LIVE BLOG: Follow Indiana's Game Against Auburn in Atlanta

Indiana looks to improve on its 7-1 record Saturday at 2 p.m. ET against the Auburn Tigers at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Welcome to our live blog, where we'll share live updates, highlights and thoughts on the game from press row.

Jack Ankony | Dec 9, 2023

LIVE BLOG: Follow Indiana's Game Against Auburn in Atlanta /

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Indiana Hoosiers

ATLANTA, Ga. – Indiana has another marquee nonconference game on the slate, this time facing the Auburn Tigers on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET inside State Farm Arena, the home of the Atlanta Hawks.

Welcome to our live blog, where we'll share live updates, highlights and thoughts on the game from press row.

4:22 p.m. – Final: Auburn 104, Indiana 76. Next up, Indiana hosts No. 2 Kansas.

4:16 p.m. – IU now trailing Auburn 101-71. That's the most points in regulation Indiana has given up under Mike Woodson. Indiana allowed 112 at Syracuse in 2021-22, but that game went to double-overtime. The previous high was 91 at Iowa last season.

4:03 p.m. – IU trailing Auburn 85-64 with 6:35 left. It sure feels like this one is over. Indiana definitely looks discouraged, frustrated, upset, whatever you want to call it. Hoosiers shooting 41.3% and on the verge of allowing 100 points. Aside from the first seven minutes, it's been an abysmal performance.

3:50 p.m. – The 3-point line continues to be a glaring weakness for Indiana on both sides. The Hoosiers are just 4-for-14 today, while Auburn is 11-for-24. It's almost impossible to win when you get outscored by 21 points from beyond the arc. IU trails 78-54 with 9:21 to play.

3:45 p.m. – IU trails Auburn 68-50 at the under-12 timeout. After a hot offensive start, making four 3-pointers in the first four minutes, Indiana hasn't made one since. Ware entered the game shooting 63.9%, but he's 2-for-8 today.

3:42 p.m. – Gunn checks in for Cupps, who's played more minutes than any Hoosier today. The freshman has had to shoulder a ton today without Johnson.

3:40 p.m. – Ware looks a bit shaken up after that last foul. He took a moment to collect himself before the free throws. Walker checks in.

3:37 p.m. – Baker-Mazara knocks down a three from the top of the key on a well-executed set from Auburn. Cupps can't answer on the other end. And now Mgbako has picked up his third foul. Banks replaces him as IU trails by 16.

3:32 p.m. – IU trails 60-46 at the under-16 timeout. Hoosiers went on an 8-0 run, but another Jaylin Williams' 3-pointer pushed it back to a 14-point lead. Auburn is 7-for-19 from beyond the arc so far today, and Indiana lost Williams on that one.

3:28 p.m. – Indiana on an 8-0 run now with back-to-back layups from Reneau. He and Auburn's Johni Broome exchanged some words after. It's been a pretty physical and chippy game.

3:25 p.m. – Three fouls on Cupps, but he'll stay in the game. Indiana doesn't have much of a choice since Johnson is out.

3:23 p.m. – Galloway starts the second half with a floater. He played just eight minutes in the first half.

3:08 p.m. – Half: Auburn 52, Indiana 34. Indiana led this game 22-10, believe it or not, but Auburn controlled every aspect of the last 12 minutes. Galloway and Gunn's foul trouble really hurt an already thin backcourt attempting to handle Auburn's pressure.

3:04 p.m. – Denver Jones 3-pointer extends Auburn's lead to 15. IU just can't keep up with this pace or physicality.

3:02 p.m. – Cupps goes 1-for-2 at the line, which represents the first missed free throw of his career. He looks tired, to be honest. He's had to work so hard to handle this Auburn pressure without Xavier Johnson's help. Galloway has only played eight minutes due to foul trouble.

2:55 p.m. – IU foul trouble is growing. Gunn 3, Galloway 2, Banks 2, Cupps 2 with 3:59 left in the half.

2:52 p.m. – Auburn hasn't taken total control of this game. Gunn called for a foul for pushing off against Auburn's press. Tigers get an easy layup right after. IU once led this game by 12, but now trails 39-27.

2:50 p.m. – Indiana can't stop the bleeding right now. Auburn is on a 14-1 run and will have an and-one free throw on the other end of a timeout. No field goals for the Hoosiers in the last 5:34 after a hot start.

2:48 p.m. – Jaylin Williams flies in for a put-back dunk, extending Auburn's lead to 32-26. That's a 12-0 run for Auburn. Indiana hasn't scored in almost five minutes.

2:45 p.m. – Reneau and Ware entered the game shooting over 60%, but they're a combined 3-for-12 today.

2:44 p.m. – Cupps picked up his second foul diving for a loose ball. He'll stay in the game, but needs to be careful the rest of the half. K.D. Johnson's free throws give Auburn a 28-26 lead. IU hasn't scored in about three minutes.

2:37 p.m. – Two fouls on Kaleb Banks and Trey Galloway now. We'll see how much either of them play the rest of the half. Tie game now 26-26. IU's lead was once 22-10, but the Hoosiers haven't scored in about two minutes. Anthony Leal in the game now.

2:34 p.m. – Payton Sparks missed a point-blank layup in transition. That just can't happen. As a result, Holloway was able to push the ball against an Indiana defense that wasn't set and get a layup. IU's lead is down to 26-24.

2:30 p.m. – Strong drive from Anthony Walker. He just ripped past his defender and got to the rim easily. The Miami transfer has been a good addition for Indiana this year. Always seems to bring energy off the bench. IU leads 24-20.

2:28 p.m. – As expected, it's been a really physical game so far. Auburn wants to pressure the ball relentlessly and force the officials to call fouls. They won't call all of them.

2:25 p.m. – Back-to-back threes from Jaylin Williams and Denver Jones cuts Indiana's lead to 22-16 with about 12 minutes to play. Indiana's lead grew to as much as 12, but Auburn responded with a quick 6-0 run.

2:22 p.m. – Cupps makes a tough shot over Auburn center Dylan Cardwell. The freshman point guard has five early points, already tying his season high. Reneau follows it up with a layup through traffic.

2:20 p.m. – Gunn first off the bench for Indiana, replacing Galloway. IU leads 16-8.

2:18 p.m. – Mgbako was guarding Chad Baker-Mazara very closely, and Baker-Mazara ripped threw and caught his elbow on Mgbako's chin. Mgbako called for a foul.

2:13 p.m. – IU is off to its hottest start of the season, taking a 14-6 lead at the under-16 timeout. Cupps, Ware and Mgbako (two) have already made 3-pointers.

2:11 p.m. – Mgbako drains another 3. That's four in total so far, tying a single-game record for Indiana this season.

2:09 p.m. – Indiana hasn't been known to take or make many 3-pointers, but they've got three early on from Cupps, Ware and Mgbako. Indiana's single-game high for 3-pointers made this year is three. IU leads 9-6.

2:07 p.m. – Nice skip pass from Ware to Cupps for a 3-pointer. Aden Holloway answers with a 3 of his own on the other end. Exciting start.

2:04 p.m. – Starters for Indiana: Gabe Cupps, Trey Galloway, Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau and Kel'el Ware. It's going to be a great atmosphere today. Both teams are well represented by their fans, who are already fired up during warmups.

1:54 p.m. – Three things to watch in today's game: 1) Big-man matchup between Kel'el Ware and Johni Broome. Both players lead their teams in scoring and rebounding. 2) Free throw shooting. Indiana pounds the ball inside and gets to the line a lot. Auburn fouls a lot. 3) How does Gabe Cupps handle Auburn's defensive pressure? The freshman is starting his third game at point guard, as Xavier Johnson remains out. Auburn's pressure is relentless.

1:42 p.m. – Indiana has taken the court for warmups, but Xavier Johnson is still wearing a walking boot. He won't play today. After being listed as questionable, Malik Reneau, Kel'el Ware, Anthony Walker and CJ Gunn are in uniform for warmups. It looks like they'll play, but we'll have to wait for tipoff to know for sure.

12:15 p.m. – Several names popped up unexpectedly on Indiana's pregame availability report. Five Hoosiers are questionable: Kel'el Ware, Xavier Johnson, Malik Reneau, CJ Gunn and Anthony Walker. The only Hoosier listed out is Jakai Newton, who hasn't played this year. Xavier Johnson has missed the last two games, wins over Maryland and Michigan.

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