Hoo's Next: The Demons

Today, the 5-0 Hoosiers face the 3-2 Northwestern State Demons. NW State is led by both Will Pratt (22.4 ppg) and Devon Baker (18 ppg). The Demons are a fast paced, high scoring team averaging 86 points per game, scoring over 100 points once this year. NW State has played two “big-name” teams this year in both Memphis and LSU. They lost to MU by 15 and to LSU by 9. NW State shoots 39% from beyond the arc and 64% from the charity stripe. They make around 8 3-pointers per game and almost 18 free throws a game. Baker, the team’s best free throw shooter, hits 81% of the time from the line.

Northwestern State opponents are averaging 85 point per game against the Demons. Opponents are also shooting 49% from the field, making around 7 3-pointers per game, 24 free throws a game, and out rebounding the Demons by 5 per game. NW State does, however, make some of this up by averaging three more steals per game and five more blocks per game than the opponent.

Keys to Today’s Game
• Defense – If the Hoosiers want to improve to 6-0 on the year they will have to slow NW State down and make them set up their half court offense.
• Free Throws – IU will have to advantage of all the opportunities that the Demons give them from the charity stripe.
• Rebounding – Pritchard and Bobby C. will have to own the glass.

The “Experts” Predictions
• Jeff Sagarin: Indiana 79.28 – Northwestern State 67.33. Predicting IU by 16 (add 3.97 for home court advantage).
• Ken Pomeroy: Indiana 87 – Northwestern State 67.

My Prediction: The Hoosiers will win this game but it’s not going to be an easy one. They are going to have to limit their turnovers while making sure to get back on defense. Mo Creek and Jordy Hulls are going to have to hit from the outside and VJ III has to convert his FT attempts. Freshman VO will have to continue to play tough D and Will Sheehey will need to bring his spark. In the end, it’s going to be your Indiana Hoosiers 85, Northwestern State 74.

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