Indiana Hoosiers Aim for NCAA Bid Against Penn State Wednesday Night

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Indiana Hoosiers, fresh off a significant victory against rival Purdue, will host the Penn State Nittany Lions on Wednesday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall as they seek to enhance their chances of securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Indiana recently ended a month-long struggle with a 73-58 win against then-No. 13 Purdue, snapping a five-game losing streak. The Hoosiers showcased a strong second-half performance, overcoming a 12-point deficit thanks to a significant 28-3 run initiated by their senior forward Luke Goode.

“The guys really came together in the second half. They refused to lose,” said Indiana head coach Mike Woodson in a press conference following the game.

The Hoosiers improved to 16-11 on the season and will enter the matchup against Penn State with momentum, fueled by two Quad 1 victories in a matter of weeks. However, Indiana remains on the NCAA Tournament bubble and will need to secure as many wins as possible to bolster their postseason hopes.

Penn State, under head coach Mike Rhoades, has had a rocky season. After starting strong with a 12-2 record, the Nittany Lions fell to 15-13, going just 3-11 in Big Ten play. Nonetheless, they now come to Bloomington after consecutive wins over Nebraska and Minnesota, revitalizing their confidence.

Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State’s graduate student guard, has been a standout player, averaging 13.7 points and 7.3 assists per game. Baldwin orchestrates an offense that also features Yanic Konan Niederhauser, who has emerged as a crucial scoring option with a recent breakout performance.

“This is how we want to play, and this is how we want to be,” Rhoades stated about his team’s recent performances.

Despite their recent success, the Nittany Lions have struggled with consistency throughout the season, highlighted by their scoring inconsistencies. Baldwin ranks second in the Big Ten in both assists and steals per game, but his high involvement also leads to turnovers, with his average of 3.6 per game placing him near the top in that category.

Meanwhile, Indiana’s performance will be driven by its ability to maintain the resurgence displayed against Purdue. The Hoosiers have a strong record at home, facing a Penn State team that has struggled on the road this season, accumulating a 2-7 record in away games.

Indiana’s leading scorer, Oumar Ballo, will play a significant role, as will his supporting cast—Malik Reneau, who reached the 1,000-point milestone against Purdue, and Mackenzie Mgbako, who despite recent struggles, previously delivered strong performances.

“We need to bring our defensive intensity and keep the execution high,” Woodson emphasized while looking ahead to the matchup against Penn State.

The Hoosiers hold a strong historical advantage, winning 23 of their last 27 matchups against the Nittany Lions at home. As the Indiana faithful fills the stands, the tension will rise knowing that a win is vital for both teams, making this contest a must-watch.

The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, with play-by-play provided by Kevin Kugler and analysis from LaPhonso Ellis.