Indiana at Minnesota — Live discussion thread

Game Day Essentials

Minnesota (18-11, 9-9) vs. Indiana (16-13, 8-10)

• Tip Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern, Wednesday
• Location: Williams Arena (14,625),  Minneapolis, Minn.
• Television: BTN (Cory Provus and Stephen Bardo)
• Stream:  Fox Sports
• IU Radio Network: IU Radio Network
• Point Spread:  Minnesota is a 5.5 point favorite
• KenPom Projected Score: No. 95 Indiana 72 – No. 61 Minnesota 78
• Series: Indiana leads, 108-69.

Three Keys from last matchup

Indiana beat Minnesota 74-62 in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Jan. 12.

1. A solid defensive effort.  Minnesota shot just 39 percent from the field overall, including 15 percent from 3-point range.  Indiana’s defensive pressure caused 14 Golden Gopher turnovers.  Minnesota’s three starting guards (Mitchell, Hawkins, Christie) shot just 4-of-28 from the field.  Fueled by defensive intensity, IU jumped out to an 11-2 lead to start the game and never trailed.

2. Balanced scoring.  Indiana had four players in double figures, including three with 16 or more points.  Mgbako led the way with a career-high 19, while Kel’el Ware added 17, Malik Reneau had 16, and Trey Galloway chipped in 10.  That group gave Indiana good inside/out balance as well.  The Hoosiers made 6-of-14 from three (42.9 percent), but only made 16-of-27 (59.3 percent) from the free throw line.

3. Assists > Turnovers.  After struggling mightily with turnovers in several recent games, Indiana was better in this one with 10.  Led by Trey Galloway’s seven, the Hoosiers had 17 assists on the night.  Galloway has improved substantially as a facilitator.  He’s averaging more than six assists per game over his last six contests.

Minnesota’s results and roster

Minnesota’s Game Notes (via Minnesota Athletics)

GARCIA NAMED KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR CENTER OF THE YEAR FINALIST

• Dawson Garcia has been named a top-10 finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, announced Feb. 2 by Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Garcia is one of two Big Ten players named to the top-10 list.
•  Despite missing three games to injury, Garcia leads the Golden Gophers in points (453), points per game (17.4), rebounds (166), rebounds per game (6.4), free throws attempted (163) and free throws made (133).

BALANCED SCORING

• The Gophers had five individuals score double figures in the Illinois loss last Wednesday.
  The Gophers had five individuals in double figure scoring against UTSA, New Orleans, Nebraska, Ball State, Maine, at Michigan, at Penn State, Northwestern, at Iowa, Rutgers and at Illinois.
• Minnesota has also had four individuals in double-digit scoring this year (vs. UAPB, FGCU, IUPUI, Maryland and Penn State). When the Gophers have four or more players score double-digits, they are 16-2.

HAWKINS SETTING IT UP

• Elijah Hawkins ranks second nationally in assists per game (7.5) and fourth nationally in total assists at 211. Hawkins has now broken school records in both game assists (17 vs. IUPUI) and single season record (211).
• He ranks second in NCAA active leaders in assists per game at 6.34 per game. He trails only Penn College’s Gavin Barrett (DIII) and ranks first among NCAA active career leaders.
• Against Michigan State, Hawkins also established his 500th career assist and now sits 27th in NCAA active leaders at 30th with 544.
• Hawkins also has had games in which he had double-digit points, including seven against Big Ten opponents. The Washington, D.C., native also has six double-digit assist games this season. He also ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 31st nationally in assist/turnover ratio at 2.85.

BRINGIN’ THE PAYNE

• Pharrel Payne averages 10.1 points in Big Ten play and 6.8 rebounds in 17 games. The sophomore averages 26.4 minutes in league action and has 24 blocks. On the season, Payne has had 12 double-digit point games, including seven in Big Ten action. In addition, he’s had three games in which he’s had double-digit rebounds.

Minnesota’s KenPom notable numbers:

(out of 362 teams)

Tempo – No. 233 (Offense No. 252 / Defense No. 81)

Offensive Efficiency – No. 47

• Minnesota holds an effective field goal percentage of 54.5 percent on the season (No. 33). They shoot the ball fairly well at 36.3 percent from three (No. 56), and do a good job at converting from two at 54.6 percent (No. 37).
• The Gophers also share the ball very well and get assists at a 65.6 percent rate for every made field goal attempt (No. 3).
• Minnesota has had struggles with opponents and their defense, as they are losing turnovers due to steals at a 10.2 percent rate (No. 277).
  • The Gophers do not shoot free throws well (69.7 percent, No. 277) and they get to the line a lot (FTA/FGA = 36.5 percent, No. 89)

Defensive Efficiency – No. 103

• The  Gophers are holding opponents to a 49 percent effective field goal percentage (No. 95). Opposing teams are shooting 34.8 percent from three (No. 250) and 47.5 percent from twos (No. 62).
• Minnesota’s defense continues to force opponents to go inside. Teams are shooting threes at a 30.6  percent rate (3PA/FGA) against their defense (No. 19). Threes only account for 26.7 percent of opponent point distribution (No. 302).
• Although they are aggressive on the perimeter, Minnesota only forces turnovers at a 16.3 percent rate (No. 234).

For complete coverage of IU basketball, GO HERE.    

The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”

• Find us on Facebook:  thedailyhoosier
• You can follow us on Twitter:  @daily_hoosier
• Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.