LIVE BLOG: Follow Indiana's Game at Minnesota in Real Time

Indiana takes on Minnesota on Sunday night in a must-win game for its NCAA Tournament hopes. Here is our live blog, with news and views from the game in real time.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Welcome to our live blog as Indiana heads out of state for the last time this season. Indiana takes on Minnesota at 6 p.m. ET, and we've got you covered with all the latest news in real time.

If you're not familiar with our game-day blogs, we'll post things as they happen, and we'll throw in highlights and opinion as well. The most recent items are at the top. 

Enjoy the game!

7:26 — Rob Phinisee hitting a couple of threes is a huge deal. Kicking off the rust quickly.

7:20 — Miller Kopp just scored his 1,000th career point. I bet that surprised a lot of you. 

7:07 p.m. — Indiana doing a nice job of getting the big guys involved early. Trayce Jackson-Davis has four quick points and Race Thompson has a dunk. Parker Stewart adds a three, and Indiana has its biggest lead of the game at 49-36 with 15:32 to go 

7:03 p.m.  — Indiana has been here before, leading at halftime in a big game. They need to close this out now in the final 20 minutes, plain and simple.

HALFTIME STATS: Indiana finished the half 16-for-30 shooting, settling down after that torrid 8-for-11 start. Finished the half with three turnovers. All eight players who've seen action have scored.

6:47 p.m. — Payton Willis hits a three-pointer for Minnesota as the halftime clock winds down, but Indiana still goes to the locker room with a 40-33 lead. Xavier Johnson has 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting, with four made threes.

6:40 p.m. — The under-4 media timeout finally comes at the 2:08 mark with a lot of up-and-down action. Indiana leads 38-28 after another Xavier Johnson three-pointer

6:35 p.m. — Indiana is dominating on the boards. We're 15-plus minutes into this game and Minnesota doesn't have a single offensive rebound. 

6:30 p.m. — We're at the under-8 media timeout and Indiana still leads by eight at 29-21. They are 5-for-9 from three — Xavier Johnson has three of them — and still just the one turnover with 6:43 to go in the half. 

6:26 p.m. — And Rob Phinisee enters the game for Indiana. A great sight to see after missing seven games with a foot injury. He's on the board with a layup after a drive on the left side. Indiana leads 29-21.

6:22 p.m. — At the second media timeout, and Indiana leads 19-12. Xavier Johnson leading the way with eight points for the Hoosiers. Just one turnover (Parker Stewart) in the first eight-plus minutes.

6:15 p.m. — We're at the first media timeout, and Indiana leads 17-12. Probably one of their most efficient starts to a game all year. They are 7-for-10 from the field and 3-for-4 from three. For a team that's not even averaging five threes a game lately, that's huge. There's 13:06 to go in the first.

6:10 p.m. — But then Indiana gets hot, with two quick baskets inside from. Trayce Jackson-Davis and back-to-back three-pointers from Xavier Johnson and Miller Kopp. Both much needed!

6:05 p.m. — Not a criticism, but just the odds. Indiana point guard Xavier Johnson, who was a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor Thursday while scoring 24 points, misses his first shot. 

5:45 p.m. — Same starters for Indiana, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson, Parker Stewart, Xavier Johnson and Miller Kopp. 

Starters for this Sunday.

⚪️ @XavierJ0hnson
🔴 @Miller_Kopp
⚪️ @TrayceJackson
🔴 @RaceThompson1
⚪️ @_PSTEW pic.twitter.com/eQSwfyK1Ny

— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) February 27, 2022

5:40 p.m. — Here's the latest injury news for Indiana. Senior guard Rob Phinisee is dressed and ready to play after missing a month. He was hurt in the Jan. 26 Penn State game. Here's the story about his return. CLICK HERE Also, Trey Galloway is out with a lower body injury and Khristian Lander (knee) is dressed but not expecting to play. 

Indiana guard Rob Phinisee is expected to return to the lineup on Sunday at Minnesota. (Photo courtesy IU Athletics)

5:35 p.m. —  Trayce Jackson Davis had 10 points against Maryland on Thursday, and now sits at 1,423 career points, good for 21th place all-time. He is closing in on Ray Tolbert at No. 20 now, just four points away. For the complete list of 1,000-point scorers, CLICK HERE

5:30 p.m. — The Hoosiers are the top-rated team in the Big Ten in defense according to KenPom (18th nationally). IU is first in the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (38.4%) and first in conference games only. (40.8%). The Hoosiers are second in the league in scoring defense (64.8) and blocked shots (5.4). The Hoosiers 38.4% field goal defense mark would be the program’s best in the last 23 seasons. IU held opponents to 38.8% shooting in 1999-2000.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• HOW TO WATCH: Indiana needs victories in the worst way to lock up an NCAA tournament bid, so Sunday night's game at Minnesota is crucial. It's a homecoming for Minnesota native Race Thompson. Here's how to watch, with game time and new TV information, starting lineups, bios and lots of newsy nuggets. CLICK HERE
• GERONIMO'S HUSTLE PLAY: Indiana sophomore Jordan Geronimo has an off-the-charts energy level that leads to him doing ''Geronimo things,'' but nothing can top the basket he made Thursday, when he spiked the ball off the floor — and it went in. CLICK HERE
• PHOTO GALLERY: Our photographers had a great night on Thursday in capturing many great images from Indiana's win over Maryland. Take teh time to review the full photo gallery. CLICK HERE
• WHAT WOODSON SAID: The Hoosiers' 5-game losing streak is over thanks to a huge effort from point guard Xavier Johnson who put up 24 points in Indiana's 74-64 win over the Terrapins. Indiana head coach Mike Woodson addressed the media following the victory. Read his full transcript, or just watch the attached video of the entire press conference. CLICK HERE.
• WHAT JOHNSON AND THOMPSON SAID: Indiana senior guard Xavier Johnson led the Hoosiers to victory putting up 24 points in the 74-64 win over Maryland. Redshirt senior forward Race Thompson was second in line with 19 points and nine rebounds. Read their full press conference transcript, or just watch the attached video. CLICK HERE.
• JOHNSON'S NEAR-PERFECT NIGHT SNAPS LOSING STREAK: Indiana point guard Xavier Johnson has been struggling of late, but he snapped out of it in a big way on Thursday night, scoring a season-high 24 points in the Hoosiers' 74-64 win over Maryland. CLICK HERE.