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 Indiana shares the Big Ten lead with Iowa and is perfect in 11 home
games this season, winning all but one by 25 points or more. The
winning streak that followed a Dec. 2 loss at Duke has put the
Hoosiers in position for their first 7-0 conference start in 23
years. Indiana point guard Yogi Ferrell is now the school's all-time
assists leader (553), but he downplayed the individual milestone
saying, "I like to focus in on the games . . . because at the end of
the day people aren’t going to really remember this record. They’re
going to remember whether you won games or not.” Northwestern used a
hybrid zone to hold Maryland to 17 second-half points, but will have
its hands full against an Indiana team that ranks No. 3 nationally
in points per game (85.9), field goal percentage (52.3) and 3-point
shooting (44.3 percent).
TV: Noon, ET, ESPNU
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (15-5, 3-4 Big Ten): Northwestern has lost two
straight for the second time this season, but the effort at Maryland
was a welcomed change from a bad home loss to Penn State earlier in
the week. “For us to come into their home floor and battle the way
we did, I’m proud,” coach Chris Collins told reporters after the
Maryland loss. “But tonight we weren’t able to finish the game.” Tre
Demps, the Wildcats' second-leading scorer, continues to struggle
with his shooting and has scored more than his average of 14 points
only once in his last six games.
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ABOUT INDIANA (16-3, 6-0): The Hoosiers continue to play well in the
absence of guard James Blackmon Jr., who has missed the last six
games after season-ending knee surgery. Freshman Thomas Bryant (11.9
points), ranked No. 2 in the nation in field goal percentage at 71.5
percent, has stepped up along with classmates Juwan Morgan and OG
Anunoby. “It's that next-man-up mentality of a freshman,” Indiana
senior Max Bielfeldt told reporters. “You have to go in there and
start playing like a veteran. So far we've seen some big things out
of our young guys, and everyone that's stepped up has stepped up
really well."
TIP-INS
1. Northwestern is in the middle of three straight games against
ranked opponents - No. 5 Maryland, No. 23 Indiana and No. 10
Michigan State (Jan. 28).
2. The teams have split their last four meetings, with Indiana
winning the most recent (71-56) in the second round of the Big Ten
Tournament last March.
3. Indiana made a school-record 19 3-pointers during a 103-69 win
over Illinois in its last game on Tuesday.
PREDICTION: Indiana 67, Northwestern 62
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