IU Basketball vs Rutgers — Live Updates and Discussion Thread (FINAL)

Follow along with live updates below as the Hoosiers take on Rutgers in Piscataway.

Feel free also to join the discussion thread below to share your views.

Indiana and the Scarlet Knights tip off at 6:00 p.m. ET on FS1.

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FINAL: Indiana 82 – Rutgers 59

SECOND HALF

IU firmly in control. 74-56 with 3:55 left.

This is a great way to break a four-game skid for Darian DeVries. He got Wilkerson and DeVries’s confidence built back up while also giving Nick Dorn an opportunity in the starting role, which he excelled in. Indiana has 10 points outside of those three.

Indiana leads 69-51 with 7:39 to play.

IU has played very consistent offense in this one, despite some efforts from Rutgers to claw back. They’ve shot 49 percent and are 12 for 30 from beyond the arc. IU has made all seven of its free throws as well.
Tariq Francis has outscored all of the Scarlet Knights’ starters so far, which is absolutely crazy. Outside of Francis, there isn’t a player in double figures for Rutgers.

Rutgers comes right back with a run of their own. 60-47 with 13:02 to go.

Tariq Francis is keeping Rutgers afloat single-handedly. He’s got 23 points on 9 of 15 shooting. Hoosiers have to take a timeout.
Nick Dorn hits another three out of the timeout. He’s tied his career high for made 3s in a game.

Hoosiers cruising. They’re up 60-40 with 14:33 left.

Nick Dorn is on fire. He’s 5 for 8 from beyond the arc and has 20 points so far on the night. Dorn and DeVries both have 20, and Wilkerson has 16. They’ve also forced a Rutgers scoring drought in the past 2:30.
Keep in mind, Indiana is doing this without a healthy Tayton Conerway. Nick Dorn’s play over the past few games at least warrants a conversation for him to be in the starting lineup. The rotation of Conerway, Wilkerson, Dorn, DeVries, Alexis would be the one I’d be most interested in.

HALFTIME: Indiana 47 – Rutgers 32

FIRST HALF

Indiana up 33-25 with four minutes to go.

Tucker DeVries is getting warmer. He’s up to 13 points on 5 for 10 shooting. However, Indiana’s offense is looking a little stagnant right now. Not enough movement or pressure in the paint.
Tariq Francis is up to 14 points so far for Rutgers. He’s been their go-to player this season, and averages 15 a game. IU had a few possessions where they’ve lost him and other shooters on defense.

24-14, IU leads with 7:54 to go.

Lamar Wilkerson has started off nicely as well. He’s up to 11 points on 5 for 8 shooting. He’s had a few of his tougher looks go down early, which has helped his confidence.
Meanwhile, Rutgers is having a hard time getting things going in the field. They’ve started 29% from the field, and the five players they will have coming out of the timeout have not scored yet.

Lead is cut to 20-13. 10:11 left in the half.

Indiana continues to struggle with finishing through contact at the rim. However, they’re still shooting pretty efficiently at 50% so far.
Tayton Conerway did check in after the first media timeout, but it looks like he will be checking out heading into the next one. Enright will have most of the ball-handling duties tonight.

Hoosiers lead 15-7 through a long first segment. 13:53 to go.

Indiana is off to a good start. They’re 6 for 10 from the field with a few makes from beyond the arc. Tucker DeVries is the early points leader with six.
IU is also staying pretty disciplined on defense with only two fouls. Enright has one of those, and he’ll have to stay out of trouble with Conerway limited.

PREGAME NOTES

Tayton Conerway has been labeled as QUESTIONABLE. On the pregame radio show, Darian DeVries said he will be a game-time decision, and will be on a minutes restriction if he were to play. Drake and Harris remain OUT.
Arguably, this is as close to a “must-win” you can have for a conference game in the middle of January. Indiana needs to regain some sort of momentum ahead of their West Coast trip and a few ranked matchups.
Starting Lineup: Enright, Wilkerson, Dorn, DeVries, Alexis

Game Day Essentials:

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