Game Day Essentials:
No. 14 Indiana (18-7, 9-5) at Northwestern (18-7, 9-5)
- Tip Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern
- Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena (7,039), Evanston, Illinois
- Television: BTN (Kevin Kugler, Robbie Hummel)
- Stream: Fox Sports
- IU Radio Network: IU Radio Network
- Point Spread: Indiana is a 1.5-point favorite
- KenPom Projected Score: No. 47 Northwestern 70 No. 19 Indiana 69
- Series: Indiana leads 120-54. Northwestern won last meeting 84-83 on Jan. 8, 2023
More game coverage:
- IU looking to solve Northwestern’s Audige and Buie | Kopp looking to solve former team
- Radio show: Mike Woodson reviews win over Michigan, previews Northwestern
- Watch: Mike Woodson Q&A as Indiana prepares for trip to Northwestern
Three keys from the first meeting:
- Indiana careless with the ball. The Hoosiers had 16 turnovers and Northwestern scored 25 points off those miscues. Jalen Hood-Schifino led the way with six turnovers as the Wildcats extended their defense out to near half and harassed IU throughout. The Hoosiers chose to go with a two big man lineup throughout much of the game rather than play small and attack the pressure.
- Hoosiers can’t contain dribble drive. Northwestern gouged Indiana’s defense with dribble penetration throughout the game. They scored 40 points in the paint, most of which came off the bounce. The drives also created several open 3-point attempts for the Wildcats. Boo Buie and Chase Audige combined for 47 points and they were just 2-of-7 combined from three — highlighting where most of their damage was done.
- Limited production from the wing. Indiana got big games from point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and center Trayce Jackson-Davis, but not much else from the rest of the rotation. Starters Jordan Geronimo and Miller Kopp only got off four shots and got just five points (all from Kopp). Their fellow starter Tamar Bates was just 3-of-8 from the field and was shut out in the first half as Northwestern built its lead.
Northwestern’s results and roster:
Northwestern lost four of seven after their win over IU, but lately the Wildcats have been on a roll. They’re 6-2 in their last eight games and winners of three straight.
They have four wins against KenPom top 30 teams; at No. 30 Michigan State, vs. No. 20 Illinois, at No. 19 Indiana and vs. No. 4 Purdue.
Overall Northwestern has four losses on its home court — to Michigan, Rutgers, Ohio State and Pittsburgh.
Indiana and Northwestern are in a tie for second place in the Big Ten.
Northwestern Notes:
- Northwestern enters Wednesday night coming off one of the biggest wins in school history, as it defeated No. 1 Purdue 64-58 on Sunday afternoon for its first win over the AP No. 1 team in program history.
- NU’s 18 wins this season are the most since the 2016-17 season that saw the ‘Cats go 24-12, the most wins in a single-season in school history. The team’s 18 wins are the sixth-most in a single-season in program history. The Wildcats have won nine or more Big Ten games for the seventh time in program history.
- NU has won three straight games against AP ranked teams for the first time since 1954-55.
- NU is 3-1 this season against AP ranked teams. NU has never won four games in a single-season against ranked teams.
- NU has already bested last year’s record of 15-16 (7-13 B1G).
- Chris Collins is 7-8 all-time against Indiana.
- NU has won two straight against Indiana, and last won three straight in 2011.
- NU’s secured an over .500 road record for the first time in program history since 1958-59 (7-2). NU has 10 seasons in program history with a road record over .500.
Northwestern’s 2022-23 KenPom Highlights:
Overall Tempo: No. 273 (Offense – No. 279 / Defense No. 217)
Adjusted Offensive Efficiency – No. 97
- The Wildcats effective field goal percentage of 47.4 percent checks in at No. 306 in the country and consists of 47.5 percent (No. 287) from 2-point range, and 31.6 percent (No. 291) from 3-point range.
- They get 10.6 percent of their shots blocked, which comes in at No. 306 in the country.
- Northwestern doesn’t turn the ball over. Their 15.4 percent turnover rate is No. 21 nationally.
- NU does a good job sharing the ball. Assists account for 56.8 percent of field goals made, No. 47.
Adjusted Defensive Efficiency – No. 26
- Northwestern’s defense produces the No. 61 effective field goal percentage (47.6 percent), consisting of the No. 16 2-point defense (45.0 percent) and the No. 181 3-point defense (34.0 percent).
- A 14.3 percent block rate (No. 14) contributes to the strong defensive play.
- The Wildcats create turnovers on 21.9 percent of opponents possessions, No. 32.
- NU tries to make you beat them from behind the arc, as 42.8 percent of opponents overall field goal attempts have come from three. That’s the No. 330 rate in the country.
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