Indiana Hoosiers’ 77-71 win over Penn State on January 5, 2025, certainly felt like a victory for the record books. It showed resilience, it showcased some big individual performances, and it bolstered their conference standings. But beneath the surface, this game raises more questions about the future of IU basketball than it answers. Was this a sign of true progress, or just another instance of a team barely scraping by?
Key #1: The Defense – Good But Not Great
Indiana’s defense was solid enough to pull them through, but let’s be clear: it was hardly the dominant force expected from a team trying to become a Big Ten contender. Sure, the Hoosiers held Penn State to 71 points, but that’s not a huge accomplishment in a season where many high-scoring games have become the norm in college basketball. Penn State’s offense was efficient but not overwhelming, and the Hoosiers struggled to shut down some of their best shooters, especially in the second half.
This brings up a troubling point for Indiana fans: is this team truly elite defensively, or are they simply lucky to have faced a team that couldn’t capitalize on their defensive lapses? Indiana’s defense showed flashes of brilliance, but that doesn’t hide the fact that Penn State was able to score relatively easily in stretches. If this is the best defense IU can muster, they might find themselves in real trouble down the line, especially against higher-caliber offenses.
Key #2: Trayce Jackson-Davis – The Difference Maker
Trayce Jackson-Davis’ performance was arguably the most exciting part of Indiana’s victory. The star forward dominated, finishing with 28 points and 12 rebounds, proving once again that he’s the engine that drives this team. Without his contributions, there’s no question Indiana would have struggled to pull out the win. His ability to score in the paint and grab critical boards made a huge difference.
But this is where the controversy lies. Trayce Jackson-Davis is supposed to be the difference maker. His performance should be a given at this point. So why does it feel like the Hoosiers are so heavily reliant on his individual brilliance to get by? Shouldn’t a top-tier program be able to lean on more than just one player in critical moments? At times, it feels as if IU is a one-man show. If Jackson-Davis were to get into foul trouble or suffer an off-night, what then?
Key #3: The Supporting Cast – Struggling to Keep Up
While the Hoosiers pulled off a win, the supporting cast behind Trayce Jackson-Davis left much to be desired. Jalen Hood-Schifino’s performance was underwhelming, finishing with only 9 points on 3-of-9 shooting, and the bench didn’t provide the spark needed to push the Hoosiers to a more comfortable margin. Race Thompson and Xavier Johnson struggled to stay consistent, and the perimeter shooting remained a question mark.
This game raised more concerns about the lack of a reliable second option for Indiana. Hood-Schifino, expected to be a breakout star, has yet to live up to the hype, leaving Indiana fans asking whether he’ll ever be the steady contributor this team desperately needs. And with no clear No. 2 scorer to help Jackson-Davis, the Hoosiers may find themselves in deeper trouble when the games get tougher.
Highlights: A Close Call Against a Mediocre Opponent
Indiana did what it had to do, but at what cost? Despite the win, the Hoosiers once again showed they aren’t the polished, well-oiled machine they should be by now. This wasn’t a dominant victory, but rather one of survival. While Jackson-Davis’ performance will go down as one of the standout moments, there were still plenty of moments when the Hoosiers looked shaky, inefficient, and disjointed.
Penn State may not be a top-tier Big Ten team, and yet Indiana was forced to fight tooth-and-nail to secure the win. This doesn’t instill a great deal of confidence moving forward, especially when you look at the tough stretch of games IU will face later in the season. A win is a win, but this one was nothing to celebrate. Rather, it was another reminder that Indiana’s championship aspirations might be further off than some fans want to admit.
Final Stats
- Indiana (77): Trayce Jackson-Davis – 28 points, 12 rebounds; Jalen Hood-Schifino – 9 points, 4 assists; Race Thompson – 8 points, 6 rebounds.
- Penn State (71): Jalen Pickett – 20 points, 5 assists; Seth Lundy – 17 points, 8 rebounds; Andrew Funk – 12 points.
The Takeaway:
While Indiana certainly earned a hard-fought victory against Penn State, there’s little reason to believe they are on the fast track to greatness. In the Big Ten, where teams like Purdue, Michigan State, and Wisconsin loom large, the Hoosiers have serious questions to answer. Can Trayce Jackson-Davis carry this team alone? Will Hood-Schifino and the rest of the supporting cast ever step up? As things stand, Indiana may have survived, but they still need significant improvement if they are to truly compete for the Big Ten title or, more importantly, a national championship.