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Hoosiers Face Gauntlet: Tough Stretch Ahead
8 Jan
Summary
- Indiana Hoosiers face a challenging schedule with five ranked opponents.
- Maryland Terrapins struggling, losing six of their last eight games.
- Key player Pharrel Payne's absence impacts Maryland's interior presence.
Indiana's men's basketball team, under first-year coach Darian DeVries, has begun the season with an 11-3 record. However, the Hoosiers are now entering a demanding stretch of their schedule. Over the next three weeks, five of their seven games will be against currently ranked opponents, presenting a significant challenge to their early success.
The team's immediate focus is on their upcoming game against Maryland on Wednesday. Despite Maryland's current struggles, including a six-loss streak in their last eight games and a season-low scoring output in their recent defeat to Oregon, Indiana cannot afford to overlook them. The Terrapins are also dealing with the absence of their leading scorer and rebounder, Pharrel Payne, impacting their inside game.
Coach DeVries stressed the importance of concentrating on one game at a time, stating, "Every night it's a rock fight. We know that. We have to be ready for that." Following their victory over Washington, where balanced scoring emerged due to defensive strategies against their top scorers, the Hoosiers are preparing for the tough road ahead.
