Indiana basketball vs. Ohio State expert prediction, start time, TV channel for 1/17/25

Indiana basketball visits Ohio State on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. This matchup offers the question: Is it better to keep losing by 2 points, or by 25?

The Hoosiers (13-5, 4-3 Big Ten) have been blown out two games in a row, prompting a rebellion among fans. Coach Mike Woodson and players are preaching patience, but IU is decidedly on the outside looking in for an NCAA Tournament bid. The Hoosiers could desperately use Malik Reneau (14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals), who has missed almost all of the last five games with a knee injury.

The Buckeyes (10-7, 2-4) have come painfully close to winning their last two games, falling by a basket to Oregon and Wisconsin. They beat Minnesota in double overtime before that. Bruce Thronton has been OSU’s driving force, averaging 16.7 points in conference play. Meechie Johnson, who started the first 10 games, has been on personal leave.

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Indiana basketball prediction, pick

Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Ohio State 79-69

Things have taken an ugly turn in the last week for the Hoosiers, who now need a good road result to rebound from consecutive thumpings at Iowa and against Illinois. Ohio State is a strange team, talented and well-rated by metrics but losers of a lot of close games. So much of this game feels like it will be defined by how Indiana manages Buckeyes point guard Bruce Thornton.

When does Indiana basketball play today?

8 p.m. ET Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.

What channel is the IU basketball game on?

Watch with a Fubo free trial

Is Indiana basketball favored vs. Ohio State

ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Ohio State a 77.9% chance of winning.

Indiana basketball rankings vs. Illinois

Through Jan. 14

Indiana projected starting lineup

(with 2024-25 season averages)

Illinois projected starting lineup

• Bruce Thornton (17.4 points, 43.3% 3-pointers, 4.4 assists)
• Devin Royal (13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds)
• John Mobley Jr. (11.9 points, 43.0% 3-pointers)
• Micah Parrish (10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds)
• Sean Stewart (6.2 points, 6.3 rebounds)

Indiana basketball schedule

Jan. 11: Iowa 85, Indiana 60

Jan. 14: Illinois 94, Indiana 69

Fri., Jan. 17: at Ohio State, 8 p.m., Fox

Wed., Jan 22: at Northwestern, 7 p.m., BTN

Sun., Jan. 26: vs. Maryland, noon, CBS

Ohio State basketball schedule

Jan. 9: Oregon 73, Ohio State 71

Jan. 14: Wisconsin 70, Ohio State 68

Fri., Jan. 17: vs. Indiana, 8 p.m., Fox

Tues., Jan. 21: at Purdue, 7:30 p.m., Peacock

Mon., Jan. 27: vs. Iowa, 8 p.m, FS1