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In 2014, the Wolverines beat a banged-up Michigan State team twice en route to a Big Ten title. Last season, it was Michigan that had major injury problems and lost twice to the Spartans. "I think there's been some bizarre injuries - and more than one," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. Continue to Article

February 05, 2016 6:48:pm EST

Indiana finally got the laugher on the road in Big Ten play that had eluded it through its first four such games. After Saturday night's contest at Penn State, the 22nd-ranked Hoosiers host No. 5 Iowa and play at 10th-ranked Michigan State next week in contests that figure to go a long way toward determining their chances at a regular-season title. Early on in Indiana's 80-67 win over Michigan on Tuesday, it looked like the Hoosiers (19-4, 9-1) were in for their fifth tight conference road game. Continue to Article

February 05, 2016 12:18:pm EST

It started innocently enough with a deft spin move and reverse layup from center Thomas Bryant. Then came a rather unremarkable driving layup from forward Collin Hartman two possessions later. Really, there weren't any signs Indiana was poised to bury Michigan before halftime Tuesday night until the avalanche had already begun to pick up momentum. The Hoosiers scored a remarkable 25 straight points over the final nine minutes of the first half, transforming a narrow four-point deficit into decisive 21-point lead. They extended the streak to 28 straight points just after halftime, enabling them to coast to an 80-67 road victory over the Wolverines. The gory details of Indiana's surge are probably enough to make Michigan fans bury their faces in their foam fingers.  Seven Indiana players scored at least one basket led by seven points from forward Troy Williams and six from point guard Yogi Ferrell. The Hoosiers combined for 11-for-14 shooting, none more memorable than this alley-oop. Part of the 25-0 run. https://t.co/1wMkRZ3idm — Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) February 3, 2016 A scoring blitz like that is typical of Indiana, but the defense the Hoosiers played was the most encouraging sign. They held Michigan without a point for 10 minutes, harassing the Wolverines into 13 straight missed shots, three errant free throws and three turnovers during that stretch.  Indiana's victory was an important one after the Hoosiers took a step backward last week with a loss at Wisconsin and a closer-than-anticipated victory over hapless Minnesota. This win showed that Indiana truly has made strides defensively in recent weeks even if its 9-1 Big Ten record has been aided by not having to play Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State or Purdue yet. Before the Wisconsin loss, Indiana had yet to allow a Big Ten opponent to score more than 1.0 points per possession. The Hoosiers' back-loaded schedule clearly was a factor in that, but so was increased playing time for solid perimeter defenders Robert Johnson and OG Anunoby in the wake of James Blackmon's season-ending injury. As gifted a scorer as Blackmon is, it's hard to imagine Indiana holding an opponent scoreless for 10 minutes with him on the floor. The Hoosiers benefited defensively having Anunoby to guard Michigan's Zak Irvin and they still had plenty of weapons on the perimeter to replicate Blackmon's offensive contributions. Exciting as that surge was for every Indiana player, the Hoosier who was most pleased had to be forward Max Bielfeldt. The former Michigan player transferred to Indiana this offseason after Wolverines coach John Beilein decided not to renew his scholarship for a fifth season. You could say that one was a little extra sweet. Proud of everyone for stepping up. Thanks to all the fans for showing me love too! — Max Bielfeldt (@MaxBielfeldt) February 3, 2016 - - - - - - - Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @JeffEisenberg Continue to Article

February 03, 2016 2:15:am EST

Extended absences from pivotal players haven't prevented Indiana or Michigan from contending in the challenging Big Ten. Both will have that resiliency further tested when the resurgent Wolverines host the No. 22 Hoosiers on Tuesday night. Indiana (18-4, 8-1) enters this key matchup tied with fifth-ranked Iowa for first in the conference despite losing James Blackmon Jr. to a season-ending knee injury just prior to the league opener. Continue to Article

February 01, 2016 8:35:pm EST

Thomas Bryant scored a career-high 23 points Saturday to help No. 19 Indiana hang on for a 74-68 victory over Minnesota. Minnesota (6-16, 0-10) lost its 11th straight despite getting 21 points apiece from Nate Mason and Kevin Dorsey, who led the comeback. The Golden Gophers took a 67-66 lead with 3:54 to go, but Indiana finished the game on an 8-1 run to seal the win. Continue to Article

January 30, 2016 4:51:pm EST