Indiana vs Lindenwood: Game Preview

Indiana Hoosiers Prepare to Face Lindenwood Lions in Home Showdown

The No. 25 Indiana Hoosiers (4-0) look to extend their perfect start to the 2025-26 season when they host the Lindenwood Lions (2-3) on Thursday, November 20th, at the iconic Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs, offering a unique opportunity for the Hoosiers to solidify their early-season dominance.

Game Day Essentials: Key Details

Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will be televised nationally on the Big Ten Network (BTN), with Jeff Levering and Shon Morris on the call. Fans can also catch the action via radio on the IU Radio Network or streaming through Fox Sports. Indiana enters the contest as a hefty 34.5-point favorite, with KenPom projecting a comfortable 91-62 Hoosier victory.

Lindenwood Lions: Profile and Recent Performance

The Lions, competing in their third season as a Division I program within the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), are navigating the transition from Division II. Head coach Kyle Gerdeman, in his seventh season overall and seventh at Lindenwood, leads a squad featuring nine newcomers.

Lindenwood's season has been inconsistent. They began with a tough 60-98 loss at No. 10 Texas Tech, followed by a dominant 116-51 win over UHSP. They then dropped a 66-109 decision at Saint Louis before securing an impressive 83-77 victory over Charleston Southern and falling 65-74 at Alabama A&M. Their most recent result, a loss to Alabama A&M, contrasts sharply with Indiana's 98-51 drubbing of the same Bulldogs earlier in the season.

Lindenwood Players to Watch

Jadis Jones is the Lions' standout performer. The reigning OVC Freshman of the Year (now a sophomore) is lighting up the stat sheet, averaging 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Jones is remarkably efficient, leading the entire OVC in field goal percentage at a staggering 82.4%, though he has yet to attempt a three-pointer this season.

Mekhi Cooper and Milos Nenadic are key transfers making an impact. Cooper, a 6'0 guard from Miami (OH), started 63 of 65 games for the Redhawks and provides valuable experience. Nenadic, a transfer from Maine, leads the team in rebounds (7.4 rpg) and is tied for the team lead in scoring (12.4 ppg) alongside Dontrez Williams (12.7 ppg) from Abilene Christian.

Indiana Hoosiers: Balanced Attack Continues

The Hoosiers have been impressive, showcasing remarkable balance. A different player has led IU in scoring in each of their first four games: Reed Bailey (21 vs. Alabama A&M), Tucker DeVries (27 vs. Marquette), Lamar Wilkerson (24 vs. Milwaukee), and Sam Alexis (16 vs. Incarnate Word). This depth and versatility will be crucial against a Lindenwood team that has struggled offensively.

Lindenwood's KenPom numbers reveal significant challenges. They rank 346th out of 365 teams in Offensive Efficiency, shooting just 44.7% on effective field goals (313th) and a dismal 24.7% from three-point range (338th). Their turnover rate (20.7%, 297th) is also a major concern. Defensively, they rank 276th, allowing opponents to shoot 57.1% eFG (319th).

Expert Predictions and Outlook

Analysts expect a comfortable Hoosier victory. IndyStar's Zach Osterman projects Indiana 101-65, citing the team's high-volume three-point shooting as a key advantage that should overcome any early-season variance seen against Incarnate Word. The Daily Hoosier's Owen Graham predicts Indiana 95-60, emphasizing the gap in quality, especially when comparing results against common opponent Alabama A&M.

For Indiana, the focus will be on maintaining defensive intensity, forcing turnovers, and capitalizing on Lindenwood's struggles inside the arc. For Lindenwood, the goal will be to weather the storm, play with pace (ranked 49th nationally), and hope Jones and their transfers can exploit any Hoosier lapses.

Where to Watch

Don't miss the action! Tip-off is Thursday, November 20th at 6:00 p.m. ET at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Watch on BIG TEN NETWORK (BTN) or stream on Fox Sports. Radio coverage is available on 105.1 FM (Bloomington), 93.1 FM (Indianapolis), and SiriusXM Channel 382.