Indiana Hoosiers vs Chattanooga Mocs Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

Indiana Looks to Regain Identity Against Chattanooga

Indiana will aim to return to its roots of tough defense and strong inside play when the Hoosiers host Chattanooga on Saturday in Bloomington.

Focus on Fundamentals

After a disappointing 85-68 loss to Nebraska on Dec. 13, Indiana coach Mike Woodson emphasized the need for his team to execute on both ends of the court, especially defensively. The Cornhuskers shot an eye-popping 61.2 percent from the field, while the Hoosiers struggled with their shot selection, hoisting a season-high 35 3-pointers but connecting on only eight.

“We have to be better defensively,” Woodson said. “I know defense wins, especially when you’re not making shots. You have to establish yourself from a defensive standpoint. We have to get that fixed.”

Indiana (8-3) is built to play inside-out basketball, with a focus on feeding its post players. However, that strength was negated against Nebraska, leaving Woodson determined to reestablish his team’s identity.

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Chattanooga’s Challenge

Chattanooga (8-4) comes into the game riding a stretch of eight wins in its past nine games, though many of those victories came against lower-tier competition. The Mocs most recently dismantled NAIA opponent Tennessee Wesleyan 99-52 on Wednesday, with Honor Huff leading the way with 20 points on six 3-pointers.

Mocs coach Dan Earl praised his team’s ball movement in the win. “I thought we really shared the ball well with 25 assists,” Earl said. “We made some shots and did some pretty good things.”

Despite their recent success, Chattanooga has struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 31.3 percent on 3-pointers this season (278th in Division I). Indiana will likely look to capitalize on this weakness by focusing on interior defense and forcing the Mocs into contested outside shots.

Key Matchups

1. Indiana’s Post Play vs. Chattanooga’s Defense
   The Hoosiers will look to dominate in the paint, leveraging their size and strength against a Chattanooga team that has relied on 2-point efficiency to fuel its offense.
2. Honor Huff vs. Indiana’s Perimeter Defense
   Huff’s 3-point shooting can ignite Chattanooga’s offense, but Indiana’s defenders will aim to close out quickly and disrupt his rhythm.
3. Indiana’s Defense vs. Its Own Consistency
   The Hoosiers’ ability to tighten up defensively after their struggles at Nebraska will be critical in dictating the game’s tempo and outcome.

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Historical Context

Indiana holds a 3-0 record in the all-time series with Chattanooga, including a dominant 99-74 victory in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament.

What’s at Stake

For Indiana, this game offers a chance to fine-tune its approach and regain confidence before diving deeper into Big Ten play. Meanwhile, Chattanooga will look to prove its recent success isn’t limited to weaker competition by testing itself against a high-major opponent.

The clash sets up as a litmus test for both programs, with Indiana aiming to solidify its strengths and Chattanooga seeking to rise to the occasion.