Indiana Hoosiers Preview

Date: Sunday, January 10th

Time: 5:00pm CST

Location: Lincoln, NE

2019-20 Record: 20-12 (9-11 Big Ten Conference)

2020-21 Record: 7-5 (2-3 Big Ten Conference)

Coach: Archie Miller (4th Season)

Preview

There are a few things in this world that pop into your head when you bring up college basketball. North Carolina basketball, John Wooden, Coach K., and Dick Vitale pop off the top of the head. Another one of which is the great state of Indiana. Yes, the so eloquently titled Hoosier state.

Yes, the ENITRE state.

The history, lore, and success that the state of Indiana has seen over the years has been etched into our inner American psyche. Not just college basketball, but also high school. I mean, what self respecting sports fan has not seen the movie Hoosiers? You all know, the story of a small town basketball team who makes a run through the all class state tournament and ends up...well, I won’t spoil the ending for you if you have yet to see it.

In Hoosiers Gene Hackman and his squad of try hards captured the hearts and imagination of legions of sports fans decades after it came out. Even though it was a less than stellar movie to be honest. Mind you, that high school basketball team’s name was the Huskers. So, I guess we also have that connection with Indiana.

Just about every American connotates Indiana with basketball. Most importantly, the University of Indiana.

Today’s Indiana squad is decent, but nowhere near at the levels of it’s past self. The current Indiana is 7-4 and hasn’t had an NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016. Their last championship game appearance was 19 years ago.

No, this is not your fathers Indiana.

With that said, they are currently most likely better than Nebraska. Archie Miller’s squad has seen a bit of a rough season so far. Most recently losing to #8 Wisconsin in overtime.

Indiana’s number one player by a longshot is Trace Jackson-Davis. Trace was third team all Big Ten last season and made the conference All Freshman squad. He is currently making a very nice 20.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 54% from the floor.

Trace will give Nebraska headaches and will dominate inside and outside of the paint. If Nebraska does not play him close then the Hoosiers could very easily have an easy time in Lincoln on Sunday.

As for the perimeter, it will be monitored by Armaan Franklin. The 6’4” sophomore guard is averaging 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game for the Hoosiers. Another headache if the Huskers allow him to be.

Prediction

Archie’s squad is not at the level of the historic Hoosier teams. In fact, they’re not even to the level of a majority of the other Big Ten teams. However, they do have enough talent to pull off a win in Lincoln. Nebraska will need to bottle up Jackson-Davis and shoot lights out for them to get their first Big Ten win of the season.