Hoosiers Now

Interesting Opening Line for Indiana's Game With Northern Kentucky on Wednesday

Indiana is undefeated so far this season inside the friendly confines of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and the Hoosiers are back at home on Wednesday night against Northern Kentucky. The point spread is out, and it's a surprising number.

Tom Brew

Interesting Opening Line for Indiana's Game With Northern Kentucky on Wednesday
Interesting Opening Line for Indiana's Game With Northern Kentucky on Wednesday /

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. —Indiana is back at home at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday night, taking on Northern Kentucky of the Horizon League in a nonconference game. 

The Hoosiers, who are 8-0 at home this season, have opened as a 17-point favorite against the Norse. They have been favored by 20 points are more four times so far this season in its soft opening schedule, and covered three of the four games.

The Hoosiers are 9-2 on the season and 7-4 against the point spread this season. They are 6-2 against the spread at home. Here are their results thus far:

  • Nov. 9 — Beat Eastern Michigan 68-62 as a 24-point favorite (lost)
  • Nov. 12 — Beat Northern Illinois 85-49 as a 25.5-point favorite (won)
  • Nov. 17 — Beat St. John's 76-74 as a 6-point favorite (lost)
  • Nov. 21 — Beat Louisiana 76-44 as an 11.5-point favorite (won)
  • Nov. 23 — Beat Jackson State 70-35 as a 22.5-point favorite (won)
  • Nov. 27 — Beat Marshall 90-79 as a 10.5-point favorite (won)
  • Nov. 30 — Lost to Syracuse 112-110 as a 2.5-point favorite (lost)
  • Dec. 4 — Beat Nebraska 68-55 as an 11-point favorite (won)
  • Dec. 8 — Lost to Wisconsin 64-59 as a 4.5-point underdog (lost)
  • Dec. 12 — Beat Merrimack 81-49 as a 20-point favorite (won)
  • Dec. 18 — Beat Notre Dame 64-56 as a 4.5-point favorite (won)

Northern Kentucky is 4-6 on the season, and 0-2 so far in Horizon League games, losing to Cleveland State and Purdue-Fort Wayne. They are ranked No. 197 out of 358 teams in the Kenpom.com rankings.

Here is an interesting nugget to know about Northern Kentucky's season. The Norse are just 1-7 against the point spread this season. As good as Indiana has been at home this season, the number sure seems a little low.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

  • HOW TO WATCH: Here's how to watch Indiana's game with Northern Kentucky on Wednesday night, with game times, TV information, starting lineups and nuggets on the game. CLICK HERE
  • PHINISEE ADAPTS TO NEW ROLE: Senior guard Rob Phinisee has started 69 games at Indiana, but this year he's coming off the bench. He's adapting to his new role well, and still understands his importance to this team. "I need Rob in the worst way,'' Indiana coach Mike Woodson said. CLICK HERE
  • WOODSON CHIDES FANS FOR BOOING: Indiana coach Mike Woodson said on his radio show Monday night that he was upset that Hoosiers fans booed Xavier Johnson during the Notre Dame game on Saturday. CLICK HERE
  • BREY IMPRESSED: Notre Dame coach Mike Brey is impressed with the Hoosiers, especially forward Trayce Jackson-Davis. CLICK HERE
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Tom Brew
TOM BREW

Tom Brew is an award-winning journalist who has worked at some of America's finest newspapers as a reporter and editor, including the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, the Indianapolis Star and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered college sports in the digital platform for the past six years, including the last five years as publisher of HoosiersNow on the FanNation/Sports Illustrated network.

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