Three Hawkeyes to keep an eye on for Indiana basketball on Thursday

No. 15 Indiana basketball takes on Iowa on Thursday night, and the Hoosiers need to keep an eye on these Hawkeyes to come home with a win.

Last season, Iowa took down Indiana basketball in both games, winning on January 13, 83-74 in Iowa City, and then taking down the Hoosiers in the Big Ten semifinals, 80-77, on March 12.

Many players have stepped up for the Hawkeyes over the past two seasons, including both Murray brothers (Keegan and Kris), along with the McCaffery brothers (Patrick and Connor), and many others.

Patrick and Connor McCaffery rank second and third on the team in three-pointers made this season, behind only Kris Murray, and Patrick is third on the team in scoring (12.8 PPG) and first on the team in free throw shooting (92.0 percent).

Here are my three key Hawkeyes that the Hoosiers need to keep an eye on to begin 2023 undefeated:

Three Hawkeyes to keep an eye on for #15 Indiana basketball on Thursday

3. Tony Perkins – Junior Guard – #11

2022-23 stats: 13 GP, 27.6 MIN, 11.3 PPG, 3.3 REB, 3.1 AST, 1.3 STL, 1.6 TOV, 33.3 3P%

Last season against the Hoosiers, Perkins came up big as a leader of the team and point guard, totaling 16 points, four rebounds, six assists, and a steal in 37 total minutes played against the Hoosiers in two games.

While it isn’t much in the box score, his impact and energy on the floor were unmatched by any of the Indiana basketball players, which helped the Hawkeyes earn both wins over Indiana last season.

Although he’s been very off and on this season, Perkins still makes a huge difference for Iowa and is one of the biggest difference-makers on the floor for Fran McCaffery.

Perkins has registered 15 or more points in six games this season, which has resulted in four of Iowa’s six losses. The junior guard has dished out five or more assists in four games this season which accounted for three wins and one loss for the Hawkeyes.