Indiana University
Notre Dame
NOTES: IU Heads to Indianapolis to Face Notre Dame in the Crossroads Classic
12/19/2019 2:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
OPENING TIP
Indiana University is in its 120th season of competition in men's basketball and will take on Notre Dame in the 9th Annual Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis. IU is 5-3 in the event, including a 3-1 mark against Notre Dame. Last year, the Hoosiers defeated Butler 71-68 on a Rob Phinisee three-pointer at the buzzer. IU is coming off a 96-90 overtime win at home against Nebraska, while Notre Dame beat UCLA, 75-61 in South Bend. In this stretch of 24 straight games against high-major opponents to finish the season, IU will play 11 games against Top 25 opposition and 22 against Top 100 teams according to KenPom.com. IU is currently 34th in the latest KenPom rankings and 35th in the NCAA's NET rankings.
GAME INFORMATION
Crossroads Classic
Saturday, Dec. 21 • Noon
Bankers Life Fieldhouse (18,345)
TV: ESPN (Jason Benetti and Jimmy Dykes)
Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, Joe Smith)
Series History: Indiana leads 50-22
Last Meeting: IU 80, ND 77 (ot); 12/16/17 - Indianapolis
THE COACHES
Indiana Coach Archie Miller is in his third season of guiding the Cream and Crimson. He is 184-95 in eight-plus years as a head coach, which includes six years at the University of Dayton. His Flyer teams made NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his last four seasons, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2014. He is 45-32 at IU. Mike Brey is in his 20th year at Notre Dame and is 425-224.
NEWS & NOTES
Freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis has won or shared the Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors 3 times this season. He is averaging a team-best 15.1 points and 9.1 rebounds. He has had 5 double-doubles in 10 games this season after his career-best 25-point, 15-board effort against Nebraska. Among freshmen, he ranks 1st in the nation in free throws made (54),2nd in the nation in field goal percentage (64.4%) rebounds (100) and free throw attempts (76), 3rd in blocked shots (22), and 10th in points scored (166).
Sophomore Rob Phinisee, who has missed five games with various ailments, returned to the lineup against UConn and had 6 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Against Nebraska, he had 16 points and 4 assists. Junior Justin Smith had 16 points and 10 boards against Nebraska. He is averaging 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds and leads the team in steals with 17.Junior Aljami Durham had 14 points and 3 assists against Nebraska. He is averaging 12.8 points and is shooting 50.0% from the field and 41.0% from long distance. Senior Devonte Green is averaging 12.5 points and shooting a team-best 42.5% from long distance. He scored a career-high 30 points and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists in leading the Hoosiers over Florida State. Redshirt junior forward Joey Brunk had 9 key second half points to help IU earn the win in the Jimmy V Classic. He will become the second player in this event to play for more than one team. He came to IU from Butler after last season. Austin Etherington began his career at IU in 2011 and transferred to Butler in 2014.
ODDS AND TRENDS
IU leads the nation in free throws made per game at 20.7 and free throws attempted at 29.4 per game. IU has had 10 players score in each game the last two games.
