How could Indiana basketball beat red-hot Northwestern on Sunday?

No. 15 Indiana basketball travels back home to Bloomington to take on the Northwestern Wildcats, who have won six of their last seven games since December.

Without Race Thompson, who’s out indefinitely with a leg injury he suffered in the first half against Iowa, the Hoosiers are hoping to rebound from a devastating road loss at Iowa, a game they led by 21 points at one point.

Here are my keys for Indiana basketball to beat Northwestern on Sunday afternoon:

Keys to an Indiana basketball victory over Northwestern

Dominate the paint with TJD

Despite Northwestern having a 7-footer as their anchor on defense, Trayce Jackson-Davis and the Hoosiers should be able to find creative ways to get him the ball in the paint and let him dominate against a guard-heavy Northwestern team.

Jackson-Davis owned the Hawkeyes on Sunday, with 30 points on 11-for-20 shooting from the field, but his health is what’s in question at this point in time. Get TJD the ball and let him get to work!

Jalen Hood-Schifino needs to continue to look to score

After setting another career-high on Thursday against Iowa with 21 points, Jalen Hood-Schifino needs to step up another level after Race Thompson and Xavier Johnson both are out indefinitely.

Over his last three games, Hood-Schifino is averaging 18.7 points on 59.4 percent shooting from the field and 61.5 percent shooting from deep, along with 6.3 assists. He’s been in complete control of the Hoosiers and the floor when he’s out there, and that needs to continue on Sunday.

Miller Kopp needs to hit shots against his former team

Miller Kopp played three years of college basketball with Northwestern prior to transferring to Mike Woodson’s Indiana basketball program last season. In his only game against the Wildcats last season, Kopp shot 1-for-7 from the field and scored just three points in his return.

Despite his lackluster performance offensively against Iowa on Thursday, Kopp is averaging 11.4 points on 50.9 percent shooting from the field and 39.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc over his last seven games. Kopp needs to show up in a big way to replace Race Thompson’s efforts and energy.

Projected Starters for No. 15 Indiana basketball vs. Northwestern

Indiana

G – Jalen Hood-Schifino
G – Tamar Bates
F – Miller Kopp
F – Jordan Geronimo (replacing injured Race Thompson)
F – Trayce Jackson-Davis

Northwestern

G – Boo Buie
G – Chase Audige
G – Ty Berry
F – Robbie Beran
F – Matthew Nicholson

Stat line predictions for No. 15 Indiana basketball vs. Northwestern

Jalen Hood-Schifino: 38 MIN | 17 PTS | 5 REB | 8 AST | 7/13 FG | 2/4 3PT | 3 TOV

Boo Buie: 35 MIN | 21 PTS | 6 AST | 7/19 FG | 3/7 3PT | 1 STL | 4 TOV

Trayce Jackson-Davis: 34 MIN | 24 PTS | 11 REB | 9/13 FG | 6/10 FT | 2 BLK

Chase Audige: 34 MIN | 16 PTS | 5 REB | 5/12 FG | 2/6 3PT | 2 STL

Tamar Bates: 33 MIN | 15 PTS | 2 AST | 5/11 FG | 5/9 3PT | 1 STL | 2 TOV

Ty Berry: 28 MIN | 10 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST | 4/9 FG | 2/4 3PT | 2 STL | 3 TOV