.6 FG%
Thomas Bryant (C): 13.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 55.4 FG%
Off The Bench
De’Ron Davis (F): 6.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 0.8 APG, 52.6 FG%
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Expecting a response from Indiana guards…
After Tom Crean publicly torched his veteran core of players, I expect to see some type of response from both Blackmon and Johnson. Leadership and maturity don’t grow overnight, but a quick turn around in play on the court can. Both players are vital to the offense Indiana runs and without their production, the Hoosiers struggle.
Not only does it include Blackmon and Johnson, but the Hoosiers need more from Freddie McSwain on the floor. Coming off the bench, he has failed to live up to his role as a contributor for the better part of the season. If the Hoosiers go down early and the offense continues to stagnant, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the freshman on the floor (Devonte Green and Curtis Jones).