Indiana Falters Late Again, Falls Hard to Michigan State in 81-60 Defeat
Indiana’s trip to East Lansing ended with more than just a loss-it exposed familiar cracks that continue to widen as Big Ten play heats up. The Hoosiers were run out of the Breslin Center on Tuesday night, suffering their first 20-point defeat of the season in an 81-60 loss to Michigan State. Now sitting at 12-5 overall and 3-3 in the conference, Indiana finds itself at a crossroads, with mounting issues that go beyond just cold shooting or a tough road environment.
Let’s break down five key takeaways from a game that got away from the Hoosiers-fast.
Second-Half Struggles Continue to Haunt Indiana
This wasn’t just a bad second half-it was another chapter in a troubling trend.
Indiana went into halftime trailing by seven, but came out with a burst of energy, tying the game at 51 and again at 53. Then the wheels came off. Over the final 11-plus minutes, Michigan State outscored Indiana 28-7, turning a close contest into a blowout.
This isn’t a one-off. In four of Indiana’s five losses this season, the Hoosiers have either led at halftime or been tied in the second half-only to fade down the stretch.
At Minnesota, they led by eight early and were tied at the break before losing by nine. Against Kentucky, they led by nine in the first half and seven at halftime, but still lost by double digits.
And at home versus Nebraska, they held a 16-point lead in the second half before surrendering it all in a 83-77 loss.
Tuesday night followed the same script. Indiana showed flashes, but when the game demanded execution and composure, the Hoosiers unraveled. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team with experienced players expected to lead in high-pressure moments.
Turnovers Turn Into Easy Points for the Spartans
Indiana’s turnover issues didn’t just stall their offense-they lit a fire under Michigan State’s.
The Hoosiers coughed it up 14 times, and the Spartans made them pay, converting those mistakes into 29 points. That’s the kind of disparity that flips a game on its head. Michigan State also dominated the fast break, outscoring Indiana 25-12 in transition.
That 21.6% turnover rate marked Indiana’s third-worst of the season, and it’s not just about the number-it’s about the timing and the type. Many were live-ball giveaways, the kind that lead directly to runouts and easy buckets. Against a team like Michigan State, which thrives in transition, that’s a recipe for disaster.
Just days earlier, Indiana turned it over at a similar clip against Nebraska, but the Huskers only managed 11 points off those miscues. Michigan State? Far more ruthless.
Frontcourt Fails to Match Michigan State’s Physicality
Indiana’s big men had their hands full-and they didn’t have many answers.
Reed Bailey and Sam Alexis, tasked with anchoring the frontcourt, struggled to hold their own against a more physical and polished Michigan State rotation. Bailey fouled out after 18 minutes, finishing with five points, seven rebounds, and four turnovers. Alexis, who started at the five, had six points in 16 minutes but didn’t grab a single rebound.
That duo combined for just 11 points and seven boards, while Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper racked up 23 points and 17 rebounds on the other end.
The Spartans dominated the glass, grabbing nearly half of their own misses (48.1% offensive rebounding rate) and turning those second chances into 11 points. Through six conference games, Indiana ranks 11th in the Big Ten in defensive rebounding percentage and dead last in opponent two-point field goal percentage (57.9%). That’s not a stat that wins you games in the Big Ten.
Tucker DeVries’ Shooting Slump Drags On
Indiana’s offense is built around perimeter shooting, but right now, only one shooter is consistently delivering.
Lamar Wilkerson continues to be a bright spot, shooting over 42% from deep on the season and nearly 47% in conference play. But without a reliable second option, defenses are locking in on Wilkerson-and Tucker DeVries hasn’t been able to make them pay.
DeVries went 1-for-7 from beyond the arc on Tuesday, continuing a cold streak that’s now stretched deep into Big Ten play. He’s hit just 24.4% of his threes in conference games (10-for-41), and his season mark sits at 32.9% (46-for-140).
It’s not just about numbers-it’s about impact. When DeVries isn’t knocking down shots, Indiana’s spacing suffers, ball movement stalls, and scoring options dry up. The Hoosiers need him to find his rhythm soon if they want to stay competitive in a crowded Big Ten race.
Jeremy Fears Jr. Takes Over on Both Ends
Sometimes, it’s just about the best player on the floor-and on Tuesday, that was Jeremy Fears Jr.
The Michigan State point guard put on a clinic, scoring 19 points in just 16 first-half minutes while shooting 6-for-8 from both the field and the free-throw line. He set the tone early, attacking the paint and drawing fouls, and gave the Spartans a seven-point cushion at the break.
Then he shifted gears in the second half, becoming the primary facilitator. In 17 second-half minutes, Fears dished out seven assists and orchestrated the Spartans’ offense with poise and precision. Michigan State was +13 with him on the floor after halftime.
His final line: 23 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, two steals, and six fouls drawn in 33 minutes. That’s the kind of all-around performance that changes games-and Indiana had no answer.
Looking Ahead
This one stings-not just because of the margin, but because of the pattern. Indiana has shown it can compete with good teams, but it hasn’t shown it can close. The second-half fades, the turnover troubles, the frontcourt concerns, and the shooting inconsistency are all fixable-but they’re also persistent.
With the Big Ten schedule only getting tougher, Indiana needs more than flashes. It needs answers. And fast.