LIVE BLOG: Follow Indiana's Game With Little Rock in Real Time
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Welcome to press row and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, were the 4-0 and 11th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers take on Little Rock on Wednesday night in the second game of the Hoosier Classic.
Welcome to our live blog, where we'll keep you updated on all the news and views in real time, live from center court. We'll also throw in some highlights and opinion as well.
We've already reported some HUGE injury news. Indiana has three players out, including star Trayce Jackson-Davis. Here's that full story, CLICK HERE
Here's how blog works: We'll post the latest items at the top, so just keep refreshing and enjoy the game!
FINAL: Indiana raises its record to 5-0 on the season with an 87-68 win over Little Rock. It wasn't always pretty, but there were some nice runs in the second half. Many stories to come at HoosiersNow.com.
8:25 p.m. — Freshman Kaleb Banks hits a long three from the left corner, but the official waves it off because he stepped out of bounds.
8:20 p.m. — We've reached the final media timeout and Indiana has its biggest lead of the nine at 84-61. There's 3:39 to go. Race Thompson has 20 points on a near-perfect night.
8:18 p.m. — Two great passes from Xavier Johnson to Race Thompson and the Hoosiers go up 21 for the first time at 80-59. Johnson has 10 assists now. CJ Gunn comes in for X, fans give him a huge ovation.
8:14 p.m. — Race Thompson knocks down two more free throws and Indiana leads 74-57. They are 10-for-10 from the line in the second half.
8:10 p.m. — That 15-point lead is down to seven at 64-57, but the Jordan Geronimo hits a long three. Xavier Johnson follows with a three of his own and it's right back to 15 points again.
8:05 p.m. — Another great interior pass from Malik Reneau, and it leads to a dunk from Jordan Geronimo. He's figuring out this buddy-ball stuff pretty quick.
8:03 p.m. — Indiana's 15-point lead is back down to 10. Little Rock not going away.
7:50 p.m. — Miller Kopp hits back-to-back three-pointers, and Indiana's lead balloons to 58-45 with 12:49 to go. Indiana shooting it much better in the second half. Made all eight free throws and are 3-for-5 from three.
7:45 p.m. — We're at the first media timeout, and this game is way too close. Indiana's lead is only six, with 15:49 to go.
7:40 — Race Thompson rocking a headband now after that blow to the head earlier.
7:35 p.m. — Miller Kopp hits a three in the corner on a great assist in the post from Malik Reneau to push Indiana's lead back up to nine. Little Rock can't get the ball inbounds, so they call timeout. IU leads 42-33 with 18:29 left in the game.
7:15 p.m. — We've reached halftime and Indiana leads 39-30. Malik Reneau leads the Hoosiers with 10 points. Jalen Hood-Schifino has seven. Hoosiers just 1-for-7 from three and 2-for-5 from the foul line. Both bad numbers.
7:10 p.m. — Another bad pass on a fast-break from Jalen Hood-Schifino. That's two tonight at the feet of guys filling the lane. Indiana leads 37-27 with 2:25 to go.
7:05 p.m. — A great no-look pass from Jalen Hood-Schifino to C.J. Gunn on the break, and Gunn finishes it with a big dunk. Indiana leads 37-22 with 5:07 to go.
6:55 p.m. — At the under-8 timeout and Indiana leads 28-17. The Hoosiers are shooting 56.5 percent from the field (13-for-23), but they are 0-for 3 so far from three.
6:50 p.m. — Indiana has won four straight games, but they haven't really been firing out of the gate. It's only 24-17 now, with 8:34 left. Race Thompson takes an elbow to the head that draws blood. He heads to the locker room for some medical attention. Flagrant 1 foul called.
6:45 p.m. — Tamar Bates and Jordan Geronimo are the first two off the bench for Indiana. Bates scores on his first shot, as does Geronimo and the Hoosiers lead 18-9.
6:41 p.m. — Indiana's men's soccer team was introduced at the timeout. Their next NCAA Tournament game is Sunday in Bloomington. Seeking their NINTH national title.
6:38 p.m. — Malik Reneau appears just fine. After two baskets, he hits a cutting Race Thompson coming down the lane for a huge dunk, then goes the distance for a dunk himself. It's 10-4 Indiana with 15:47 to go in the first half.
6:35 p.m. — Just 41 seconds into the game, freshman Malik Reneay falls hard on his tailbone. In a bit of pain, but shakes it off and keeps playing. Race Thompson scores the first basket, but Reneau gets the next two. IU up 6-0.
6:20 p.m. — The point spread on this game didn't move much after the injury news came out. At tipoff time, the line still favors Indiana by 28.5 points. That's right where it started, basically, dropping from 29.5 points on the opening line Wednesday morning on the SI Sportsbook gambling website.
6:15 p.m. — Malik Reneau gets his first regular season start of the season with Trayce Jackson-Davis out. He'll join Race Thompson, Miller Kopp, Xavier Johnson and Jalen Hood-Schifino. Those four have started all four games.
6:05 p.m. — It was no surprise to see Anthony Leal in a boot because he looked in pain Sunday night when he rolled his ankle on Sunday night. Trey Galloway (knee) remains precautionary, I'm told. Trayce Jackson-Davis is dealing with a back issue, but I've also been told it's not serious.
5:55 p.m. ET — Here are the officials for tonight's game: James Breeding, Lewis Garrison, Edwin Young.
5:50 p.m. — This is the second game of the Hoosier Classic for both teams. Little Rock beat Jackson State 94-91 on Sunday night while Indiana beat Miami of Ohio 86-56 in Indianapolis.
Related stories on Indiana basketball
- HOW TO WATCH: Indiana hosts Little Rock in the Hoosier Classic on Wednesday in Bloomington, Ind. Here's how to watch, with game time and TV information, three leading storylines, the latest on the point spread, the coaching matchup, series history and more. CLICK HERE
- OPENING LINE: The Hoosiers, who have won and covered in all four games so far, are heavy favorites over Little Rock. CLICK HERE
- TOM BREW COLUMN: Little Rock coach Darrell Walker has a connection to Indiana coach Mike Woodson as well. He was on Woodson's staff when he was the head coach of the NBA's New York Knicks. They'll oppose each other when the Hoosiers take on Trojans Wednesday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA BEATS MIAMI: Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis had 17 points and 16 rebounds and eight other Hoosiers scored six points or more as the No. 12 Hoosiers claimed their fourth straight win with an 86-56 win over Miami of Ohio on Sunday in Indianapolis. CLICK HERE
- PHOTO GALLERY: Relive the action, and take a look at 25 photos from Indiana basketball's 86-56 win over Miami of Ohio inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Hoosiers improve to 4-0 on the young season. CLICK HERE
- CJ GUNN EXUDES CONFIDENCE CJ Gunn didn't play on Friday at Xavier, but he did a bit of everything in 22 minutes against Miami of Ohio on Sunday. He was ready to play and exude confidence not always common in freshmen, and that's all coach Mike Woodson asks. CLICK HERE
- TOM BREW COLUMN: Miller Kopp is shooting 53 percent from three-point range through four games, and he's playing well during Indiana's 4-0 start. He may not be Indiana's most important player, but he is when the ball is in his hands. He's Indiana's best perimeter shooter, and they need him to play well to win titles this year. CLICK HERE
