NCAA Basketball: Duke, Arizona, Texas rise in latest top 25 power ranking
By Joey Loose
20. Indiana (22-11)
The Big Ten has been a big mess this year though Indiana has asserted itself as one of the better teams to emerge from that mess. Trayce Jackson-Davis is one of the nation’s best post players and the Hoosiers do have a pair of important wins over rival Purdue this season.
They finished the regular season back on Sunday, holding on for a 75-73 overtime win in a classic against Michigan. Jackson-Davis had 27 points and 9 rebounds while Race Thompson had 16 points and 10 rebounds to hold off the Wolverines. Earning the 3-seed in the Big Ten Tournament, the Hoosiers began in the quarterfinals with a 70-60 victory against Maryland, getting a 24-point, 9-rebound, 7-assist outing from Jackson-Davis and limiting the Terrapins on offense. Their run would end in the semifinals in a 77-73 loss to Penn State even after another electric outing from Jackson-Davis, who had 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.
What exactly do we make of this team with the NCAA Tournament on the horizon? First and foremost, the Hoosiers can win games against the best teams in the country; their performances against Purdue showed us that. However, they’re also susceptible, especially if Jalen Hood-Schifino and company aren’t making their shots early. They’re likely looking at a 4-seed and could have a really intriguing game in the second round of the Big Dance next week.