The Indiana Hoosiers (9-8, 4-6 B10) were back in Assembly Hall looking to get their conference record back to even as they faced off against the No. 12 Illinois fighting Illini (12-5, 8-3 B10). Indiana looked for a bounce-back win after falling to Rutgers at home last week.
Head coach Archie Miller kept the starting five the same despite the return of sophomore guard Trey Galloway. The usual five started as Al Durham, Armaan Franklin, Rob Phinisee, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Race Thompson led the way for the Hoosiers to start.
Senior guard Al Durham got things started as he was able to knock down Indiana’s first shot attempt and poured in 8 points, including two threes, within the first four minutes.
IU led 12-8 at the first media timeout.
Trey Galloway made his first appearance in three weeks after suffering a lower back injury as he checked in at the 12:32 mark in the first half.
The big story early on in the contest for the Hoosiers was the play of freshman Galloway, Jordan Geronimo, Anthony Leal, and 5-star Khristian Lander. During a four minute stretch the four freshmen were all on the floor at the same time and were productive.
With just under eight minutes remaining the Hoosiers still led 24-19
Jackson-Davis recorder his fist field goal of the game at the 5:45 minute mark with a monstrous poster dunk on Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn.