Northwestern Wildcats at #20 Indiana Hoosiers
Assembly Hall – Bloomington, Indiana
Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 6:30 pm Eastern, TV: Big Ten Net
Opening Line: Indiana -9 1/2
Current Line: Indiana -8 1/2
Opening Total: 149 1/2
Current Total: 147
Opening Money Line: Indiana -450 / Northwestern +370
Current Money Line: Indiana -400 / Northwestern +330
The 19-6 Indiana Hoosiers are 3 games behind first place Ohio St in the Big Ten Standings with a 7-6 conference record. The Hoosiers host Northwestern Wednesday night. Northwestern is 15-9 this season and 5-7 in conference. Indiana has won 2 games in a row including 84-71 last Thursday at home against Illinois. Northwestern lost at Purdue Sunday 87-77 to snap a 3 game winning streak for the Wildcats. Indiana leads the series all-time against Northwestern 109-46 but Northwestern has won 6 of the last 7 meetings, including sweeping the season series last year.
Northwestern is coached by Bill Carmody. The Wildcats are trying to qualify for their first ever NCAA tournament and are on the bubble to do so. Northwestern has losses to Baylor, Creighton, Ohio St, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Purdue twice. The Wildcats have wins over LSU, Tulsa, Seton Hall, Georgia Tech, Penn St, Michigan St, Nebraska, Illinois, and Iowa.
Indiana is coached by Tom Crean. The Hoosiers have losses to Michigan St, Minnesota, Ohio St, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Indiana has wins over Evansville, Butler, NC State, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Ohio St, Michigan, Penn St twice, Iowa, and Purdue.
Northwestern is outscoring opponents 71-68 this season. The Wildcats are shooting 45.8% from the field, and 38.6% from 3 point range. Northwestern makes 68.8% from the free throw line. The Wildcats average 30.1 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of -4.5. Northwestern averages 16 assists, 10.1 turnovers, 6.1 steals, and 3.8 blocks a game. Wildcat opponents are shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.8% from 3 point range. Northwestern forces 12.5 turnovers a game on defense.
Northwestern forward John Shurna averages 19.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game. He leads the Wildcats in scoring, rebounds, and blocks and is tied for the team lead in steals. He makes 43.6% from 3 point range. Drew Crawford averages 16.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. He makes 41.0% from 3 point range. Dave Sobolewski averages 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists to lead the team, and 1 steal a game. He makes 37% of his three point attempts. JerShon Cobb averages 1.2 steals a game as well. Center Luka Mirkovic is questionable with an ankle injury. Guard Tre Demps is out for the season with a shoulder injury.
Indiana is outscoring opponents 79-66 this season. Indiana is #17 nationally in scoring. The Hoosiers are shooting 49.6% from the field, and 43.6% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers are #6 in field goal percentage and #3 in 3 point percentage. Indiana makes 74.9% of their free throws. The Hoosiers average 34.7 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +3.9. Indiana averages 13.9 assists, 13.1 turnovers, 6.8 steals, and 3.6 blocks a game. Indiana opponents are shooting 42.2% from the field and 32.7% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers force 14.1 turnovers a game on defense.
Indiana has 4 players averaging double digit scoring. Freshman forward Cody Zeller averages 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks a game. He leads Indiana in scoring rebounds, and blocks. Christian Watford averages 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists a game. He makes 44% from 3 point range. Jordan Hulls average 12.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1 steal a game. He makes 49.5% of his three point attempts. Victor Oladipo averages 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals a game to lead the team. Will Sheehey averages 8.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. He is shooting 46.7% from 3 point range. Verdell Jones III averages 7.8 points, 2.9 points, and 3.5 assists a game to lead the team. He is probable with a shoulder injury. Maurice Creek is out for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon.
Indiana is 13-7 ATS and the total is 12-7-1 this season. Northwestern is 9-10 ATS and the total is 13-6 this season. Northwestern has covered 14 of the last 17 against Indiana. The over is 11-2 in the last 13 meetings including 5-1 in Bloomington. The Wildcats are 15-7-1 ATS as a road underdog of 7-12.5 points or more, 4-10 in Wednesday games, 2-5 in road games, as a road underdog, and in road games against teams with winning road records. The Hoosiers are 5-1 ATS overall, and in Big Ten games, 8-2 at home, 4-1 against teams with winning records, 7-2 after a cover, 6-2 as a home favorite, 5-2 at home against teams with losing road records, 4-9 in Wednesday games, and 2-5 after a straight up win.
Indiana plays much better at home. They seem to have righted the ship after a recent stretch where they went 2-5. I like the Hoosiers to pull away late against Northwestern.
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