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Indiana’s losing streak to Northwestern reflects a dramatic change in the series

Two years ago Northwestern achieved its longest-winning streak ever in Bloomington.

On Tuesday evening, the Wildcats can claim their longest-winning streak all-time in the 118-year Big Ten series.

Indiana has dominated the series against Northwestern, 120-57.  The Hoosiers didn’t lose at all to the Wildcats from 1971 to 1981, or from 1988 to 2003.  But the tables have turned over the last five years.

At five, Northwestern has currently tied its longest-ever run of wins against IU, and can set the all-time mark at six on Tuesday.  The Wildcats can also extend their winning streak in Bloomington to four.  The Hoosiers haven’t beaten the Wildcats at Assembly Hall since January 2020.

Indiana’s last win over Northwestern came in 2021 in Evanston, in what would turn out to be the second-to-last win of the Archie Miller era.  That took two overtimes for Indiana to pull it out, 79-76.

How long has it been since the Hoosiers beat the Wildcats?  In each of IU’s last two wins over Northwestern, Miller Kopp was still playing for the other side.

NU coach Chris Collins is 10-8 in his career against the Hoosiers and holds a record of 4-5 at Assembly Hall, which ranks as the third most wins by any active Big Ten head coach in the building.

Here’s a quick look back the current five-game losing streak.

JAN. 22, 2025 — EVANSTON

Northwestern 79  Indiana 70

Northwestern blitzed Indiana with 13 of 27 shooting from three, and a 21-4 second-half Wildcats run knocked out the Hoosiers.   The Wildcats scored 54 points in the second half.

FEB. 18, 2024 — BLOOMINGTON

Northwestern 76  Indiana 72

Wearing dark “Fear of God” uniforms, IU fell behind by 14 in the second half before making some late shots to cosmetically make the game look closer.  It was the latest in a run of poor 3-point and free throw shooting efforts.

FEB. 15, 2023 — EVANSTON

Northwestern 64  Indiana 62

Fueled by two technical fouls on the IU bench, the Wildcats led 39-20 at halftime before a furious IU rally that came up short.  Northwestern guards Boo Buie and Chase Audige combined for 35 points including a Buie game-winner on a play where he appeared to both push off and travel.

JAN. 8, 2023 — BLOOMINGTON

Northwestern 84  Indiana 83

IU rallied from a 76-63 deficit with four minutes remaining but couldn’t complete the comeback.  Jalen Hood-Schifino scored a career-high 33 points.  Indiana was playing without starters Race Thompson and Xavier Johnson.

FEB. 8, 2022 — EVANSTON

Northwestern 59  Indiana 51

This was the infamous game when Mike Woodson  suspended five players.  With awkward rotations the Hoosiers struggled offensively, making just 37% of their shots including 4 of 16 from three.

For complete coverage of IU basketball, GO HERE. 

The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”

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