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Indiana Enters Big Ten Tournament as Betting Favorite

2023 Big Ten Conference Tournament Indiana Hoosiers

On January 11, when the Indiana Hoosiers lost to the Penn State Nittany Lions, the season was considered lost.  Indiana had a record of 10-6 and was considered doubtful for the NCAA Tournament.  Instead, the Hoosiers rallied to win ten of their next 14 games.  And that included quality victories over the Purdue Boilermakers (twice), Illinois Fighting Illini (twice), Michigan Wolverines, and Rutgers Scarlet Knights.  However, the Hoosiers still have their inconsistent March Madness betting moments.  Indiana flopped badly last Tuesday in a 90-68 home loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes.  That loss was a warning to the betting public.

2023 Big Ten Conference Tournament Indiana Hoosiers

When:  Friday, March 10, 2023, Time TBD

Where:  United Center, Chicago, Illinois

TV:  Big Ten Network

CashBet Odds:  Indiana +550 to win the Big Ten Tournament    

Indiana Hoosiers Big Ten Tournament CashBet Wagering Analysis  

Last week Indiana was terrible in a home loss to Iowa but great in a home-court win over Michigan.  Hence, the hesitancy of best sportsbook online gamblers to get too attached to IU.  Of major concern is that the Hoosiers did not show a profit in the regular season.

First, the Hoosiers will face the winner of Thursday’s game between the Maryland Terrapins and the winner of Wednesday’s game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Nebraska Cornhuskers.  Tipoff time at United Center in Chicago, IL, is TBD on Friday night, with television coverage on BTN.

Indiana Finishes Strong to Spark March Madness Hopes

Overall, the Indiana Hoosiers are 21-10 straight up, 14-16-1 against the spread, and 18-12 over/under the total.  Indiana has national rankings of 102nd for scoring offense, 12th for field goal percentage, 28th for 3-point field goal percentage, 197th for free throw percentage, and 103rd for offensive rebounding.  While on defense, Indiana has national rankings of 131st for scoring defense, 49th for field goal percentage permitted, 123rd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 176th for defensive rebounding.

Indiana failed to cover five of its final six games.  Also, the Hoosiers went over the

2023 March Madness Betting total in their final four games.  Trayce Jackson Davis leads Indiana with 20.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest.  

Last Sunday, Trayce Jackson-Davis added to his growing Indiana legacy by finishing with 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.  He combined with Race Thompson and Miller Kopp to score all of Indiana’s overtime points.  As a result, the 15th-ranked Hoosiers rallied to beat Michigan 75-73.  The victory gives the Hoosiers a double-bye into Friday’s Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.

However, Indiana wouldn’t be there without Jackson-Davis.  Consider that he is the first player in school history with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.  Despite announcing this would be his final bet on NCAA basketball college season, fans chanted, “one more year.”

But it was not an easy day for Indiana.  Following the Hoosiers blowing a 14-point first-half lead.  In turn, Jackson-Davis needed help to rally Indiana from a 12-point deficit in the final 12 1/2 minutes of regulation.  And it was an entire 2023 March Madness Betting team effort with everyone pitching in.

Jalen Hood-Schifino’s 3-pointer with a minute left in regulation finally tied the score at 69.  Subsequently, Thompson then grabbed Hunter Dickinson’s errant 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds to go.  Following a timeout, he inbounded the ball to Jackson-Davis, whose half-court heave barely bounced out.

Thompson broke the tie on his first shot in overtime.  And then Jackson-Davis followed that with two free throws.  Additionally, Kopp knocked down a long jumper with his foot on the 3-point line to make it 75-69 with 2:22 left.

Indiana didn’t score again.  Yet all Michigan could muster was one three-pointer and a single free throw with six seconds to go.  Finally, the Hoosiers forced a turnover on Michigan’s final possession to seal the win.

Indiana head coach Mike Woodson was under fire in the first half of the season.  But it is a testament to his ability how the Hoosiers rallied for a strong second half.

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