NCAA BK

Wed, Jan 23, 2013 - 7:00 PM ET
Game Preview
 

Penn St.-Indiana Preview

Share This Story

Updated Jan 23, 2013 3:23 PM ET
     
 

After rebounding from its first Big Ten defeat, Indiana hopes to avoid a letdown in its next contest before the league schedule gets significantly tougher.

Trying for their second victory in 17 days over Penn State, the seventh-ranked Hoosiers can keep the Nittany Lions winless in the conference by handing them a 14th consecutive road loss Wednesday night.

Indiana (16-2, 4-1) shot a season-low 37.0 percent and never got into a rhythm in last Tuesday's 64-59 home loss to Wisconsin.

The Hoosiers were more resourceful in Sunday's 67-59 win at Northwestern. Though the Wildcats trimmed a 17-point deficit to five on three occasions, the Hoosiers did not fold.

"It's important for our guys to understand that they are pretty good when they really lock into what they need to do," Indiana coach Tom Crean said.

Seven-foot star Cody Zeller had 21 points with 13 rebounds while Christian Watford added 14 with six boards as Indiana scored 26 points in the paint and held a 36-24 rebounding advantage.

"It's not about who's getting them, it's about are we getting in there and are we making plays out of it," Crean said about the importance of playing well inside.

The Hoosiers, who lead the Big Ten in defensive field-goal percentage (37.0), held Northwestern to 40.8 percent shooting after Wisconsin shot 45.1.

The conference's worst shooting team at 39.3 percent, Penn State (8-10, 0-6) has shot 33.3 and averaged 54.3 points in their last three games against the Hoosiers. The Nittany Lions shot 31.7 percent and committed 19 turnovers while Indiana made 52.4 percent en route to a fourth consecutive series victory, 74-51 on Jan. 7.

Watford had 16 points with eight rebounds while Zeller scored 15 and guard Jordan Hulls added 14. Hulls has averaged 19.0 points and gone 15 of 25 from 3-point range during the Hoosiers' win streak against Penn State.

Indiana hopes to maintain that success Wednesday before a much tougher stretch. After No. 13 Michigan State visits Assembly Hall on Sunday, Indiana travels to rival Purdue and hosts second-ranked Michigan next week before road dates with previously ranked Illinois and No. 14 Ohio State.

The only winless team in Big Ten play, Penn State's current six-game skid is the school's longest in the league and overall since a 0-12 conference start Dec. 29, 2009-Feb. 13, 2010. The Nittany Lions have lost 13 in a row away from home since a 62-54 win at Boston College on Nov. 30, 2011, and 11 consecutive Big Ten road games since winning 66-63 at Minnesota on March 6, 2011.

Penn State won two straight at Indiana before last season's 73-54 defeat.

Nittany Lion guards D.J. Newbill (15.3 points per game) and Jermaine Marshall (15.2) are among the league's top scorers, but were held to a combined 19 on 30.8 percent shooting against the Hoosiers earlier this month.

Marshall scored 18 as Penn State failed to hold a four-point second-half lead in Saturday's 68-64 home loss to Nebraska.

"We need to be the best team we can be by the end of the year," coach Patrick Chambers told Penn State's official website. "I'm not sure what that means, but as long as I see progress and I see us get a little bit better each day, then that's the best team we can be."

Tagged: Indiana, Penn State

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA BK Videos

Kansas lands top recruit Posted: May 14, 2013
Reid Forgrave on Kansas landing top recruit Andrew Wiggins. Find out if he think...

Burke bolts for NBA after 2 season Posted: Apr 14, 2013
Wooden Award winning guard Trey Burke talks about opting to head to the NBA afte...

Zeller to enter NBA draft Posted: Apr 11, 2013
Hear what Indiana's Cody Zeller has to say about entering the NBA draft.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/885881/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_885000/ff_885881_xl.jpg&w=100 74.95 Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black
    Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Georgetown_Hoyas/browse/featuredproduct/1030243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1030000/ff_1030243_xl.jpg&w=100 119.95 Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue
    Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Duke_Blue_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/1032710/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1032000/ff_1032710_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue
    Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oregon_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/1052002/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052002_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green
    Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/1052645/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052645_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Indiana_Hoosiers/browse/featuredproduct/1124528/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1124000/ff_1124528_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Cri..
    adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Louisville_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/1127200/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127200_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/1127218/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127218_xl.jpg&w=100 89.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey ..
    Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Gonzaga_Bulldogs/browse/featuredproduct/1155821/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1155000/ff_1155821_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue
    Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions Adjustable Hat – Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Hurricanes/browse/featuredproduct/1177723/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1177000/ff_1177723_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Cham..
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft