Following Indiana men’s basketball’s 66-60 win over Ohio State on Saturday, Mike Woodson remarked on his soon-to-end tenure as the program’s head coach.
“Maybe I’m leaving too soon,” Woodson said on the CBS broadcast, “I don’t know.”
Indiana Athletics announced Woodson’s decision to step down from the program after the season Feb. 7. At the time, the Hoosiers were 14-9, had lost six of their last seven matchups and were barreling toward their second straight season without a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Since then, Indiana has earned three Quad 1 wins and clawed back into at-large bid contention. The Hoosiers late-season surge — fueled by seniors and a departing coach — has made national headlines with its “Last Dance” narrative.
It’s a story that’s missing one final chapter.
Indiana (19-12, 10-10 Big Ten) will look to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament in a rematch with No. 23 Oregon (23-8, 12-8 Big Ten) on Thursday during the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Ducks closed out their regular season with seven-straight wins.
Another chance against the Ducks
Woodson’s team fell short of taking down Oregon in a 73-64 loss March 4 at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon. The Hoosiers led with less than two minutes remaining but allowed the Ducks to close the game with a 10-0 run.
Complaints with officiating flooded Woodson’s postgame press conference — Oregon shot 17 second-half free throws to the Hoosiers’ two — but offensive struggles were the catalyst for his team’s downfall.
Indiana’s 64 points were the third fewest it scored in the regular season. The Hoosiers failed to find open looks in their half-court offense and had an over four-minute scoring drought late in the second half that allowed Oregon to retake the lead.
Part of Indiana’s difficulties on that end of the floor stemmed from Oregon’s marquee defensive duo. Senior center Nate Bittle and senior guard T.J. Bamba — who were both named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team on Tuesday — played major roles in slowing down the Hoosiers. Bittle alone tallied four blocks and a steal in the Ducks’ win.
Still, the Hoosiers inefficiencies carried over into their senior day win over Ohio State. Indiana needed to overcome a 19 for 54 (35.2%) shooting performance in its comeback victory over the Buckeyes — the fewest made field goals the Hoosiers have had in any game this season.
Indiana will likely need a more efficient performance in a crucial rematch against Oregon on Thursday.
Hoosiers firmly on the bubble
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi dropped Indiana into his “Last Four In” in his latest projection. Most bubble teams are in Power 4 conferences and have yet to compete in their respective conference tournaments. Therefore, the Hoosiers path to the NCAA Tournament is still shrouded in uncertainty.
Regardless, a win over Oregon would all but guarantee Indiana’s addition to the 68-team field. The Hoosiers would reach the 20-win mark, earn a Quad 1 win at a neutral site and knock off an AP Top 25 opponent.
A loss would put Indiana at the mercy of the selection committee. While the Hoosiers’ wins over Michigan State and Purdue stand out, an early exit in the Big Ten Tournament could be the final blow to knock them out of the NCAA Tournament.
The odds say...
Indiana has a 40% chance of winning, according to ESPN Analytics.
Broadcast information
Thursday’s game will tip off at noon and be televised on the Big Ten Network. The winner will face the No. 1 seed Michigan State at noon Friday also on the Big Ten Network.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa) and columnist Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
