I continue to emphasize the importance of getting to 60 points first in the game of college basketball. Due to surgery, I was unable to watch the next few games as three-straight I.U. opponents took advantage of “The Rule” and handed the Hoosiers a trio of BIG losses. The first was Purdue who led 60-51 with just about 13-minutes left on the fast track to an 87-66 victory at Assembly Hall. According to reports, Zach Edey The 7-foot-4 senior “drew fouls, made shots and even chased loose balls,” finishing with 33 points and 14 rebounds while leading the second-ranked Boilermakers to the 21-point rout. Trey Galloway scored 17 points and Mackenzie Mgbako had 15, but Indiana trailed for the final 37 minutes, most of that time by double digits, after falling into an early 25-13 hole and a 51-29 deficit at halftime.

 Indiana has gone entire seasons without losing at Assembly Hall, including 1973, 1975, 1976, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2007, and 2016. This loss to the Boilermakers ranked fourth on the list. Here are the worst home losses in the modern era:

  1. February 25, 2010 – 32-point loss to Wisconsin

  2. February 25, 2009 – 22-point loss to Northwestern

  3. November 10, 2017 – 21-point loss to Indiana State

  4. January 16, 2024 21-point loss to Purdue

  5. January 27, 1977 – 19-point loss to Minnesota

  6. January 24, 1990 – 18-point loss to Michigan State

  7. March 6, 2004 – 18-point loss to Wisconsin

  8. December 31, 2010 – 18-point loss to Ohio State

  9. January 6, 1977 – 17-point loss to Purdue

  10. February 19, 2009 – 17-point loss to Wisconsin

  11. December 12, 2009 – 17-point loss to Kentucky

  12. February 10, 2010 – 17-point loss to Ohio State

  13. February 3, 2024 – 14-point loss to Penn State

There was then no rest for the weary as the Hoosiers traveled to Wisconsin for a 91-79 beating. Max Klesmit scored 20 consecutive Wisconsin points during a second-half span of just over 4 1/2 minutes, and the 11th-ranked Badgers prevailed. To add to the ugliness, this time it was C.J. Gunn who was ejected as the Badgers won the “race to 60” with the tally showing 61-47 and13:07 left. Wisconsin (14-4, 6-1 Big Ten) had now won its last 20 home games against Indiana and hadn’t lost to the Hoosiers in Madison since 1998, the Kohl Center’s inaugural season. Indiana (12-7, 4-4) was missing top rebounder and second-leading scorer, 7-foot Kel’el Ware due to a lower-leg injury. Malik Reneau scored 28 points, Mackenzie Mgbako 17, and Trey Galloway 10 for struggling Indiana.

It was then on to Champaign and another thrashing 70-62 by the #10 Illini. After a 60-56 Illinois lead at the 3:01 mark, Terrence Shannon Jr. made six free throws in the final minute. Indiana actually tied the game at 62 to keep things interesting with 1:29 left on a basket by Mackenzie Mgbako, part of his 12-point contribution. Malik Reneau, who scored 21 points for Indiana (12-8, 4-5), fouled out with 3:02 left. Xavier Johnson had 14 points while Ware once again was sidelined.

Iowa then came to town and IU managed to top the scoreboard 74-68 despite squandering a 17-point lead. It was Anthony Leal’s time to finally shine, scoring a career-high 13. Kel’el Ware returned with a 23-point effort including a free throw at 5:43 for a 60-58 advantage. Iowa came back to tie it at 60, but the Hoosiers prevailed in spite of both a Reneau ankle injury and Xavier Johnson’s banged-up elbow late in the game.

The Nittany Lions then came to Assembly Hall but I.U. couldn’t capitalize on the home court advantage, adding Penn State to the list of worst home losses.  Malik Reneau came back to play, after missing practice while Johnson remained out of the lineup. Penn State (10-11, 5-6 Big Ten) hadn’t beaten Indiana in Bloomington since a 66-65 win on Feb. 12, 2014. At 11:05, the hot-shooting Nittany Lions were up 61-48 on the way to the 85-71 upset. 

Kel’el Ware scored 17 of his 25 points in the first half for the Hoosiers. Malik Reneau added 16 points, MacKenzie Mgbako 13, and Trey Galloway 12 for the Hoosiers.

After this disheartening 1-3 stretch, the team headed to Columbus. Xavier Johnson didn’t dress, and I.U. trailed by 18 points twice in the second half, 47-29 at 18:58 and again 49-31 with 17:39 remaining. The Buckeyes even won the battle to 60, cruising to a 60-47 lead at 10:33 on a Dale Bonner three and all seemed futile. Then, the resilient Hoosiers mounted an incredible comeback by a 29-13 margin capped by Anthony Leal’s two free throws to win 76-73.

Here’s what Coach Woodson said after the game: “I thought tonight Gallo was huge in the second half. Our defense was solid in the second half, you hold this team to 31 points, that was the difference in getting back into the ballgame. Gallo coming down the stretch and Anthony making the big three was huge. Then getting the stop we needed when we stole the ball. It was big.”

Thus, the tale of two halves: Ohio State shot 50% in the first half and just 32% in the second but finished 24 for 27 at the line. Indiana shot 33% in the opening period and 55% after halftime. Galloway scored 19 second-half points and Reneau added 16 for the Hoosiers, combining for 51 of IU’s total points. Ware played just 10 minutes in the first half before picking up two fouls, and four total fouls in the game limited him to just 26 minutes. He then awkwardly landed on his leg and limped off the court. Ultimately, the careless Hoosiers gave up 22-points on 12 turnovers but still managed to win.

It didn’t get any easier as the wounded Hoosiers (14-9, 6-6) then traveled up I-65 to West Lafayette and once again squared off with #2 Purdue (21-2, 10-2). The Boilers were a perfect 11-0 at Mackey, so fan expectations were low. Would there be magic or more misery?