After posting an overall record of 17-13 with a 6-12 mark in Big Ten play, the Indiana women's basketball team is on the outside looking in for most NCAA Tournament bracket projections. Teri Moren's squad is the No. 13 seed in the conference tournament, and will need an impressive run to change the minds of bracketologists.
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Indiana's opponent for the First Round of the Big Ten Tournament will be the 12th-seeded Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska finished just ahead to Indiana in the conference standings, owning an overall record of 18-11 and a Big Ten record of 7-11. As it stands, the Cornhuskers are tentatively projected as an 11 seed for the big dance according to ESPN.
As the Hoosiers prepare to battle the Huskers on Wednesday, there is one essential stat that IU must prioritize in order to boost their chances of finding the win column.
The turnover battle could make or break Indiana's Big Ten Tournament fate
Turnovers are always a key metric to keep an eye on during postseason basketball, but Indiana winning the turnover battle could be the difference in this matchup. The Hoosiers rank dead last in the Big Ten forcing just 12.0 turnovers per game. Needless to say, that number needs to increase against the Huskers on Wednesday.
However, when Indiana protects the basketball on offense and forces turnovers on defense, the results have been ideal. Throughout the regular season, the Hoosiers went 8-1 when winning the turnover battle. Nebraska ranks sixth in the Big Ten committing 13.9 turnovers per game, so the opportunities could be there. The Hoosiers then have to make sure to capitalize on their chances.
These teams previously met this season back on January 8 in Lincoln, with Nebraska prevailing by a score of 78-73. IU lost the turnover battle in that meeting, as the Hoosiers committed 11 turnovers while forcing the Huskers to commit just seven turnovers. Nebraska was able to turn those turnovers into 19 points, while Indiana managed just nine points off Nebraska's turnovers. That 10-point difference loomed large in what ended up being a five-point game.
In what should be an evenly-matched contest, it's imperative that the Hoosiers prioritize taking care of the basketball and forcing the Cornhuskers into turnovers early and often. Tip-off between IU and Nebraska is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday afternoon from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.