LIVE BLOG: Follow Indiana's Game With Kennesaw State in Real Time
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — It's the last dance for Indiana tonight, the final nonconference game of the regular season when the Hoosiers take on Kennesaw State at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Welcome to our live blog, which we do every game, keeping you updated on the news and views in real time, with opinion and highlights tossed in.
The game starts at 7 p.m. ET. Here's all the information on how to watch. CLICK HERE
Follow along right here, with the latest items at the top. Enjoy the game!
8:55 p.m. — Jalen Hood-Schifino knocks down two free throws and the lead is up to 10, the largest of the game, with 1:45 to go.
8:34 p.m. — At the under-8 timeout now and Indiana leads 51-45. They're 5-of-8 from three in the second half, a big turnaround from the first 20 minutes.
8:31 p.m. — Tamar Bates knocks down another three to put Indiana ahead 46-43. He's got 12 points now, tops on the team. ... Make that 15 as he hits another one.
8:26 p.m. — We're at the under-12 timeout and Indiana is still struggling to get ahead. Kennesaw State leads 40-39 with 11:07 to go. The Owls are up to nine made threes now.
HALFTIME — We're at the halfway point. tied at 27-27 and Indiana did a nice job of reeling them back in after falling behind by seven. Very ugly offensive half for the Hoosiers. Defense wasn't great early, but they were better at getting hands up on perimeter shooters late.
7:40 p.m. — Trey Galloway aggresively looking for his shot now, which he needs to do more often, hits a pair of threes. We're tied at 27-27 with 56.8 seconds left in the half.
7:35 p.m. — Another poor shooting night so far for the Hoosiers. Just 6-for-15 from the floor (37.5 percent) including missing all four three-pointers. Continues to be a problem. Logan Duncomb struggling early. Got burned bad on the defensive end then stumbled and turned the ball over on the offensive end. Malik Reneau struggling too. He has two silly fouls so far and three turnovers.
7:30 p.m. — Second media timeout with 11:15 to go. It's still 12-9 Kennesaw, with all of Indiana's points coming in the paint.
7:18 p.m. — Jordan Geronimo and Tamar Bates are the first Hoosiers off the bench. Bates out of position on the first Kennesaw possession and gives up a three. Indiana needs to not leave shooters. There is no reason to double inside. And then Geronimo leaves a shooter open, too. It's 12-9 Kennesaw now, with all the points coming on threes.
7:15 p.m. — Kennesaw doesn't have much size, so Indiana is pounding it inside on every possession. Could be a big night for Race Thompson and freshman Malik Reneau.
7:10 p.m. — At the first media timeout, and Kennesaw leads 6-5. Both teams just 2-for-6 from the field. Another slow start offensively for Indiana, which has been something of a trend this year.
7:05 p.m. — Indiana on the board first on a drive by Jalen Hood-Schifino. Kasen Jennings has a couple of quick threes though for Kennesaw, and that's not a good sign. They are No, 14 in the country in three-point shooting, so Indiana can't let them get hot out there. Race Thompson with a nice floater.
6:50 p.m. — Officials for tonight's game are Terry Oglesby, King Whetstone, Mason Siler.
6:45 p.m. — Here's the Kennesaw State starting lineup. Four-guard set with Chris Youngblood, Terrell Burden, Brandon Stroud and Kasen Jennings. Demond Robinson at forward.
6:40 p.m. — With two starters out again, Mike Woodson is going with the same starting lineup tonight that he used on Tuesday vs. Elon. He'll go with freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino at guard along with Trey Galloway. Up front, it'll be Malik, Reneau, Race Thompson and Miller Kopp.
6:35 p.m. — On the pregame radio show, Indiana coach Mike Woodson told Don Fischer that Jordan Geronimo is available tonight. Still think it's a play it by ear thing, but with Trayce Jackson-Davis out, Hoosiers might need him a little more.
6:30 p.m. — Some of my Florida friends have told me to ''watch out'' tonight with Kennesaw State, because the Owls have several guys who can shoot the threes. Played the Gators tough in November. We'll have to see if Indiana's perimeter defense is on point tonight.
6:20 p.m. ET — For the wagerers in the crowd, with Trayce Jackson-Davis out, the point spread is dropping quite a bit. Started at 19.5 but it's on the move. Here's the latest on the movement, and both teams' history vs. the number. CLICK HERE
6:15 p.m. ET — Trayce Jackson-Davis didn't play last Tuesday as a ''precaution.'' He's in sweats again, so probably a no-go for a second straight night. That'll be three games missed this season, after playing every single game — all 94 of them — during his first three years.
6:05 p.m. ET — Junior forward Jordan Geronimo missed Tuesday night's game against Elon with a finger injury. He was out shooting around a bit ago, and likely will be a game-time decision about playing. If I had to guess, he won't. Probably won't be needed tonight, and with nearly two weeks until Big Ten play resumes, another night off probably isn't a bad thing.
6 p.m. ET — A sparse crowd is expected tonight because of the cold weather. There are even winter weather alerts out in Monroe County. Because of that, a lot of people are staying home.
Related stories on Indiana basketball
- POINT SPREAD: This might be the toughest of Indiana's seven ''cupcake'' games, with 8-4 Kennesaw State bringing a nice road resume to Assembly Hall on Friday night. Here's the opening point spread and how both teams have done vs. the spread this season with some must-see numbers. CLICK HERE
- WATCH MILLER KOPP, C.J. GUNN: Here is the link to watch Indiana's Miller Kop and C.J. Gunn talk about the Hoosiers' 96-72 win over Elon on Tuesday night. CLICK HERE
- XAVIER JOHNSON HAS FOOT SURGERY: Indiana point guard Xavier Johnson had foot surgery on Wednesday for an injury he suffered on Saturday at Kansas. According to a release from the school, they are hopeful he will return this season. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA-ELON GAME STORY: Without leading scorers Trayce Jackson-Davis and Xavier Johnson, Indiana coach Mike Woodson experimented with new rotations in a 96-72 win over Elon. Freshman CJ Gunn and sophomore Logan Duncomb finished with career highs in points, and Race Thompson led the way with an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double. CLICK HERE
- WHAT WOODSON SAID: Indiana basketball moved to 9-3 with a 96-72 win over the Elon Phoenix on Tuesday at Assembly Hall. Here's what coach Mike Woodson said after the game, with the full transcript and video attached. CLICK HERE
- WHAT KOPP, GUNN SAID: Indiana freshman CJ Gunn scored a career-high 11 points, and Miller Kopp added 13 as the Hoosiers defeated Elon 96-72 on Tuesday at Assembly Hall. Here's the full transcript of what Kopp and Gunn said after the game. CLICK HERE
