The Indiana Hoosiers (11-6, 7-9-1 ATS, 11-6 O/U) meet with the Illinois Fighting Illini (13-5, 11-7 ATS, 9-9 O/U) in a Big Ten rivalry battle on Thursday night. The Hoosiers earned a home win against Wisconsin on Saturday. The Fighting Illini recorded a road win against Minnesota on Monday evening. Each squad posted one win in last year’s two meetings.
The Indiana Hoosiers enter this one with confidence. They snapped a three-game slide with a dominating 63-45 home win against Wisconsin on Saturday to cover the 5.5-point spread. The Hoosiers struggled defensively in the three-game losing streak including losses to Iowa, Northwestern, and Penn State. Indiana is now a disappointing 2-4 in conference play. The Hoosiers have covered the spread in just two of their six Big Ten games.
Trayce Jackson-Davis continues to dazzle. The senior forward has collected three consecutive double-doubles including 24 rebounds against NW. Jackson-Davis has registered an average of 17.4 PPG accompanied by 9.9 RPG. Jalen Hood-Schifino has been productive in conference play, sinking at least 20 points in two of his last four bouts. The freshman guard has logged 13.4 PPG and leads the Hoosiers with 4.5 APG. Miller Kopp has converted on at least 50% of his field goals in f our consecutive games. The senior guard is posting an average of 8.5 PPG. Xavier Johnson remains out of action along with Race Thompson.
That's how you finish ??@IndianaMBB pic.twitter.com/stKrV0zY5l
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 14, 2023
The Hoosiers are ranked 29th in the country in Ken Pomeroy’s ratings and have struggled on the road where they are 1-4 including losses to Iowa and Penn State. Indiana is averaging 78.9 points, good for 42nd in DI. The defense has been shaky, conceding at least 84 in three out of their last four games, and are allowing an avenge of 67.9 points, placing them 145th.