Indiana basketball returns home on a four-game winning streak to host USC in Big Ten action on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

The Hoosiers (12-3, 3-1) are coming off a victory over highly regarded Penn State in Philadelphia as Oumar Ballo carried the first half and Mackenzie Mgbako heated up early in the second half. Malik Reneau (knee) missed the game, but team officials have said they don’t expect him to be out long term. IU is the Big Ten’s best rebounding team (76.7% defensive rebounds in conference games, 1st; 37.7% offensive rebounds, 2nd).

The Trojans (9-5, 1-2) lost to Michigan over the weekend as they scored just 3 points in final 3 minutes. USC struggles rebounding (68.9% defensive, 12th; 28.6% offensive, 12th) and it doesn’t attempt many 3-pointers (5.0-of-15.7 per game, 31.9% in conference). The Trojans continue to miss Terrance Williams II, the Michigan transfer who suffered a broken wrist in December.

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Zach Osterman and Michael Niziolek keep up with IU all season. Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. 

Indiana player ratings: Oumar Ballo, Mackenzie Mgbako step up

Insider: For Woodson’s Hoosiers, this is what it looks like when it works

Indiana basketball prediction, pick

Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Indiana 88-81

Indiana has been playing better of late, with good, tough wins against Rutgers and Penn State. USC isn’t bad so much as finding itself, and this feels like the kind of game where a young team rises to the occasion. IU struggles but wins.

When does Indiana basketball play today?

7 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.

What channel is the IU basketball game on?

Indiana basketball odds

ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Indiana a 65.4% chance of winning.

Indiana basketball rankings vs. USC

Through Jan. 5

Indiana projected starting lineup

(with 2024-25 season averages)

USC projected starting lineup

• Desmond Claude (14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds)
• Chibuzo Agbo (12.8 points, 39.1% 3-pointers, 4.3 rebounds)
• Josh Cohen (9.7 points)
• Saint Thomas (9.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists)
• Wesley Yates III (9.1 points)

Indiana basketball schedule

Jan. 2: Indiana 84, Rutgers 74

Jan. 5: Indiana 77, Penn State 71

Wed., Jan. 8: vs. USC, 7 p.m., BTN

Sat., Jan. 11: at Iowa, 8 p.m., Fox

Tues., Jan. 14: vs. Illinois, 7 p.m., Peacock

USC basketball schedule

Dec. 22: USC 82, Southern 51

Jan. 4: Michigan 85, USC 74

Wed., Jan. 8: at Indiana, 7 p.m., BTN

Sat., Jan. 11: at Illinois, noon, BTN

Tues., Jan. 14: vs. Iowa, 10:30 p.m., BTN

The injury bug has bitten the Brooklyn Nets yet again just in time for a rematch with the Indiana Pacers. Brooklyn toppled the then-struggling Pacers back on Dec. 4, but much has changed for both squads since the 99-90 win at the Barclays Center.

ODDS: 

The Nets enter the day as 9.5-point underdogs to the Pacers, and the total over/under is 222.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME: 

1. Analyze the depth. As of 12 p.m. EST, the Nets are trending to be without Cam Johnson, Cam Thomas, Ben Simmons and D’Angelo Russell. The latter two are questionable but shouldn’t be expected to suit up. That foursome averages a combined 62.8 points per night, forcing the hosts to turn elsewhere for their scoring output.

2. Keep Haliburton inconsistent. After lifting Indiana to the conference finals in last year’s playoffs, Tyrese Haliburton has had the epitome of an up-and-down season. Some nights, he explodes for 30-plus points; others, he’s held to under 10. Whatever version of Haliburton shows up this evening will play a major impact on the game’s outcome.

3. Flow through Clax. If all four previously mentioned players remain out, Nic Claxton could become a focal point of Brooklyn’s offense. Recently, a large emphasis has been placed on getting the big man the ball in the pick-and-roll, creating an intriguing matchup between him and Myles Turner.

RECORDS: 

Brooklyn Nets (13-22) vs. Indiana Pacers (18-18)

INJURIES: 

Check out Nets on SI later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN: 

Jan. 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. EST.

LOCATION: 

Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY

TV/RADIO: 

YES Network, NBA League Pass, WFAN (660AM/101.9FM)

FINAL WORD:  

Following the second of three straight home stands for the Nets, they take on the Detroit Pistons at the Barclays Center this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. EST before hitting the road for a Friday night matchup with the Denver Nuggets.

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