Indiana will be without starting point guard Tayton Conerway for today’s Big Ten matchup against Wisconsin, as the junior guard has been ruled out due to illness. It’s a tough break for the Hoosiers, who are in the thick of the NCAA Tournament bubble conversation and need every edge they can get down the stretch.
Conerway was a late scratch, and his absence leaves a noticeable hole in Indiana’s backcourt. He’s been averaging 11.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game this season, but the stat line only tells part of the story.
Conerway is Indiana’s most dynamic guard when it comes to breaking down a defense-his ability to turn the corner off the dribble and get into the lane has been a key part of the Hoosiers’ offensive rhythm. Whether it's collapsing the defense to create kick-out opportunities or finishing through contact at the rim, he brings a level of pressure that opposing defenses have to respect.
He had recently returned from an ankle injury and played in Indiana’s Feb. 3 game against USC, giving the team a needed boost. But now, with illness sidelining him, Indiana will need to lean on veteran leadership and depth to fill the void.
Redshirt senior Conor Enright steps into the starting point guard role. Enright’s numbers-4.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game-don’t jump off the page, but he brings steady hands and a high basketball IQ to the floor.
He’s not the same type of explosive playmaker as Conerway, but he’s capable of organizing the offense and keeping things under control. He’ll be tasked with setting the tone early against a Wisconsin team that thrives on discipline and execution.
Indiana is expected to roll out a starting lineup of Enright, Lamar Wilkerson, Nick Dorn, Tucker DeVries, and Sam Alexis. That group will have its hands full against a Badgers squad that sits at 16-6 overall and 8-3 in the Big Ten. Like Indiana, Wisconsin is fighting to stay on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, making this a high-stakes matchup for both programs.
Tip-off is set for noon on Fox, and with Conerway sidelined, all eyes will be on how the Hoosiers adjust. Can Enright steady the ship?
Will someone else step up to create off the bounce? Those are the questions that could define Indiana’s afternoon-and perhaps their postseason hopes.