Can Indiana basketball earn their first top-10 win since 2016 over Arizona?

No. 14 Indiana basketball is searching for their first victory against a top-10 opponent since 2016 in Saturday’s showtime matchup against No. 10 Arizona. 

The Hoosiers travel over 1,800 miles and the Wildcats travel just over 400 miles where No. 14 Indiana takes on No. 10 Arizona at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Here are my keys for Indiana basketball to get their first top-10 win of the season on Saturday in Las Vegas:

Keys to an Indiana basketball victory over No. 10 Arizona

Hold Arizona’s high-powered offense under 80 points

The Wildcats have scored 80 or more points in seven of their eight games this season, with their lone loss coming in the game where they scored just 66 points against Utah. Since last season, Arizona is 35-0 when they reach 80 points in a game, but holds a record of just 5-5 (.500) when being held under 80 points.

This season, Indiana basketball has held both of their non-conference major conference opponents under 80 points. Since last season, the Hoosiers are 0-5 against ranked opponents when allowing them to score 70+ points in a game, but hold a record of 4-2 (.667) when holding those ranked opponents under 70 points.

Jalen Hood-Schifino needs full control of the offense

Xavier Johnson has 12 points, eight assists, and 13 turnovers in his previous two games. It just happens to be the last two games where Jalen Hood-Schifino has been held out due to back soreness.

Indiana’s offense looks so much more fluid and stronger with Hood-Schifino running the point, or even with Xavier Johnson off of the floor. It’s time to give the five-star freshman the keys and let him drive this team to victory.

Let Trayce Jackson-Davis go to WORK

Trayce Jackson-Davis is coming off the third triple-double in Indiana basketball history, with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against Nebraska on Wednesday. Against No. 18 North Carolina, Jackson-Davis posted 21 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes, and also registered a season-high 30 points on 13-for-16 from the field in the Hoosiers’ road win against Xavier on November 18.

TJD has an opportunity to stand out in Las Vegas and put on a show. Get him the ball and let him make plays for himself and others. If Arizona decides to double-team like Rutgers and Nebraska have done, Jackson-Davis will hopefully make the smart decisions and pass out to open shooters, but expect Oumar Ballo to take on Jackson-Davis one-on-one and TJD will come out on top.

Projected Starters

Indiana

G – Xavier Johnson
G – Jalen Hood-Schifino (Day-to-day — Trey Galloway would replace)
F – Miller Kopp
F – Race Thompson
F – Trayce Jackson-Davis

Arizona

G – Kerr Kriisa
G – Courtney Ramey
G – Pelle Larsson
F – Azuolas Tubelis
F – Oumar Ballo

Stat line predictions for Indiana basketball vs. No. 10 Arizona

Trayce Jackson-Davis: 37 MIN | 31 PTS | 10 REB | 11/16 FG | 8/13 FT | 2 BLK

Azuolas Tubelis: 36 MIN | 13 PTS | 8 REB | 3 AST | 5/16 FG | 3/3 FT | 2 TOV

Jalen Hood-Schifino: 35 MIN | 14 PTS | 4 REB | 7 AST | 6/11 FG | 2/5 3PT | 1 TOV

Oumar Ballo: 34 MIN | 18 PTS | 11 REB | 2 BLK | 8/11 FG | 2/8 FT

Xavier Johnson: 25 MIN | 9 PTS | 5 AST | 3/9 FG | 1/4 3PT | 2/3 FT | 1 STL | 4 TOV

Kerr Kriisa: 38 MIN | 9 PTS | 8 AST | 3/10 FG | 3/8 3PT | 3 STL | 3 TOV