Indiana vs Notre Dame: 2019-20 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Ryan Kay
Indiana takes on Notre Dame in the “Crossroads Classic” in-state match-up. Let’s take a look at this matchup between two teams from the state of Indiana.
TV schedule: Saturday, December 21, 12:00 pm ET. ESPN
Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana (10-1) enters this contest coming off two close victories with the latest win being of a 96-90 overtime victory in Big Ten play over Nebraska to start conference play 1-1. Notre Dame (8-3) have won their last two games. In the Fighting Irish last game, they defeated UCLA 75-61.
John Mooney, TJ Gibbs, Dane Goodwin, and Prentiss Hubb leads the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in this tough in-state showdown rivalry. Mooney leads the Fighting Irish in the most points per game and rebound categories and he needs to have an outstanding game if Notre Dame has a good chance to beat the Hoosiers. Gibbs can cause havoc for Indiana as he can do a little of everything as he has shown the ability to distribute the ball, make the clutch three pointer, and knock down free throws near the end of games. He also has back to back 15 plus games with a season-high 22 points in a road loss at Boston College on Dec. 7.
Hubb like Gibbs can create a headache for Indiana on the perimeter but Al Durham should be able to minimize his offensive input offensively. However, the Hoosiers cannot take Hubb lightly as he has the ability to have an all-around game as he did in his last game when he had 20 points and 6 assists in a victory on Dec. 14. He also had a complete game against North Carolina earlier in the season when he score 22 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal against the Tar Heels.
Mooney and Goodwin could give the Hooisers fits and headaches similar to what Wisconsin did when Kobe King Nate Reuvers where able to shot well from beyond the arc. However, Trayce Jackson-Davis and the rest of the Indiana defense should be able to contain the Fighting Irish but Indian should not overlook the Notre Dame guards because they can shoot well from beyond the arc.
Indiana has had more ups than downs compared to last season and will be ready to finish non-conference play on a strong note. The Hoosiers look to have a good December after a convincing win over Florida State in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, they suffered a disappointing loss on the road to the Badgers as mentioned before. They did go on to defeat Nebraska in a surprisingly close game that went into overtime in their second Big Ten contest of this season.
Indiana should be able to defeat their in-state rival in Notre Dame as a three and a half hour drive separates the two universities. However, the Fighting Irish have played well as of late and a victory by Notre Dame over the Hoosiers would not be shocking.
There are no givens for the Hoosiers and Notre Dame is a team looking to give Indiana their second loss of the season in the city of Indianapolis. In 2017, Notre Dame took Indiana to overtime almost beating the Hoosiers but falling short by a final score of 80-77 in the Crossroads Classic.
This will be the fifth time that these two teams have faced off against each other in the Crossroads Classic. Indiana is 3-1 against the Fighting Irish in the Crossroads Classic but Notre Dame is hoping to win this time around. For the Hoosiers, they need to stay focused as they are arguably playing in the toughest conference in America. However, Indiana should be focused and defeat Notre Dame in this in-state battle.
Next. Keys for Notre Dame to beat Indiana. dark
It will be a very competitive and close game but this year’s Hoosiers team seems to have a tougher mentality and better depth this season as compared to recent years. Indiana may struggle earlier but finish strong.