Weird feel to Indiana basketball’s loss vs Michigan
Mike Woodson’s first game since news he’d step down as Indiana basketball coach had former student-manager Dusty May and Michigan in town.
Indiana basketball faces its fourth consecutive ranked opponent with it visits Michigan State.
The Hoosiers (14-10, 5-8 Big Ten), who will have a different coach next season, are reeling. IU has lost five straight games and seven of eight. Mackenzie Mgbako has been IU’s most consistent player during the five-game skid, averaging 18.2 points and 6.0 rebounds. Oumar Ballo has struggled the past two games, totaling 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The No. 11 Spartans (19-4, 10-2) don’t let opponents breathe. They lead the Big Ten in scoring defense (66.9 points allowed in conference games), field goal defense (39.0%), 3-point defense (28.3%), rebounding margin (+10.2) and blocked shots (5.1). MSU also tops the conference in assists (18.3), offensive rebounding percentage (37.9) and free throw shooting (81.7%). Two of their most effective players come off the bench: Jase Richardson (10.2 points) and highlight-reel-waiting-to-happen Coen Carr (8.3 points).
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IU is 1-of-8 on 3-pointers. MSU is +7 in rebounding.
Michigan State 22, Indiana 14
The Hoosiers are 26.7% from the field and MSU is 7-of-7 on free throws.
Michigan State 18, Indiana 8
Malik Reneau comes off the bench and scores IU’s first basket 2 minutes in. MSU scores the first 7.
Michigan State 10, Indiana 4
Trey Galloway replaces Malik Reneau in the starting lineup.
Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Michigan State 81-76
Things are bound to remain a little awkward for Indiana for the foreseeable future, but the Hoosiers can also play with a certain freedom now, knowing certain things about this season are settled. Will that mean much in one of the Big Ten’s toughest road venues? Michigan State has most of the matchup advantages, and a Spartans win would mean keeping pace with Purdue and Michigan in the Big Ten title race. But IU has been able to give the Spartans trouble at times in the Breslin Center, even in the leaner years. Closer than the experts think.
9 p.m. ET Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
via BetMGM
Favorite: Michigan State by 11.5 points
Over/under: 148.5 total points
Moneyline: Indiana +475, Michigan State -650
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Michigan State an 84.7% chance of winning.
Ranker | IU | MSU |
NET | 61 | 19 |
KenPom | 55 | 17 |
EvanMiya | 52 | 15 |
Through Feb. 9
(with 2024-25 season averages)
Feb. 4: Wisconsin 76, Indiana 64
Feb. 8: Michigan 70, Indiana 67
Tues., Feb. 11: at Michigan State 9 p.m., Peacock
Fri., Feb. 14: vs. UCLA, 8 p.m., Fox
Sun., Feb. 23: vs. Purdue, 1:30 p.m., CBS
Feb. 4: UCLA 63, Michigan State 61
Feb. 8: Michigan State 86, Oregon 74
Tues., Feb. 11: vs. Indiana, 9 p.m., Peacock
Sat., Feb. 15: at Illinois, 8 p.m., Fox
Tues., Feb. 18: vs. Purdue, 7 p.m., Peacock
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