After having their best start in Big Ten play in almost 10 years with a 4-1 record, Indiana has now dropped two crucial games in a row, and fans are over it. The Hoosiers lost to No. 19 Illinois 94-69 in a game that was honestly over by halftime when it was 60-32.
With about six minutes left in the first half, and Indiana already down 45-20, Hoosier fans made their feelings known as "Fire Woodson" chants broke out in Assembly Hall.
“Fire Woodson” chant coming from the Indiana student section.
— Dylan Traeger (@dylan_traeger) January 15, 2025
An embarrassing start from Indiana in the first half. #iubb pic.twitter.com/C6GbVBfwvL
This is now the second game in a row that Indiana has been embarrassed both offensively and defensively. Yes, Indiana doesn't have their leading scorer Malik Reneau on the court with them, but they managed to win three games without him, but now have suddenly fallen apart.
Offensively, the Hoosiers struggled yet again, shooting just 38.5% from the floor and 22.2% from beyond the three-point line. Indiana was also out-rebounded 51-31 overall and only reeled in eight offensive rebounds compared to 16 for Illinois. The Fighting Illini definitely won the turnover battle as they protected the ball and only had six turnovers, while the Hoosiers had 11.
Mackenzie Mgbako had yet another lackluster performance for the third game in a row, as he scored just four points on the night, going 1-10 from the floor and 0-3 from the triple-point line. Four of the five starters for Indiana scored in double-digits, with Oumar Ballo leading the way with 16 points and 15 rebounds. However, Ballo had an early exit in the game after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul with about two and a half minutes left for shoving Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić.
A scuffle broke out towards the end of the game when a common foul was called on Luke Goode, and Ivišić got in the face of Goode after the call. Myles Rice came in and shoved Ivišić away, which caused all the players to come in and get in on the action. At one point, Ballo shoved Ivišić back, causing him to fall, and after a review, fouls were assessed.
Indiana will need to pick themselves up quickly as they have to go on the road to Ohio State on Friday, January 17 at 8:00 p.m. EST on Fox for their best Big Ten matchup.