Hoosier State of Mind
Fansided

Indiana Basketball: Hoosiers in the middle of a muddled Big Ten

By Adam Childs

COLUMBUS, OHIO - FEBRUARY 01: Trayce Jackson-Davis #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers catches the ball while being guarded by Kyle Young #25 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of their game at Value City Arena on February 01, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - FEBRUARY 01: Trayce Jackson-Davis #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers catches the ball while being guarded by Kyle Young #25 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of their game at Value City Arena on February 01, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- FEBRUARY 2: Forward Luka Garza #55 celebrates with forward Cordell Pemsl #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes after a basket in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 2, 2020 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- FEBRUARY 2: Forward Luka Garza #55 celebrates with forward Cordell Pemsl #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes after a basket in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 2, 2020 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Just missed the cut

5. Iowa Hawkeyes

6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Raise your hand if you had Iowa and Rutgers in the top six of the conference before the season started. Ok, now put it down because you are lying. Yes, the Hawkeyes had Luka Garza coming back, but nobody could have thought he would become the best player in the Big Ten this year.

Iowa also had Joe Wieskamp coming back after a very good freshman season, but they didn’t have much else and seemed allergic to playing defense. They still struggle to play defense sometimes, but they can flat out score with anybody in the Big Ten and probably the whole country. The only thing holding them back is a terrible loss to Nebraska, otherwise, they would be at the top of the Big Ten.

Rutgers is on a mini two-game losing streak, but they have to be the biggest surprise team in the Big Ten. They play about as good of defense as Illinois does and they get just enough scoring to beat you. They play hard for 40 minutes and make life tough for anybody they are playing.

Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr. are leading the way for the Scarlet Knights. Akwasi Yeboah has also been a force scoring in double figures and shooting the ball well. Rutgers has played very well at home and continues to surprise. They look ready to make a rare tournament appearance.

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