IU basketball leaves Philly with ‘really good win’ over Penn State
IU Insider Zach Osterman breaks down the Hoosiers’ win over Penn State at the Palestra on Sunday.
Indiana basketball returns home on a four-game winning streak to host USC in Big Ten action on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
The Hoosiers (12-3, 3-1) are coming off a victory over highly regarded Penn State in Philadelphia as Oumar Ballo carried the first half and Mackenzie Mgbako heated up early in the second half. Malik Reneau (knee) missed the game, but team officials have said they don’t expect him to be out long term. IU is the Big Ten’s best rebounding team (76.7% defensive rebounds in conference games, 1st; 37.7% offensive rebounds, 2nd).
The Trojans (9-5, 1-2) lost to Michigan over the weekend as they scored just 3 points in final 3 minutes. USC struggles rebounding (68.9% defensive, 12th; 28.6% offensive, 12th) and it doesn’t attempt many 3-pointers (5.0-of-15.7 per game, 31.9% in conference). The Trojans continue to miss Terrance Williams II, the Michigan transfer who suffered a broken wrist in December.
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Indiana basketball prediction, pick
Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Indiana 88-81
Indiana has been playing better of late, with good, tough wins against Rutgers and Penn State. USC isn’t bad so much as finding itself, and this feels like the kind of game where a young team rises to the occasion. IU struggles but wins.
When does Indiana basketball play today?
7 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.
What channel is the IU basketball game on?
Indiana basketball odds
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Indiana a 65.4% chance of winning.
Indiana basketball rankings vs. USC
Through Jan. 5
Indiana projected starting lineup
(with 2024-25 season averages)
USC projected starting lineup
- Desmond Claude (14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds)
- Chibuzo Agbo (12.8 points, 39.1% 3-pointers, 4.3 rebounds)
- Josh Cohen (9.7 points)
- Saint Thomas (9.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists)
- Wesley Yates III (9.1 points)
Indiana basketball schedule
Jan. 2: Indiana 84, Rutgers 74
Jan. 5: Indiana 77, Penn State 71
Wed., Jan. 8: vs. USC, 7 p.m., BTN
Sat., Jan. 11: at Iowa, 8 p.m., Fox
Tues., Jan. 14: vs. Illinois, 7 p.m., Peacock
USC basketball schedule
Dec. 22: USC 82, Southern 51
Jan. 4: Michigan 85, USC 74
Wed., Jan. 8: at Indiana, 7 p.m., BTN
Sat., Jan. 11: at Illinois, noon, BTN
Tues., Jan. 14: vs. Iowa, 10:30 p.m., BTN
