Indiana basketball concludes its nonconference schedule by hosting Winthrop on Dec. 29.
The Hoosiers (9-3, 1-1 Big Ten) defeated Chattanooga, but weren’t all that happy about it, in their last outing. IU has shot more 3-pointers lately, but isn’t making many (23-of-87, 26.4% over its last four games). They have shot 61.7% from inside the arc over that stretch. Myles Rice averages 11.0 points per game and scored 11 in the season opener. Otherwise, he has five games with at least 17 points and six games with 6 points or fewer.
The Eagles (10-4), who were voted the second-best team in the Big South preseason poll, have lost road games to Virginia Tech, Louisville and Florida State. Winthrop dictates a disjointed style for opponents and itself. The Eagles get to the free throw line more than anyone in the nation (32.1 attempts per game) but make just 65.3% (319th). The Eagles also commit a lot of fouls (20.6, No. 346), and they force (16.5 per game, No. 7) and commit (14.4, No. 332) plenty of turnovers.
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Indiana basketball prediction, pick
Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Indiana 92-74
Indiana’s malaise seemed to stretch into the holiday season with a lackluster performance against Chattanooga. Now, the Hoosiers have just one more tune-up before the Big Ten schedule restarts in earnest. Winthrop is a mid-major program of some pedigree, but in a variety of ways the two rosters don’t match up well. Indiana might need to shake off some holiday rust, but the Hoosiers should win comfortably.
When does Indiana basketball play today?
4 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.
What channel is the IU basketball game on?
- TV: BTN
- Radio: 105.1 FM in Bloomington, 93.1 FM in Indianapolis
- Streaming: SiriusXM Channel 372 and Varsity Network
Indiana basketball odds
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Indiana a 91.4% chance of winning.
Indiana starting lineup
Remember IU’s great football season with our commemorative book
Winthrop starting lineup
- K.J. Doucet (14.0 points, 41.7% 3-pointers, 5.7 rebounds)
- Kelton Talford (14.9 points, 8.0 rebounds)
- Kasen Harrison (13.6 points, 3.4 assists)
- Nick Johnson (11.0 points, 34% 3-pointers)
- Paul Jones III (7.9 points, 3.1 rebounds)
Indiana basketball schedule
Dec. 13: Nebraska 85, Indiana 68
Dec. 21: Indiana 74, Chattanooga 65
Sun., Dec. 29: vs. Winthrop, 4 p.m., BTN
Thur., Jan. 2: vs. Rutgers, 8:30 p.m., Peacock
Sun., Jan. 5: at Penn State, noon, BTN
