IU Indy Eyes Sixth Win, Fort Wayne Seeks Consistency in Horizon League Clash
IU Indy Jaguars vs. Fort Wayne Mastodons: Horizon League Showdown for Momentum
On Wednesday evening, the IU Indy Jaguars (5-6, 5-3 ATS, 4-4 O/U) will meet the Fort Wayne Mastodons (6-4, 6-3 ATS, 6-3 O/U) in a critical Horizon League matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. This contest will see the Jaguars looking to extend their recent resurgence after snapping a four-game losing streak, while the Mastodons aim to build on their first conference win of the season.
IU Indy Jaguars: Aiming for Sixth Win and Offensive Spark
The IU Indy Jaguars have had a mixed start to their season, but they are riding high after a solid 3-1 stretch following a four-game losing streak. Their most recent game was a tough 66-64 home loss to Northern Kentucky, a contest in which the Jaguars were 8-point underdogs. Despite the setback, IU Indy continues to show resilience, covering the spread in three of their past five games.
One of the biggest bright spots for the Jaguars this season has been Paul Zilinskas, the senior guard who is averaging 18.7 PPG. Zilinskas has been electric, scoring 20+ points in five games this season, including a team-high 24 points in the loss to Northern Kentucky. Jarvis Walker, another senior guard, has been equally impactful, reaching 20 or more points in four of his last five outings. Walker is averaging 16.3 PPG on 42% shooting from the field.
In addition to their star guards, Sean Craig (8.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG) and Timaris Brown (6 PPG) provide valuable contributions in the frontcourt. Craig has recorded double-digit points in two of his last five games and remains a key factor on the glass.
Offensively, the Jaguars are solid, averaging 78.3 points per game (135th in the nation). However, their defense has been a cause for concern, as they allow an average of 70 points per game (154th). IU Indy ranks 350th in KenPom’s overall ratings, which reflects their struggles both offensively and defensively.
Fort Wayne Mastodons: Seeking Consistency After First Conference Win
The Fort Wayne Mastodons enter this matchup with a 6-4 record, looking for their second conference win after defeating Robert Morris 82-77 on Sunday. The Mastodons had dropped a narrow 79-78 decision to Detroit in their Horizon League opener, but they bounced back in impressive fashion at home. Fort Wayne has been inconsistent, but they are undefeated at home, boasting a 3-0 record at Memorial Coliseum.
Jalen Jackson, a junior guard, has been the star for Fort Wayne this season. Jackson has been on fire, scoring 31 points against Penn State and 23 points in the win against Robert Morris. He is averaging 19.1 PPG and is capable of taking over a game. Another key player for the Mastodons is Rasheed Bello, who has posted 14.4 PPG on 42% shooting. Bello will need to maintain his scoring consistency to help offset the loss of some of Fort Wayne’s offensive rhythm.
In addition to Jackson and Bello, Corey Hadnot II has emerged as a steady scoring option, averaging 11.3 PPG. Eric Mulder, a junior forward, has also contributed significantly, averaging 10.3 PPG while shooting 50% or better in five consecutive games.
Fort Wayne’s offense has been dynamic, ranking 65th in the nation in points per game with an average of 82. They’ve topped 80 points in two of their last five games, showcasing their offensive potency. However, their defense has been more suspect, allowing 73 points per game (230th) and ranking 154th in field goal defense (42.3%).
Conclusion
This Horizon League matchup promises to be an exciting game with contrasting styles. IU Indy will look to keep the game high-paced and capitalize on their perimeter shooting, while Fort Wayne will rely on Jalen Jackson and their strong offensive attack to outgun the Jaguars. Both teams have shown inconsistencies on the defensive end, but Fort Wayne’s home-court advantage and stronger offensive lineup should give them the edge.
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