Oregon Ducks Face Indiana Hoosiers in Big Ten Tournament Showdown

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Oregon Ducks and Indiana Hoosiers clash in the second round of the 2025 Big Ten Tournament Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with tipoff set for noon ET. The eighth-seeded Ducks, ranked No. 23 in the AP poll, face the ninth-seeded Hoosiers in a pivotal matchup for both teams’ NCAA Tournament hopes.

Oregon (23-8) enters after a strong regular season highlighted by a perfect finish and a win over Ohio State in its last game. The Ducks boast a balanced scoring attack, led by center Nate Bittle, who scored a career-high 36 points against Washington last weekend. “We’ve known we have what it takes in the locker room,” Bittle stated. “When we have a collective effort, it all comes together into something good.” Oregon’s defense has also been pivotal, allowing opponents only 31.5% from beyond the arc.

On the other hand, Indiana (19-12) is looking to capitalize on its recent success, having won four of five games leading into the tournament. The Hoosiers are spearheaded by Oumar Ballo, averaging 13.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, and Malik Reneau, who adds 13.1 points. Coach Mike Woodson acknowledges the challenge ahead, stating, “We have the right guys with the right mentality to make a run.” However, they’ve struggled with three-point shooting, connecting at just 32.3% this season.

The Ducks are favored by 1.5 points according to the latest odds from SportsLine. Despite their lower seed, Oregon’s recent performance suggests they can continue their winning streak. “We can win close games,” said guard TJ Bamba. “We’re all going out there playing for each other.” The over/under for the game is set at 141.5 points, as both teams are noted for their inconsistent scoring.

In their previous encounter on March 4, Oregon defeated Indiana by nine points while overcoming their own shooting woes. Coach Woodson expressed frustration over that game, particularly regarding fouls called. “In a physical game like that, you can’t punish one team and put one team at the line for 21 times and the other team only gets there seven times,” he remarked.

As both teams prepare for this high-stakes matchup, the winner will face top-seeded Michigan State in the quarterfinals. With their postseason aspirations on the line, fans can expect a competitive and thrilling game as the Ducks and Hoosiers battle for advancement in the Big Ten Tournament.