Indiana looks to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive and build some momentum when it visits Minnesota on Sunday night in Minneapolis.
The Hoosiers (17-10, 8-9 Big Ten) snapped a five-game losing streak with a 74-64 win over Maryland behind a season-high 24 points from Xavier Johnson.
“We want to play in the tournament,” Indiana forward Race Thompson said. “None of us have ever played in the tournament. And that’s a goal we’re all trying to reach as a unit.”
To get there, the Hoosiers will need to continue to play strong defense while improving their offensive efficiency. Entering Saturday’s games, Indiana leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (34.8 percent) while ranking second in scoring defense (64.8 points per game) and blocked shots (5.4).
Indiana’s offense clicked in the second half of the Maryland game. The Hoosiers made 15 of 20 shot attempts in the final 20 minutes against the Terrapins, with nine of the 15 baskets coming off of assists.
“When you lose five games in a row, man, you’re searching as a team,” Indiana coach Mike Woodson said. “These guys are not quitting. I’m telling you that now. They just — they’re competing every night. And that’s all we can ask for, man. We try to put them in the best position possible. And I thought tonight they answered the bell big time.”
The Hoosiers head to the road, where they are 2-7 on the season. Indiana beat Minnesota 73-60 at home on Jan. 9.
Minnesota (13-13, 4-13) is coming off a 68-67 home loss to No. 13 Wisconsin. The Golden Gophers have lost 12 of their last 15 games and will end a three-game homestand with their final contest of the season in Minneapolis.
The Gophers have been led this season by forward Jamison Battle (16.6 points per game). Guard Payton Willis, who is averaging 15.5 points per game, returned from sitting out the Northwestern game due to COVID protocols to score 13 points against Wisconsin.
Minnesota will look to do a better job on the boards against Indiana after being outrebounded 38-19 by the Badgers.
“The ones that really get you are the weak side rebounds off of misses,” Minnesota coach Ben Johnson said. “Or it’s the end of shot clock, you’ve done your job, you’ve forced a tough 2, a tough 3, a late shot clock shot and now it’s a loose ball rebound that we don’t get. Those are the rebounds that you’ve got to go get it.”
–Field Level Media
