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#16 Indiana Basketball Preview: Hoosiers prep for Big Ten Opener

By Dante Pryor

Mar 4, 2023; Minneapolis, MINN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Sara Scalia (14) drives to the basket while Ohio State Buckeyes forward Taylor Thierry (2) defends during the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2023; Minneapolis, MINN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Sara Scalia (14) drives to the basket while Ohio State Buckeyes forward Taylor Thierry (2) defends during the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mackenzie Holmes and #16 Indiana Basketball open Big Ten Play against Rutgers on the road.

The exhibition season is officially over. No more playing mid-major schools, though they have a ranked win on their resume. Indiana basketball (7-1) opens its Big Ten season against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-5). Both teams enter the game with momentum.

The Knights have won their last three games after defeating La Salle. Indiana has won six consecutive games after an early loss to #15 Stanford. Scarlet Knights’ guard Kaylene Smikle leads the team in scoring (16.8 points per game), while Mackenzie Holmes leads the Hoosiers (18.2).

Indiana basketball leads the all-time 7-6, including winning the last four. This is the first time since 2019 that the Hoosiers have traveled to Piscataway. Indiana and Rutgers were supposed to play at the RAC in 2021, but it was canceled because of COVID-19.

Expectations for the game. 

Indiana basketball has one of the best in-game coaches in college basketball. Teri Moren showed how well he can adjust in their comeback against Maine. Rutgers has struggled with teams with a solid inside-outside game, and the Hoosiers fit the bill. The 1-2 punch of Holmes and Sara Scalia should prove too much for the Scarlet Knights.

These are the games Indiana has to win. They are the better team with the better players. The Hoosiers need to go to the RAC and take care of business.

Look ahead for Indiana Basketball:

Though the Hoosiers open conference play on Saturday, they have two final non-conference games against Evansville and Bowling Green. Their game against the Aces is the first of a four-game home stand with interstate rivals Illinois and Michigan.

Mackenzie Holmes has set the record for most made field goals in school history as she sets her eyes on breaking the all-time scoring record held by Tyra Buss.

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