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Indiana Basketball: Ranking Hoosiers’ toughest games in December

By Trevor Gersmehl

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 26: Aleem Ford #2 helps Nate Reuvers #35 of the Wisconsin Badgers up after a foul in the first half of their game against the New Mexico Lobos at Barclays Center on November 26, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 26: Aleem Ford #2 helps Nate Reuvers #35 of the Wisconsin Badgers up after a foul in the first half of their game against the New Mexico Lobos at Barclays Center on November 26, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack reacts against the Florida Gators in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack reacts against the Florida Gators in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

5. Arkansas Razorbacks

Hoosier fans will likely be familiar with the Arkansas Razorbacks from last season, when Indiana traveled to Fayetteville and lost, then played them again in the NIT and won.

This team is different but boasts a lot of talent. There’s no Daniel Gafford this year, who ate Indiana’s lunch in last year’s game and is now playing in the NBA. However, Arkansas now has coach Eric Musselman (formerly of Nevada), who has really helped them so far this season.

The Razorbacks are led by guards Mason Jones and Isaiah Joe, who are as talented as any backcourt duo in the country. They combine to score just over 34 points per game and are backed up by what has been a stout defense so far. They have allowed opponents to shoot just 18 percent from three (best in the NCAA) and 36 percent from the field as a team so far this season.

Arkansas took a similar scheduling route as Indiana, going 7-0 against less than stellar competition, but they are still a very tough opponent.

Thankfully the Hoosiers play this game at home, which will help, but it will still be tough to pull out a victory.

Indiana/Arkansas is turning into a little bit of a non-conference rivalry, which will add to the entertainment value of the game, as both games last year went down to the wire with Indiana coming out on top in the season series by just two points.

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