How does Indiana basketball start 2023 with a road win against Iowa?

Indiana basketball has a 12-day break from game action before taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes on January 5, 2023, resuming conference play.

The last time the Hoosiers faced the Hawkeyes, Indiana and Iowa were playing for the right to go to the 2022 Big Ten Championship Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

That game was one for the books as now Sacramento Kings’ rookie, Keegan Murray, recorded 32 points and knocked down 8 three-pointers in 39 minutes of action. Trayce Jackson-Davis, on the other hand, had one of his best games in an Indiana basketball uniform with 31 points on 15-for-21 shooting from the field, adding in 10 rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in 38 minutes.

The Hoosiers led the Hawkeyes for 33 of the 40 minutes, and with just three lead changes and six times tied, Iowa and Indiana were tied with two minutes remaining in the game at 71-71. Going back and forth, Xavier Johnson forced a turnover and got a fast break layup for his 20th point of the game and tied it up at 77-77 with 30 seconds remaining.

With 29 seconds of great defense, Jordan Bohannon threw up a heave of a three-point shot with less than one second remaining and banks in a three-point shot to end the Hoosiers Big Ten title hopes.

If you wish to relive that heartbreaking loss, check out The Journey video below from the Big Ten Network:

For this season, Iowa started out 5-0 with wins over Seton Hall and Clemson, but since November 26, the Hawkeyes have lost every other game, including losses to TCU, No. 15 Duke, Wisconsin, and, if you can believe it, Eastern Illinois.

While Indiana basketball has a 12-day break and does not play anyone prior to kicking off the Big Ten season against Iowa on January 5, the Hawkeyes play two Big Ten road games against Nebraska and Penn State before next Thursday’s matchup.

The Hoosiers will need to flourish on offense and hang with the high-scoring offense of Iowa if they want a chance to win, but if they can show some grit and toughness defensively, Indiana basketball has a shot to come back home with their second conference win of the season and first conference road win of 2022-23.

Will we see a healthy Trayce Jackson-Davis play on January 5? Does Tamar Bates carry his hot shooting into the new year? Can Jalen Hood-Schifino perform against Big Ten defense? All of these questions will soon be answered!