Wed Nov 06 23:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Indiana Hoosiers Tip Off Season Against SIU Edwardsville

**BLOOMINGTON, IN -** The Indiana Hoosiers will begin their 2024-25 season on Wednesday night, hosting the SIU Edwardsville Cougars at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The game, which tips off at 8 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on BTN.

This is the third meeting between the two programs, with Indiana winning the previous two encounters in 2010 and 2016. The Cougars, picked to finish third in the Ohio Valley Conference, are led by head coach Brian Barone, a former assistant under Tom Crean at Indiana.

SIU Edwardsville, ranked 321st nationally by KenPom and Bart Torvik, will rely on its upperclassmen guards, led by Ray’Sean Taylor, a fifth-year guard who averaged 13.6 points last season.

The Cougars also feature Brian Taylor II, a junior guard, and Desmond Polk, a fifth-year guard. They have added several junior college transfers to bolster their roster, including Ring Malith and Myles Thompson from Barton Community College, as well as Bradley transfer Kyle Thomas.

Indiana, looking to improve upon their rebounding struggles from last season, will be focused on establishing a strong presence on the boards against SIU Edwardsville. Coach Mike Woodson is also emphasizing the importance of a fast start, avoiding the sluggish performances that hampered the Hoosiers in the early stages of last season.

With a significant talent advantage, Indiana is projected to win comfortably, with KenPom predicting a 24-point victory. This game is one of two “buy games” to open the season for the Hoosiers before they face a more formidable opponent in South Carolina on November 16th.

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