GAME NOTES: The 11th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers are heavily favored at home today against a group of Northwestern Wildcats who have yet to record a Big Ten Conference victory. Northwestern is 7-11 overall and 0-7 in the league standings. Fortunately for the Wildcats, they were able to take a break from conference play on Wednesday, and they defeated Texas-Pan American by a 68-59 final. The victory halted a three-game slide for Northwestern, which has suffered all seven of its Big Ten losses by double figures. Indiana suffered its first conference loss on Thursday by a score of 62-49 to No. 13 Wisconsin. The Hoosiers were also defeated in their most recent home game by UConn, 68-63, halting their 13-game overall and 29-game home winning streaks. Still, their 6-1 Big Ten record is their best since 2001-02, and the 17-3 overall mark is impressive as well. Indiana owns a commanding 105-43 series lead over Northwestern, including a 69-65 victory over the Wildcats in the most recent meeting last season. Most notably, the Hoosiers are 31-0 against Northwestern at Assembly Hall.

Kevin Coble was outstanding for Northwestern in the much-needed win over Texas Pan-American on Wednesday, as the forward poured in 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the floor. Michael Thompson pitched in 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Wildcats, who connected on 53.3 percent of their field goal attempts and 16-of-20 free throws. A 32-26 rebounding edge also helped the cause. Overall this season, however, Northwestern is being outrebounded by over 10 boards per contest. Coble is scoring a team-high 16.6 ppg, and Craig Moore adds 12.7 ppg to the mix. As for Thompson, he is netting 12.6 ppg to go with 4.6 apg. Clearly, this team does not possess the level of talent necessary to be competitive in the Big Ten.

There aren't too many guard/forward combos as dynamic as Indiana's duo of Eric Gordon and D.J. White, both of whom continue to put up outstanding numbers. Gordon, a sensational freshman guard, is posting 21.4 ppg despite some recent struggles. As for White, the team's top frontcourt performer, he is contributing 17.4 ppg and 10.6 rpg to go along with 35 blocks. Jordan Crawford is netting 10.8 ppg, and Armon Bassett checks in with 10.3 ppg. Indiana is generating 77.1 ppg while limiting the opposition to 62.1 ppg on 39.5 percent shooting from the floor. In the ugly loss to Wisconsin on Thursday, Indiana only connected on 33.3 percent of its field goal attempts, including 3-of-21 from three-point range. The team finished with eight assists against 13 turnovers and was outscored 19-10 from the foul line. White racked up 22 points and 17 rebounds in defeat, while Gordon tallied 16 points. Unfortunately, the rest of the team combined for only 11 points.

What is the perfect remedy for a team that has lost two straight? In a word, Northwestern. The Hoosiers will bounce back strong at the expense of the Wildcats today.