Point Spread: Interesting Trends in Indiana's Matchup With Eastern Illinois on Sunday

Indiana is back in action on Sunday, taking on Eastern Illinois at Assembly Hall. Here's the latest on the point spread, with a thorough look at how both teams have done vs. the number. Lots of interesting trends.

Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako (21) dribbles as Penn State Nittany Lions forward Zach Hicks (24) defends last year. / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana men's basketball in back in action on Sunday, hosting Eastern Illinois and welcoming a friendly face, former Hoosiers player Marty Simmons, who coaches the Panthers.

The game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall starts at Noon ET. And the Hoosiers are a hefty 27.5-point favorite according to the FanDuel.com gambling website. The over/under is 150.5.

Indiana won its opener over SIU-Edwardsville on Wednesday, but did not cover the point spread, which continues an interesting trend. The Hoosiers won but didn't cover in their first five non-Power 5 games a year ago, too.

We also have some relevant data on this matchup already, which is rare for the first week of the season. Eastern Illinois is in its fourth season under Simmons, who has a 29-67 record with the Panthers. They aren't very good — ranked No. 333 in the Kenpom.com rankings — and opened the season at Illinois and got drilled by 45 points. Illinois turned right around and played SIU-Edwardsville on Friday, and won by 32 points.

So purely by the numbers, this should be an easier test for the Hoosiers, who scored 80 points Wednesday despite 16 turnovers. Here's what we know so far.

Indiana by the numbers

• Indiana overall record: 1-0
  Indiana overall vs. spread: 0-1

• Indiana home record: 1-0
  Indiana home vs. spread: 0-1

• Indiana road record: 0-0
  Magic road vs spread: 0-0

• Indiana record as favorite: 1-0
  Indiana vs. spread as favorite: 0-1

• Indiana record as underdog: 0-0
  Indiana vs. spread as underdog: 0-0

• Indiana over total: 0
  Indiana under total: 1

What Indiana has done so far this season

• Nov. 6 (Wednesday) — Indiana beat Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 80-61 at home as a 27.5-point favorite (did not cover). The score (141) went under the 151.5 over/under total. Record: 1-0. To read the game story, CLICK HERE

What Eastern Illinois has done this season

• Nov. 4 (Monday) — Eastern Illinois lost to Illinois 112-67 on the road as a 24.5-point underdog (did not cover). The score (179) went over the 145.5 over/under total. Record: 0-1. To read the game story, CLICK HERE

• Nov. 6 (Wednesday) — Eastern Illinois beat Earlham College 97-61 at home. There was no line. Record: 1-1.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• HOW TO WATCH: Indiana continues the 2024-25 season on Sunday against Eastern Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. Here's how to watch, game time and TV info, announcers, the point spread and over/under, projected score, key stats, rankings and more. CLICK HERE

• MEET THE OPPONENT: Indiana hosts Eastern Illinois Sunday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Panthers are 1-1 at the start of their fourth season under former Indiana Hoosier Marty Simmons. CLICK HERE

• 3 THINGS TO LOOK FOR: No. 17 Indiana tries to improve to 2-0 against Marty Simmons-coached Eastern Illinois on Sunday. Here are three things to look for from the Hoosiers. CLICK HERE

• MGBAKO PUSHES INDIANA PAST SIU-E: Mackenzie Mgbako had a career night as No. 17 Indiana defeated Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Wednesday in the Hoosiers' season-opener. CLICK HERE.

• TODD GOLDEN COLUMN: Best first impression for Indiana was made by its returning players. CLICK HERE.