The Indiana Hoosiers will face the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, January 17, 2025, hoping to put the brakes on their recent struggles. Indiana enters the matchup at Value City Arena in Columbus with two consecutive losses, the last two being blowouts against ranked opponents. The Hoosiers have had difficulty shaking off the shadow of these defeats and are now dealing with significant injury problems.
Head Coach Mike Woodson's squad is set to tip-off without several key players, including Malik Reneau, Indiana's leading scorer. Reneau, who averages 14.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury against Rutgers. Woodson remains hopeful about Reneau's return, stating, "Hopefully we'll get Malik back soon," emphasizing his importance to the team. Unfortunately for Indiana, the situation worsened with the team ruling out other players, including Bryson Tucker, Gabe Cupps, and Jackson Creel. Cupps is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus, and Tucker’s absence has left the team scrambling for depth.
On the other side of the court, the Buckeyes are also feeling the pressure of injuries. Devin Royal, the team's second-leading scorer and top rebounder, and senior guard Meechie Johnson Jr. will miss the game. Royal's consistent performance has been pivotal for Ohio State, averaging 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds, making his absence even more noticeable. Notably, Johnson has taken personal leave from the team, leaving Ohio State without two significant contributors as they look to improve their record.
Both teams are struggling to find their footing, with Indiana's recent performances posing questions about their ability to score effectively. The Hoosiers shot poorly, only managing 38% from the field against Illinois and struggling from beyond the three-point line at 22%. These issues have persisted throughout the season, leading to concerns among fans and analysts alike. Oddsmakers have taken notice of Indiana's difficulties, placing Ohio State as the favorite heading to this contest with a -6.5 spread.
The challenge for Indiana will be finding reliable scoring options against Ohio State. Fans are hopeful for contributions from center Oumar Ballo, who has emerged as one of the standouts for Indiana. Ballo's performances will be pivotal and he leads the team’s scoring efforts, currently stepping up to fill the void left by Reneau's absence.
With tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. EST, the game will be broadcast on Fox. Following their disheartening losses, tensions will undoubtedly be high, as both teams aim to not only halt their losing streaks but also regain some momentum as they inch closer to the heart of the Big Ten season.
More than just the final score will be at stake this evening; the tone it sets for the remainder of the conference slate will linger. Fans, analysts, and players alike will watch closely—how will the Hoosiers respond under pressure, and can the Buckeyes seize this opportunity to assert themselves? The clash at Value City Arena holds pivotal importance for both programs as they look to turn their respective seasons around.