Indiana University Men’s Basketball looks to keep the Momentum Going hosting Penn State The Indiana Hoosiers are looking to keep their NCAA Tournament Hopes alive when they host the Penn State Nittany Lions Tonight at 8:30 PM in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall with Television Coverage on the Big Ten Network. Indiana is 16-11 overall and 7-9 in the Big Ten after knocking off #13 Purdue 73-58 Sunday afternoon in a sold-out Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers were down 37-25 at half and outscored Purdue 48-21 in the second half. Malik Reneau became the 55th Hoosier to score 1,000 points in his career after he scored 15 points along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. The Miami, Florida native was a perfect 7-7 from the floor and becomes the 18th Hoosier all-time and first since De’Ron Davis did it at Michigan on February 16, 2020, to hit every shot from the field with a minimum of seven attempts in a game. In the last four games Reneau has averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He is shooting 54 percent from the field going 27-47 in that four-game stretch. For the season Reneau is averaging 12.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Turnovers had been a problem for the Hoosiers for most of the season but in the last four games Indiana has coughed up fewer than 10. Indiana has averaged 7.8 turnovers per game in that four-game stretch. The four game with stretch with 10 or fewer turnovers is longest by a Hoosier team in the play-by-play database dating back to the 1997-98 season. Indiana forced Purdue into 16 turnovers which is the highest for the Boilermakers since they committed 16 turnovers against Texas A&M on December 14, 2024, as Indiana cashed in the extra possessions into 23 points and scored 44 points in the paint. Oumar Ballo is leading the team with 13.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Ballo came off the b bench to score 12 points in 23 minutes against Purdue along with a block. Mackenzie Mgbako who was held scoreless in 9 minutes of action Sunday averages 12.6 points per game. Myles Rice is averaging 10.9 points and leads the team with 1.1 steals per game and Trey Galloway leads the team with 4.2 assists per game.
Indiana Head Coach Mike Woodson went with smaller lineup on Sunday starting Seniors Anthony Leal, Luke Goode and Trey Galloway along with Junior Malik Reneau and Sophomore Myles Rice who combined scored 59 of the 71 points against Purdue with the other 12 coming from Ballo. Woodson used 8 guys as Sophomore Kanaan Carlyle played 7 minutes but did not score. Indiana is averaging 75.5 points and committing 11.6 turnovers per game. The Hoosiers are shooting 46 percent from the field, 31 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the free throw line.
Penn State is 15-13 overall and 5-12 in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions have won two in a row beating Nebraska 89-72 at home and a road win at Minnesota 69-60 Last Saturday. Penn State is currently in 17th place in the conference standings and on the outside looking in as the top 15 make the upcoming Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. After Indiana Penn State will host Maryland on Saturday and have week off before traveling to Wisconsin for the Regular Season finale the following Saturday. Indiana beat Penn State 77-71 on January 5, at the Palrestra in Philadelphia. The Hoosiers are 44-17 all-time against Penn State with 23-4 record against the Nittany Lions in Bloomington and have won the last two meetings in the series.
Ace Baldwin Jr. Leads the team with 13.7 points, 7.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game. 7-0 Junior Yanic Konan Niederhauser averages 12.9 points and leading team with 6.2 rebounds along with 2.2 blocks per game. Nick Kern Jr. Is averaging 11.9 points, Zach Hicks is averaging 11.7 points and Puff Johnson averages 10.2 points per game. The Nittany Lions are averaging 79.4 points and committing 12.3 turnovers per game. Penn State comes to Bloomington shooting 47 percent from the field, 33 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the free throw line. Head Coach Mike Rhoades is 31-30 in his second season at Penn State 404-219 overall 21 seasons overall.
After Penn State the Hoosiers travel to Washington and Oregon and that will be a tough road trip to close out the regular season. Washington is at the bottom of the Big Ten fighting just to get in the Big Ten Tournament while Oregon is a NCAA tournament team and would be a quad 1 win on the road. The Hoosiers close out the regular season at home with Ohio State and what will be Mike Woodson final home game as Hoosier Head Coach after it was announced earlier that he was retiring at the end of the season. The Hoosiers were able to beat their archrival at home Sunday as Woodson is 4-4 against Purdue as Head Coach but they have a lot more season left and lot to still play for as postseason is on the horizon.
Indiana University Baseball Walks it off against Northwestern Sophomore catcher T.J. Schuyler was 0-for-20 to open his college career at the plate. He had made 23 appearances and five starts entering the day but couldn’t get over the early hump inside the batter’s box. Until Monday afternoon. Head coach Jeff Mercer called on the Antioch, Illinois native to pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth inning on Monday (Feb. 24) against Northwestern. With two runners on and no outs, he squared around to bunt. Schuyler then pulled back and roped a ball into left field. It dropped in front of the outfielder as redshirt sophomore Korbyn Dickerson raced around to score the winning run. After a trio of late losses last week in Arizona, the Indiana Baseball team (3-4) finally was able to close out a close game. Northwestern tied the game in the top half of the ninth, but Schuyler’s clutch hit delivered a 4-3 win and capped off a perfect weekend in Cary for the Hoosiers.
IU’s bullpen provided a brilliant day after the Wildcats scored two early runs. Graduate student right-handed pitcher Drew Buhr tossed four scoreless innings out of the bullpen to keep IU within striking distance. Freshman right-hander Henry Brummel had a pair of strikeouts in 2.2 innings of action. Graduate student right-handed pitcher Ben Grable (W, 1-0), a former Northwestern pitcher, got the final out in the ninth and earned the win. Redshirt sophomore outfielder Korbyn Dickerson continued his outstanding start to the season with his fourth-consecutive multi-hit game. He led off the ninth inning with a base knock and scored the eventual winning run. Over his last five games, Dickerson is hitting .417 (10-24) with three home runs, 10 runs scored and 13 RBIs.
Sophomore outfielder Andrew Wiggins was inserted into the cleanup spot this weekend and has run with the opportunity. He reached base four times and picked up his first three-hit day of the season. Despite starting just three games this year, he leads the team with 11 walks six of which came this weekend. IU is set to play its home opener this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Bart Kaufman Field. The Hoosiers will meet Xavier for the second time this season. The game will have free admission for all fans and will be streamed on B1G+.
Boys Basketball State Tournament draw announced The road to Gainbridge Fieldhouse starts next Tuesday for 403 teams across the State of Indiana as Pairings were announced for the 115th annual IHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament Sunday Night. The Sectionals will run from Tuesday March 4, through Saturday March 8. The Regional will be a single game championship on March 15. The Semi State will be a two-game affair on March 22 and it ends with 4 State Champions being crowned at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 29. A total of 399 games will be played in 26 days across the State of Indiana and it will be an exciting time around a State where basketball is religion, and nothing compares to High School Basketball Tournament Play in the State of Indiana.
In Class 4A at Bloomington South it will be a battle of City Schools to kick off the sectional as 15-8 Bloomington South takes on 7-14 Bloomington North Tuesday Night at 7 with the winner taking on 5-16 Martinsville in the Second Semifinal on Friday at 7:30 PM. 9-14 Terre Haute South and 17-5 Terre Haute North will face off in the first Semifinal on Friday Night at 6 PM with the Semifinal winners facing off on Saturday Night in the Championship Game at 7 PM.
In Class 3A at Cascade 10-9 Edgewood will open the sectional at 6 PM Next Tuesday against 9-12 Indianapolis Washington followed by 4-18 Owen Valley and 13-8 Cascade at 7:30 PM. 21-1 Northview will face the Edgewood-Indianapolis Washington Winner in the first Semifinal on Friday at 6 PM with 2-18 Speedway facing the Owen Valley-Cascade Winner in the second Semifinal on Friday at 7:30 PM with the championship game scheduled for Saturday Night at 7:30 PM.
In Class 1A at White River Valley 11-10 Shakamak will face 14-7 Bloomfield in the opener Tuesday night at 6 PM followed by 20-1 Clay City and 10 is-13 Lighthouse Christian at 7:30 PM with the winners meeting the first Semifinal Friday night at 6 PM. On Wednesday Night 3-17 Dugger Union takes on 9-12 White River Valley at 6 PM followed by 9-14 Cloverdale and 7-13 North Central (Farmersburg) with the winners facing off on the second Semifinal on Friday Night at 7:30 with the championship game scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 PM.
Monroe County has had in incredible run in Boys Basketball but in 2024 the County did not see a sectional champion for the first time since 1995 and only two other times in 1990 and 1994 a Monroe County has not won a Boys Sectional Basketball Championship. Going back to the 1970’s Monroe County Teams won seven Sectional titles and were shutout in 1974, 1975 and 1977. So, after a year or not winning a sectional title for the first time in 19 years Monroe County is hungry to bring another Boys Basketball Sectional trophy home.
IHSAA Approves Change to the Transfer Rule The Indiana High School Athletic Association Executive Committee has approved a rule change to allow a change to its athletic transfer rule. The rule is set to go into effect on July 1, 2025. The change will allow most students to transfer high schools for athletic reasons without any restrictions on their eligibility. The Republican-controlled Statehouse is pushing for school choice when it comes to sports. The IHSAA processed 3,523 student-athlete transfers this school year. Almost 93% received full athletic eligibility at their new school, while 6% were granted limited eligibility. Less than 1% of the students were ruled ineligible for sports.
Transfers for purely athletic reasons are not currently allowed. House Bill 1064, authored by State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown), would change state law about that. “We live in a state that parents should be in control of their (child’s) education,” Criswell said. “We’re kind of a school choice state, so parents should be. But I believe, working with the IHSAA, we’ve come up with a plan that’s going to be recognized throughout the whole nation to have guard rails, and not open it up, every year you can go here and go there. That’s not what we wanted to do.”
The IHSAA Board of Directors adopted new rules at its meeting on Feb. 21 that would allow a student to transfer one time in the first three years of high school with no restrictions on athletic eligibility. A student transferring for their senior year would face greater restrictions. The new rules would take effect next school year. “I think they’re hopeful that we make some adjustments that accommodate school choice, and they would prefer that we make adjustments to our current bylaws, rather than it being rooted in state law,” IHSAA Commission Paul Neidig said. HB 1064 passed through the House by a vote of 67-25 and now goes to the State Senate. Criswell said the legislation actually must pass in order to remove language from the Indiana code that would allow the IHSAA to change its bylaws on athletic transfers.
Recruiting athletes to high schools would still be prohibited. “Schools would make a great mistake if they used this to try to recruit the best athletes into a single school because that’s not what the high school education system is about,” Neidig said. “This has to be about the experience of being a high school athlete and the education you get from being part of a program.”
Indianapolis Indians Announce 2025 Daily Deals for the season Fan-favorite Daily Deals are officially returning to Victory Field for the upcoming 2025 season, which kicks off on Tuesday, April 1 vs. the Iowa Cubs. Tickets for the Indianapolis Indians 75-game home slate through mid-September go on sale to the general public on Monday, March 3 at 10 AM. “Over the years, fans have grown to know and love the Daily Deals that enhance the ballpark experience at Victory Field,” said Matt Guay, Indianapolis Indians vice president and general manager. “From discounts on concessions, drinks and tickets to postgame fireworks shows, there’s something for everyone at every Indians game.”
Tuesday Dollar Menu presented by Eisenberg will kick off every homestand. Hot dogs, peanuts, potato chips, popcorn, Cracker Jack® and churros will all be available for just $1. Six Half-Off Wednesday Nights presented by AAA Insurance and Best One are spaced throughout the season. Box, Reserved and Lawn seats will all be 50% off for games on April 2, May 14, May 28, July 23 and Aug. 27. Fans must enter the code HALF in the coupon code field before selecting and adding seats to their cart.
Thirsty Thursdays™ presented by Busch Light will be in effect for every Thursday night home game, with $3 draft beers and 12oz Busch Light cans, and Pepsi products available for $2. Select Thursdays will also feature live music from local bands as gates open, with the Indians donning their Indy-centric Circle City threads. Friday Fireworks presented by AAA Insurance are returning for every Friday home game this season beginning April 5. Postgame fireworks are also scheduled on Memorial Day (May 26), Saturday, July 5 and Saturday, Sept. 13.
Kids Eat Free Sundays presented by Meijer are in store for every Sunday home game at the Vic. All children 14 and under receive a free hot dog, bag of chips and drink with price of admission. Knot Hole Kids Club members may run the bases after every Sunday game, too. The Indians’ season opener on Friday, March 28 at St. Paul will open the franchise’s 123rd season in continuous operation. Full season, half season and mini plans are on sale, and group and premium reservations may also be made. For more on the Indians, visit IndyIndians.com or contact the Victory Field Box Office at (317) 269-3545 or Tickets@IndyIndians.com.
13 Former Indiana University Men’s Soccer Players in Major League Soccer as the 2025 Season is Underway As a new Major League Soccer season kicked off last Friday, 13 former Indiana men’s soccer athletes will represent 10 different clubs in 2025. Two Hoosiers have new homes this season. Mason Toye joined Sporting Kansas City on a free agent deal this offseason and has featured regularly during the club’s preseason slate. SKC also drafted Jansen Miller No. 8 overall in the MLS SuperDraft in December. Miller impressed in preseason and last week signed an MLS contract with club. Meanwhile, on the west coast, Eriq Zavaleta – an MLS Champion with LA Galaxy last season – Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes) each inked new contracts with their clubs. Herbert Endeley also signed a new MLS deal with FC Dallas after leading affiliate North Texas SC to a 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup title.
FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan and goalkeeper Roman Celentano will look to help their club reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in their four years with the club. For the first time since 2020, Aidan Morris will not play in MLS – the former Columbus Crew star completed a transfer to Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship last summer. The 23-year-old has appeared in 28 matches for the club during the 2024-25 season. See below the full list of Hoosiers in Major League Soccer.
HOOSIERS IN MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Roman Celentano – FC Cincinnati
Griffin Dorsey – Houston Dynamo
Herbert Endeley – FC Dallas
Ned Grabavoy – Portland Timbers (General Manager)
Andrew Gutman – Chicago Fire
Jack Maher – Nashville SC
Jansen Miller – Sporting Kansas City
Daniel Munie – San Jose Earthquakes
Trey Muse – Portland Timbers
Pat Noonan – FC Cincinnati (Head Coach)
Caleb Porter – New England Revolution (Head Coach)
Mason Toye – Sporting Kansas City
Eriq Zavaleta – LA Galaxy