Indiana

Detroit Pistons left in dust on the road by Indiana Pacers in choppy 133-119 loss

Published

12 months ago

January 29, 2025

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Detroit Pistons left in dust on the road by Indiana Pacers in choppy 133-119 loss

For the second time this month, the Detroit Pistons were unable to overcome a division rival.

The Pistons fell to the Indiana Pacers on the road, 133-119, to fall below .500 (23-24 overall) and conclude their road trip with a 2-3 record. They’ve dropped three consecutive games, after losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic, and finished their season series against the Pacers 1-3.

After trailing by 20 midway through the second quarter, the Pistons used a 21-7 run to cut it back to single digits, 66-60, with under two minutes to play until halftime. They never got closer than four the rest of the way, though.

A 9-2 Pistons run, led by Tobias Harris, cut it to six with seven minutes to play in the final period. Two quick Pacers buckets, the second a 3-pointer from Ben Sheppard, extended it back to double digits. Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner put the game away late with a trio of 3-pointers that extended Indiana’s lead to 18 with under two minutes to play.

With the game in reach, the Pistons shot just 8-for-23 (34.8%) in the fourth.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 32 points and nine assists on 12-for-22 shooting. Malik Beasley (20 points, 6-for-10 from 3), Harris (19 points), Jalen Duren (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Ausar Thompson (10 points) also scored in double figures.

Siakam (37 points, 15-for-21) led all scorers, and Haliburton added 30 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Isaiah Stewart was ejected early in the second quarter, following an altercation with Pacers big man Thomas Bryant that led to a flagrant-2.

Beasley rescues Pistons early with 3-point barrage

The NBA hasn’t yet named its competitors in next month’s All-Star weekend 3-point contest in San Francisco. During the first half, Beasley reminded everyone why he deserves a bid.

He provided instant offense off the bench as the Pistons faced an early 16-point deficit, 24-8, midway through the opening quarter. Beasley knocked down four of his six 3s for the night, sparking a 21-11 Pistons run that brought them within six with 46 seconds remaining in the period.

Beasley struck right as the Pacers cooled off. After opening the game shooting 11-for-14 with eight consecutive makes, Haliburton missed an open transition dunk that finally broke Indiana’s momentum.

Beasley knocked down three 3s in a row, sandwiched by a pair of missed free throws by Haliburton, before hitting a fourth 3-pointer with just under two minutes remaining on the clock to cut it to eight, 35-27.

Stewart ejected in second quarter

With 8:45 remaining in the second quarter, Stewart shoved Bryant to the ground with a hard shoulder bump, sending the Pacers center to the floor. Bryant was angry and momentarily had to be held back by teammates as officials reviewed the foul for a flagrant.

The foul was confirmed as a Flagrant-2, making it Stewart’s second technical of the night after he and veteran Pacers forward James Johnson were whistled for techs during the first quarter.

As Stewart exited the game, he energetically pointed two fingers toward the opposite end of the floor, appeared to gesture toward the crowd and popped his jersey to jeering fans sitting near the tunnels. He played just under eight minutes total, finishing with a point and an assist.

It was already a chippy game between the two teams, continuing a rivalry that started last season and heated up this season, particularly during the Pistons’ home loss to the Pacers on Jan. 16, which featured plenty of trash talk from both sides.

Wednesday’s game featured plenty of emotion on both sides as well. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Cunningham and Tim Hardaway Jr. were all whistled for techs for the Pistons, as was Turner for Indiana.

Next up: Mavericks

Matchup: Pistons (23-24) vs. Dallas (25-22).

Tipoff: 7 p.m. Friday; Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.

TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit; WXYT-FM (97.1).

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X @omarisankofa.

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Indiana

After Surviving Northwestern, MSU Basketball looks ahead to Indiana

Published

9 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

After Surviving Northwestern, MSU Basketball looks ahead to Indiana

Michigan State narrowly escaped with a home win against the now 8–7 Northwestern Wildcats. The Spartans struggled mightily in the first half, entering the break down seven points after scoring just 28 points. Michigan State committed eight turnovers in the opening 20 minutes and went 6-of-11 from the free-throw line.

After a sluggish start, the Spartans regrouped and took control in the second half. Michigan State shot 14-of-27 from the field after halftime, playing with better pace and ball movement.

Michigan State’s Cam Ward celebrates after a score and a Northwestern foul during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jeremy Fears, who picked up two early fouls and began the game 0-of-4 from the field, responded with a strong second half. He finished the game shooting 4-of-7 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.

Overall, Michigan State was far more composed in the second half against the Wildcats. However, with a matchup against Indiana looming, the Spartans will not be able to afford another slow start like the one they experienced against Northwestern.

Jan 5, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo sends in a play against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images | Dale Young-Imagn Images

Scouting Indiana

Indiana has undergone a similar offseason transformation to another Big Ten opponent Michigan State has already faced: the Iowa Hawkeyes. After parting ways with head coach Mike Woodson, the Hoosiers hired former West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries.

DeVries began his head coaching career at Drake, where he posted an impressive 150–55 record. Over his final four seasons with the Bulldogs, he led the program to 108 wins and three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler, center, makes a shot against Northwestern during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

DeVries also went 79–33 in Missouri Valley Conference play, captured three MVC titles, and guided Drake to six of the program’s 11 20-win seasons before leaving for West Virginia.

In his lone season with the Mountaineers, DeVries engineered a significant turnaround, improving West Virginia from a 10-win team to a 19-win team.

Now at Indiana, DeVries has continued that trend of rapid improvement. In Mike Woodson’s final season, the Hoosiers finished 19–13 and missed the NCAA Tournament. This season, Indiana has already reached 12 wins and appears firmly back in the postseason conversation.

Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr., left, shoots as Northwestern’s Arrinten Page defends during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Hoosiers are led by senior guard Lamar Wilkerson, a transfer from Sam Houston. Wilkerson is averaging 19.5 points per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 41.8 percent from three-point range.

Indiana has been strong on both ends of the floor. According to KenPom, the Hoosiers rank 30th nationally in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency.

Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr., left, slaps hands with Coen Carr, right, after Carr’s dunk against Northwestern during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As Michigan State prepares to face Indiana, the Spartans will need to clean up their first-half execution to keep pace with one of the Big Ten’s more balanced teams. Indiana’s efficiency on both ends of the court, combined with DeVries’ proven ability to elevate programs quickly, makes this a difficult matchup. For Michigan State, a complete 40-minute performance will be essential if it hopes to build momentum in conference play.

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Oregon OC Will Stein blames turnovers for CFP loss to Indiana Hoosiers

Published

21 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Oregon OC Will Stein blames turnovers for CFP loss to Indiana Hoosiers

The Oregon Ducks’ season has ended in heartbreak for the second-straight season. They advanced farther than they did last year, reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals before they succumbed to the red-hot Indiana Hoosiers.

In the days leading up to the rematch, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning spoke about what needed to change from the last matchup, and the turnover battle was one of the things he spoke most passionately about. There is no way he can be happy after the Ducks lost the turnover battle 3-0, with each one leading to easy points for the Hoosiers.

Offensive coordinator Will Stein was asked to reflect on this aspect after the game, and he had this to say, “We just spotted these guys 21 points. You know, it’s hard to win when you turn the ball over three times in your own territory, plus a pick six.”

Oregon’s defense wasn’t great in this game either, but a lot of their struggles were the result of being asked to shut down an Indiana offense that was often set up in or near the red zone. Stein acknowledged this in his answer, telling reporters, “You don’t do anything good for your defense in that aspect. So obviously, poor job by us taking care of the ball, and it was obviously the big difference in the game.

The Hoosiers scored 28 points off Ducks turnovers, which ended up being the key difference in the 34-point loss. It also doesn’t feel farfetched to believe that Oregon would have played with much more fire if the turnovers didn’t put the game out of reach.

This game will leave a sour taste in this group’s mouth because they know things will never be the same. Stein and Tosh Lupoi are going off to lead their own teams now, along with a ton of uncertainty about which players will remain in Eugene after this loss.

The Ducks had a prime opportunity to achieve glory, but they came up just short yet again thanks to a slew of giveaways.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

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Indiana

Why Indiana football regretted one Fernando Mendoza play

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Why Indiana football regretted one Fernando Mendoza play

ATLANTA — Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza has burned teams throughout the College Football Playoff with his scrambling ability.

Mendoza was lights out through the air in a 56-22 win over Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Friday night, but he made a handful of plays with his legs again starting with a 21-yard gain early in the second quarter that helped the No. 1 Hoosiers (15-0) flip the field.

Mendoza’s sneaky athleticism has put pressure on defenses already struggling to contain IU’s impressive arsenal of skill players, but there came a time in the CFP semifinals where the coaching staff asked him to put that scrambling ability in his back pocket and keep it there.

“Coach (Chandler) Whitmer was in his ear about getting down as quickly as possible,” Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan told The Herald-Times.

Re-live IU’s 2025 season

The Heisman winner had the large contingent of IU fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium holding their breath while he was weaving through defenders and taking hits with his team up by four possessions coming out of halftime.

Mendoza lost the ball in the third quarter while getting tripped up from behind on a run up the middle after busting out a spin move on the play to gain extra yards.

While the coaching staff appreciates Mendoza’s competitiveness, they didn’t want him putting himself at risk with the team less than two quarters away from playing in the national title game.

“We were very conscious (of the situation),” Shanahan said after the game.

Mendoza had one more carry after that off an RPO near the goal line right after IU blocked a punt. It was a play call that Shanahan immediately regretted with Oregon loading up the box.

“That wasn’t the best position to put him in,” he said.

Mendoza closed out the game for the Hoosiers under center by simply handing the ball off while the Hoosiers put the finishing touches on another lopsided win. He threw for 177 yards (17 of 20) and finished the game with more passing touchdowns (five) than incompletions (three) for the sixth time this season.

Oregon’s Dan Lanning had high praise for Mendoza’s overall performance after the game, but he became the latest in a long line of opposing coaches to mention his scrambling ability in the same breath as his arm talent.

“The guy makes the right decisions,” Lanning said. “You consistently see if he sees the right coverage, you know, he takes the ball where it’s supposed to go, dictated by coverage. I think he did a great job again on the scrambles early. I thought we had him boxed up in the third down early in the game, which was critical and was able to scramble for a first down.”

Shanahan underlined Mendoza’s decision-making as well in talking about the growth he’s seen from the quarterback this season and his improvisational skills (and when to use them) are a big part of that.

“He makes my life and my job so much easier,” Shanahan said. “I think he’s playing his best ball right now. I don’t know if that was the confidence he got from winning Heisman or beating Ohio State, I feel like we are on the right path. We got one more to go.”

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

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