
Kent State's swarming defense has served it well, especially in a tournament run that netted the Flashes an NCAA Tournament berth. They will want to make sure they pack that defense to use in Friday's matchup against Indiana. They'll need it.
SHOOTING TOUCH
Indiana finished first among Big Ten teams in field goal percentage (47.0%). The Hoosiers (20-11) were second in field goal percentage defense (42.1%). That's a healthy combination, and IU made it work. The Hoosiers finished . . .
BIG WINS OVER PURDUE
The Hoosiers actually defeated the Purdue in both of their regular season meetings. However, the IU finished Big Ten play with a 12-8 conference mark -- three games behind Purdue (15-5 B1G).
Indiana began league play with three straight losses, but rebounded with victories in eight of the next nine outings. They finished the remaining regular season 3-3 and won two Big Ten tourney games before dropping a 77-73 decision to Penn State last Saturday.
Trace Jackson-Davis, a 6-9 senior forward, led the way for IU in that loss, hitting 11-of-14 from the field and scoring 24 points. Among three other Hoosiers in double figures was Jalen Hood-Schifino, who earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
HONORS/TOP SCORERS
Jackson-Davis is averaging a double-double -- 20.8 ppg and 10.9 rpg. He is hitting 57.8 percent of his shots from the field. On Tuesday, he was named to the Associated Press All-American First Team. TJD was also a unanimous choice for the All-Big Ten First Team by the coaches, media, and Associated Press while also collecting All-Big Ten Defensive Team accolades.
Hood-Schifino, a 6-6 guard, carries a 13.5 ppg average and was named All Big Ten Third Team. Guard Xavier Johnson is just off double figures with a 9.9 ppg. average.
THREES
The Hoosiers are rank 24th in the nation in 3-point goal percentage (37.63). However, KSU just finished defeating the No. 2 team -- Toledo (40.48).
EARLY SUCCESS
Indiana head coach Mike Woodson is the second coach in program history (Mike Davis, 2001-03) to make the NCAA Tournament in each of his first two seasons at the helm.