Northwestern State Demons
Current record: 2-1
Current RPI: 166
Current Sagarin: 202
Current Pomeroy: 206
2008-09 record: 11-20 (3-13 in Southland Conference)
2008-09 RPI: 311
2008-09 Sagarin: 317
2008-09 Pomeroy: 318
Pomeroy scouting report
Series: IU leads 1-0
TV:3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
Indiana tries to recover from its lost weekend in Puerto Rico by playing last season's opening-game opponent, Northwestern State. In Tom Crean's first game as IU's coach, the Hoosiers defeated NSU 83-65. Here's a link to my recap of last year's game. Last year, NSU shot poorly and IU forced 30 turnovers, a number that would have made the 2008-09 Hoosier offense blush. As I noted in last year's preview, Big Ten fans will best remember the Demons for their upset of Iowa in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Still, NSU has been struggling since then, and finished 11-20 last year.
Devin Jones, who averaged 9.9 points per game last season, is NSU's leading returning scorer. Junior college transfer Devon Baker, thanks to 47 percent shooting from behind the arc, leads the Demons at 15.3 points per game, followed by Jones. As always, the Demons are one of the fastest-paced teams in the country, averaging 77.3 possessions per game, and given IU's preferred pace, expect a game in the 80s. They are among the nation's leaders in three point percentage but are poor defensively and turn the ball over a lot. NSU lost by 21 in its only game against decent competition (Texas Tech). Still, given recent performance, IU cannot overlook any team, but hopefully the Hoosiers will progress today.