Storylines to watch when Indiana men’s basketball hosts Boo Buie, Northwestern

With an eight-day rest under its belt, Indiana men’s basketball returns to the floor Sunday afternoon against Northwestern inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.  

Just four days after piecing together a second-half comeback to topple Ohio State on the road Feb. 6, the Hoosiers floundered against No. 2 Purdue in West Lafayette on Feb. 10. Indiana fell 79-59, marking its second 20-plus point defeat to the Boilermakers this season. 

Now, the Hoosiers host a Northwestern squad that sits fourth in the Big Ten and is fighting for a crack at the NCAA Tournament. The game is set to tip off at 3 p.m. and will be televised on FS1. 

Indiana has lost its last three matchups to Northwestern, with its last win coming in a double overtime thriller in 2021. Here are three storylines to watch when the Hoosiers and Wildcats take the floor Sunday: 

Shooting disparities 

It’s no secret Indiana strives to run its offense through the post. Sophomore forward Malik Reneau assumed a central role in the offense after program-great Trayce Jackson-Davis took his talents to the NBA. 

In 24 starts — tied for the team lead — Reneau paces the team in points with 16 per game and ranks second on the team in rebounds with 6.1 a contest. The efficient Reneau has become the Hoosiers’ primary weapon on the offensive end and a frequent beneficiary of pick and rolls. 

Still, despite Reneau’s sophomore year leap, Indiana’s surrounding cast hasn’t quite stepped up. Sophomore center Kel’el Ware has been an interior force on both ends of the floor and an adequate frontcourt partner for Reneau, but the Hoosiers are among the Big Ten’s worst 3-point shooting teams. 

Indiana ranks dead last in the conference in triples made with 122, translating to a measly 5.1 per game. Senior guard Trey Galloway, after a strong junior year shooting from beyond the arc, shot 28.2% from deep this season. 

Conversely, Northwestern ranks fourth in the conference in triples made with 8.4 per game and trails only Purdue in 3-point percentage. Senior guard Boo Buie — Northwestern’s leading scorer — boasts a 41.7% clip from range while senior guard Ryan Langborg knocks down nearly 40% of his threes.

Capitalizing on Northwestern’s defense 

Indiana has endured its share of offensive struggles, but it may have a chance to exploit Northwestern’s defense. The Wildcats rank 79th in Kenpom’s adjusted defensive ratings and check in at second to last in the Big Ten in rebounding margin. 

Especially with Northwestern’s increasingly thin rotation and reliance on starters, Indiana could have an opportunity to use offensive tempo to its advantage from the outset. Wildcat senior center Matthew Nicholson could be an adequate foe for Ware, meaning contributions from the Hoosiers’ backcourt will be a necessity. 

Opposing defenses have found success putting emphasis on Ware and Reneau while allowing Indiana’s perimeter options more open opportunities. Nonetheless, if players like senior guard Anthony Leal and sophomore guard CJ Gunn can step up and deliver from beyond the arc, the Hoosiers could gain an advantage over the Wildcats. 

Injury notes 

Northwestern will be without senior guard Ty Berry, who will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn meniscus. Berry was one of the Wildcats’ more consistent options thus far, averaging 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in just under 30 minutes per game. 

Starting 23 of 25 possible games this year, Berry offered a complementary dimension to the backcourt alongside Buie and junior guard Brooks Barnhizer. Buie and Barnhizer already lead the Big Ten in minutes with 36.5 per game, and losing Berry will force sophomore forward Nick Martinelli — who started Northwestern’s last two games in place of Berry — to help pick up the slack. 

For Indiana, sixth-year senior guard Xavier Johnson is still a question mark. Johnson sustained an elbow injury after an awkward fall against Iowa on Jan. 30 and missed the ensuing three games, and head coach Mike Woodson has reiterated he is unsure on the timeline of Johnson’s return. 

With seven games remaining in the regular season, it’s unclear if Johnson will be able to return. In 14 games played, and 11 starts, Johnson averaged 8.3 points in just under 25 minutes per game. If Johnson can’t suit up against Northwestern, Leal and Gunn are likely to help aid freshman guard Gabe Cupps and Galloway in the backcourt. 

Follow reporters Will Foley (@foles24) and Matt Press (@MattPress23) and columnist Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.