Indiana basketball has a couple of non-conference games before Big Ten play resumes for good, starting with a visit from Chattanooga.
The Hoosiers (8-3, 1-1) want to bounce back from a loss to Nebraska in which they struggled mightily over the final 7 minutes. IU has made just 26.9% of its 3-pointers over their past three games. Hoosiers center Oumar Ballo has averaged 13.3 points and 12.0 rebounds over that stretch, making 13-of-15 field goals and 14-of-23 free throws.
The Mocs (8-4), contenders for the Southern Conference title, have won eight of their past nine games. Trey Bonham is the Southern Conference Player of the Week after their latest two victories, over Evansville and Alabama A&M.
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Injury setback:IU basketball guard Jakai Newton is out indefinitely
Indiana clings to lead against Chattanooga
2:40 left 2H: IU goes 6+ minutes without scoring and Chattanooga misses some good looks that could make the score closer. Trey Galloway’s free throw at the 4:23 mark breaks the IU drought.
Indiana 67, Chattanooga 61
Indiana leads Chattanooga in second half
7:53 left 2H: Malik Reneau picks up his 4th foul. He has 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot.
Indiana 64, Chattanooga 56
Indiana widens lead on Chattanooga
11:23 left 2H: IU’s frontcourt players are establishing themselves: Mackenzie Mgbako with 12 points, Malik Reneau 12, Oumar Ballo 9, Bryson Tucker 6. Honor Huff has 14 points, including 4 3-pointers, for the Mocs.
Indiana 61, Chattanooga 51
Indiana starts hot in second half against Chattanooga
16:46 left 2H: Mackenzie Mgbako is 3-of-4 on 3-pointers, the rest of IU 2-of-12. The Hoosiers have decided to up their 3-point attack. Timeout, Mocs.
Indiana 51, Chattanooga 42
Indiana leads Chattanooga 41-38 at halftime
Mackenzie Mgbako has 9 points, Kanaan Carlyle has 8, and all 9 players who have seen the court have scored. They are 3-of-11 on 3-pointers and have just 3 turnovers.
Trey Bonham has 9 points and Honor Huff 8 for the Mocs, who are 6-of-13 on 3-pointers and have 11 assists on 14 baskets.
Indiana briefly takes a lead on Chattanooga
3:22 left 1H: Kanaan Carlyle hits a jumper to give IU a 29-28 lead, its first since the early moments. The Hoosiers have largely ignored Oumar Ballo, who had an and-1 at the 18:18 mark and has just 2 free throws since.
Chattanooga 35, Indiana 33
Indiana cuts into deficit against Chattanooga
7:22 left 1H: Bryson Tucker takes advantage of a favorable matchup on consecutive possessions for baskets. IU is 2-of-9 on 3-pointers, the Mocs 5-of-11.
Chattanooga 28, Indiana 25
Chattanooga runs its offense easily against Indiana
11:45 left 1H: The Mocs are getting open for 3-pointers and are 4-of-8. Trey Bonham has 9 points. Mackenzie Mgbako has 5 points for IU.
Chattanooga 21, Indiana 16
Indiana trails Chattanooga early
15:01 left 1H: Trey Bonham forces 2 fouls on Trey Galloway on the opening 2 minutes, scoring 6 points along the way. The Mocs are 2-of-5 on 3-pointers.
Chattanooga 13, Indiana 12
Indiana basketball prediction, pick
Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Indiana 81-73
Indiana needs a bounce back in a big way from Nebraska, but these next two games aren’t gimmes. Chattanooga and Winthrop each have some recent NCAA tournament pedigree and both are well-regarded by the metrics. The Mocs are particularly good offensively for a mid-major team. They can drive and kick, and they’re not terrible around the rim. IU should win, but with the odd tip time the morning after a big football game, this might not be a comfortable afternoon.
When does Indiana basketball play today?
Noon ET Saturday, Dec. 21, 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 channels 391 and 981, and Varsity Network
Indiana basketball odds
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Indiana a 94.2% chance of winning.
Indiana starting lineup
Remember IU’s run to the CFP with IndyStar’s commemorative book
Chattanooga starting lineup
- Trey Bonham (13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds)
- Honor Huff (12.5 points, 3.3 assists)
- Garrison Kesslar (5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds)
- Frank Champion (7.3 points)
- Bash Wieland (11.6 points, 3.3 rebounds)
Indiana basketball schedule
Dec. 9: Indiana 82, Minnesota 67
Dec. 13: Nebraska 85, Indiana 68
Sat., Dec. 21: vs. Chattanooga, noon, BTN
Sun., Dec. 29: vs. Winthrop, 4 p.m., BTN
Thur., Jan. 2: vs. Rutgers, 8:30 p.m., Peacock
