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Game Preview Indiana Hoosiers @ Lindenwood Lions
The Indiana Hoosiers (4-0) will look to build on a solid start to the season when they host the Lindenwood Lions (2-3) on Thursday evening in Bloomington. Indiana has begun the campaign with wins but has also flagged a few issues they want to correct, particularly on offense and defensive consistency. The Lions, meanwhile, are still in search of consistency and squad identity as they navigate a non-conference stretch.
Indiana most recently eked out a 69-61 home victory over Incarnate Word despite poor shooting from the field (30 of 53), dismal three-point efficiency (5 of 24) and shaky free-throw execution (18 of 26). Indiana forward Tucker DeVries described it as a learning moment: “I think at the end of the day it’s important to still find a way to win games when shots aren’t falling.” His coach, Darian DeVries, reiterated the message: the Hoosiers must be a “very spirited, physical, tough-minded group for 40 minutes every night.”
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On the stat sheet, Indiana has five players averaging double figures to begin the year. Lamar Wilkerson leads the way at 18.8 points per game (48% shooting). Tucker DeVries is next at 17.8 points and a team-best 6.5 rebounds per game. Sam Alexis (12.3), Tayton Conerway (12.0) and Reed Bailey (11.8) all contribute secondary scoring.
Lindenwood is led by Jadis Jones (17.3 ppg), Dontrez Williams (12.7), and Milos Nenadic (12.4). The Lions are coming off a 74-65 loss at Alabama A&M, following an 83-77 victory over Charleston Southern. Head coach Kyle Gerdeman has said his squad’s challenging non-conference schedule is intended to build toughness and execution.
This game presents a mismatch in talent, depth and recent form. Indiana must address its still-inconsistent shooting and energy to avoid a letdown, while Lindenwood must show that it can string together solid performances against a power-conference opponent. For bettors, it’s worth referencing the NCAAB picks archive and team-profiles on the NCAAB teams hub to view how these trends align.
Odds and Key Information
- Venue: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN
- Date/Time: Thursday evening (local)
- Spread: Indiana – ? (open markets)
- Total: — (open markets)
- Moneyline: — (open markets)
- Note: Early season non-conference line but expectation is Indiana favored given form & roster.
Indiana Hoosiers Outlook
Indiana’s undefeated start masks some vulnerability. Although they’re 4-0, the Hoosiers shot poorly in their latest outing and were less dominant than the boxscore might suggest. Their rebounding and scoring balance are encouraging, but their reliance on perimeter and mid-range shooting means rough nights could expose them.
Coach Darian DeVries’ comments suggest the emphasis is shifting to toughness, physicality and play-making over results at this stage. The fact that five players are already averaging double figures speaks to depth and offensive flexibility. Wilkerson’s efficiency stands out, and the frontcourt presence of DeVries and Alexis give the Hoosiers a mix of scoring and rebounding.
Defensively, Indiana must be more consistent. The opponent’s freedom to shoot from deep and generate second-chance points in recent games has raised flags. Against a lesser opponent like Lindenwood, Indiana will want to control tempo, convert more free-throws and improve three-point conversion to avoid extended scoring droughts. Their schedule allows them this game as a corrective opportunity before the Big Ten grind begins in earnest.
Lindenwood Lions Outlook
Lindenwood remains an emerging program in transition, now competing at the Division I level under Coach Kyle Gerdeman. Their early record reflects both promise and inexperience. While they have capable scorers in Jones, Williams and Nenadic, the consistency of execution particularly in defense and late-game situations is uneven.
The loss at Alabama A&M exposed some of those issues: while they were competitive, they were unable to close the gap in the final minutes. Lindenwood’s aggressive intent is clear—they play with pace and ambition—but controlling tempo against an opponent like Indiana will be challenging. They will need to rebound, limit turnovers and convert at a high rate from the field to stay close.
For bettors, Lindenwood offers potential value as an underdog with upside, but the gap in roster depth and quality suggests their role is more functional: use the game for experience, identify strengths, and avoid collapse. The game is less about expectation of victory, more about development and measuring against a quality opponent.
Key Matchup Table
| Category | Edge |
|---|---|
| Depth & Scoring Balance | Indiana |
| Shooting Consistency | Indiana |
| Experience & Game Speed | Indiana |
| Underdog Motivation & Pace | Lindenwood |
Betting Trends
- Indiana is 4-0 to start the season, though their margin of victory has varied and their efficiency has dipped in some outings.
- Five Indiana players average double figures—one of the better multi-scorer starts in the country.
- Indiana’s latest game: 30 of 53 FG shooting, 5 of 24 from three, 18 of 26 from the line. A “win despite poor shooting” is sometimes a recipe for a follow-up letdown.
- Lindenwood’s early schedule is difficult for a transitional program; they have shown flashes but remain prone to late collapse.
- Early non-conference lines often compress spread margins for powerhouse-vs-mid-major matchups; line movement may favour Indiana once it opens.
- For props: Indiana’s free-throw attempts and points off turnovers may offer value given Lindenwood’s defensive miss-match.
The Lean
Indiana has too many structural advantages for this to be a risky pick. While their shooting recently dipped, their depth, talent and home environment give them control. I expect them to impose their pace, dominate inside and force Lindenwood into uncomfortable tempo. Indiana should cover a reasonable spread. On the total, given Indiana’s recent struggles with shooting, tempo may slow down; the under could be considered if the number opens tight.
Projected Score: Indiana 82, Lindenwood 60
Spread Lean: Indiana – 8.5 (assuming open market)
Total Lean: Under 140
Why You Need Expert Picks
In early-season NCAAB matchups, particularly ones involving a strong program vs a developing mid-major, nuances matter: line-movement, injury updates, pace differentials, and shooting variance all shift value quickly. The analysts on the Handicappers Leaderboard at ScoresAndStats bring deeper modeling, historical matchup breakdowns and in-season trend tracking. Accessing the NCAAB picks page alongside the broader expert betting guide (while NBA-focused) helps sharpen understanding of how to interpret these games. University-level basketball offers volatility, but also opportunity for those who follow the data.
