Indiana suffered a setback in their Big Ten campaign, losing 76-72 to Northwestern at Assembly Hall on Sunday afternoon. The defeat puts the Hoosiers at 14-11 overall and 6-8 in conference play. Despite having a full week of preparation, Indiana struggled offensively, scoring only 8 points per possession in the first half.

Head coach Mike Woodson addressed the team's offensive struggles in the postgame press conference, emphasizing the need to capitalize on open shots and improve shooting efficiency. The Hoosiers currently rank 11th out of 14 teams in offensive efficiency in the Big Ten.

Indiana's difficulties extended to their defensive rebounding, allowing Northwestern to grab 14 offensive boards leading to 12 second-chance points. Despite having a tall lineup, the Hoosiers have faced challenges in controlling the glass, ranking 10th in defensive rebounding percentage in the conference.

Malik Reneau's foul trouble continued to plague Indiana, fouling out in four of the last six games, including Sunday's matchup against Northwestern. Woodson expressed frustration with Reneau's fouling and emphasized the need for improvement in the team's defensive efforts.

Northwestern's Ryan Langborg was the standout performer of the game, leading all scorers with 26 points. The fifth-year senior transfer from Princeton played a pivotal role in the Wildcats' victory over the Hoosiers.

Indiana's struggles at home have been a concerning trend, with four losses at Assembly Hall this season. Woodson stressed the importance of defending their home court, but the Hoosiers have fallen short in recent games, losing three of their last four at home.

The Hoosiers will look to regroup and address their offensive and defensive challenges as they aim to improve their standing in the competitive Big Ten conference.