BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — On an afternoon where the program celebrated the 1980 team that eventually lost to Purdue in the NCAA tournament, the current-day Hoosiers fulfilled the ironic destiny by losing to Purdue on their home court 62-74. The Hoosiers move to 15-8 on the season, which includes a 5-7 conference record. Indiana is now currently back at risk for missing yet another NCAA tournament.

The Boilermakers earn an important road win and move to 14-10 overall.

Would the Hoosiers be able to match the energy that circulated Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall created by the rumors of the return of a former coach? Well, any momentum that Indiana could pick up with quickly deadened by Purdue’s efficient shooting combined with Indiana’s continued troubles in handling the rock.

Frankly by the second half, the depleted Hoosiers simply had no offensive answers to a Purdue team that more aggressively closed out on defense and never lost confidence in their own shooting ability.

Both teams opened up strong from behind the arc, shooting three of four. Purdue’s Eric Hunter made the Boilermaker’s first two buckets — two deep threes. Sophomore Aaron Wheeler then took on sharpshooting responsibility, hitting his first three attempts.

With a fresh haircut, Indiana freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis led Indiana with 16 points in the game. All afternoon he battled against Purdue’s double team and was again denied the ability to exercise his movements in the paint. In other news, Jackson-Davis mentioned to the media earlier today that he plans to stay for his sophomore season.

The Hoosiers let off the gas pedal near the end of the first half. After keeping up with the Boilermakers bucket for bucket, Indiana gave up a 12-0 run to end the half that allowed Purdue to take the nine point lead into halftime.

That’s not quite what the Hoosiers were hoping for going into an extended halftime where the program would celebrate one of the best teams in program history and one of the most legendary coaches in college basketball.

IndianaHQ Shop - Indiana Tshirts, IU Hoosiers Apparel

Indiana kept up on the glass, something they could not do previously against Ohio State; however, the caretaking of the ball was still missing. After just six turnovers at home against Maryland, Indiana tallied 17 against Penn State and 13 against Ohio State. They had 14 turnovers this afternoon.

At the 13-minute mark of the second half, Purdue had 15 points off of turnovers to Indiana’s 9, which happened to be equal to the score differential.

Indiana’s backcourt had another one of their less memorable performances. The core group of four has been consistently disrupted as the Hoosiers’ game plan is very obvious: pass along the perimeter until an opening inside appears.

Unable to get over the stagnant offense and a lackluster defensive performance, the Hoosiers will take their fourth loss in a row in embarrassing fashion considering the stakes of the opportunity.

Bob Knight returns to Assembly Hall

It happened. It finally happened.

After nearly two decades, the former Indiana head coach finally returned back to Assembly Hall and made a public appearance on the court during the halftime celebration of Indiana’s 1980 Big Ten championship team. Emotions were strong in the air as former players teared up as if they saw their “estranged father,” as the ESPN broadcast described.