How to Watch Indiana's Game Vs. North Alabama on Sunday; Gametime, TV, Point Spread
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – When the NCAA shortened the college basketball season by two weeks, it basically gutted Indiana's schedule of nonconference home games. They wound up with only two, and the last one is Sunday against North Alabama.
The two teams met last year in Assembly Hall, with Indiana wining 91-65 on Nov. 12. They meet again thanks to some last-minute phone calls that put the game together. Here's that story from earlier today. CLICK HERE
The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network, so check your local listings to know which channel that is on your TV system. On DirecTV, it's Channel 610, on Dish Network it's 450, and on AT&T UVerse, it's 1650 for their high-definition channel. It can also be streamed online on FoxSports app.
** FOLLOW THE LIVE BLOG HERE DURING THE GAME: CLICK HERE **
Here are the particulars on Sunday's game:
- Who: North Alabama Lions (2-1, 0-0 in the Atlantic Sun) vs. Indiana Hoosiers (3-2, 0-0 in the Big Ten).
- When: Noon ET, Sunday, Dec. 13.
- Where: Simon Skojdt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Ind.
- Latest Line: Indiana is favored by 24 points according to the DraftKings.com website as of 6 a.m. on Sunday morning.
- Poll rankings: Neither team is ranked. Indiana is receiving votes in both polls, ranking No. 29 in the AP poll and No. 32 in the coaches poll. That's a move up from 32/36 a week ago.
- Kenpom.com rankings: Indiana is No. 21 in the Kenpom rankings, not dropping after Wednesday's overtime loss at Florida State. North Alabama is No. 257, out of 357 teams.
- Series history: Indiana leads the all-time series 1-0.
- Last meeting: Indiana won 91-65 last year in Bloomington, with Trayce Jackson-Davis leading the way with 20 points. He made 14-of-15 free throws that night.
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Announcers: Chis Vosters and Brian Butch
- Radio: Indiana Radio Network
- Announcers: Don Fischer, Errek Suhr and Joe Smith
- Streaming: IUHoosiers.com/broadcast
Here are three things I want to see from the Hoosiers on Sunday:
1. Get the freshmen comfortable
Indiana's schedule has been so difficult to open the season that their four heralded freshmen have really had to learn the college game on the fly. It hasn't really gone particularly well, so this might be the perfect opportunity for them to get some quality minutes and loosen up a little bit.
This group was supposed to add some much-needed perimeter shooting, but it hasn't happened yet. The group of Trey Galloway, Khristian Lander, Jordan Geromino and Anthony Leal are just 4-for-25 from three-point range (16 percent). Sometimes you just need a game to kick-start some confidence, and this might be the perfect day for that to happen.
2. Keep Trayce rolling
It's no surprise that Indiana sophomore Trayce Jackson-Davis has been the Hoosiers' best player so far, and it will be nice for him to continue to dominate.
Jackson-Davis is averaging 22.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, with two double-doubles. He had a career-high 31 points in a win against Stanford, and a career-high 17 rebounds in the loss to Florida State on Wednesday. This is his chance to dominate inside. He had 20 points against North Alabama a year, and made 14-of-15 free throws.
3. Cover the 3-point line well
North Alabama likes to hoist up on a lot of three-pointers every game, and they're average 10 makes per game so far this season. This will be a good test for Indiana's three-guard set, which will have to extend its defense and keep the Lions from getting on a roll from deep.
It's wouldn't be a bad thing to hit some threes of their own. Indiana has made only 21 shots from deep in five games. They really need to add that perimeter threat to their arsenal.
Related stories on Indiana basketball
- LIVE BLOG FOR THE GAME: Follow along with our live blog as Indiana takes on North Alabama in Assembly Hall. CLICK HERE
- HOW NORTH ALABAMA GOT HERE: Indiana and North Alabama weren't supposed to play this year, but COVID and one phone call changed all that. Here's the back story on how this game came together. CLICK HERE
- FRANKLIN ON THE RISE: Sophomore guard Armaan Franklin has turned the corner for the Hoosiers, and has been their best player on the defensive end so far this season. CLICK HERE
- JACKSON-DAVIS A LEADER: Indiana sophomore Trayce Jackson-Davis lit into his teammates Wednesday after the overtime loss to Florida State. He wants to eliminate all complacency on this team. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA SCHEDULE: Here is the full Indiana basketball schedule for the 2020-21 season, including links to the game stories and Tom Brew columns. CLICK HERE
