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Your Indiana Sports Fix: Haliburton Shines, IU Falters, and Purdue Dominates

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Heartland Scoop
January 27, 2025

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It’s been a week of thrilling highs and tough lows for Indiana sports fans. From Tyrese Haliburton’s electric third-quarter takeover in Paris to Indiana University’s heartbreaking loss to Maryland, there’s plenty to unpack. Purdue bounced back with a statement win over Michigan, Butler surged past DePaul, and the Colts are deep into Senior Bowl preparations. Dive into all the action, key takeaways, and what’s next for your favorite teams.

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Indiana Pacers

Pacers CRUSH Spurs behind Tyrese's SENSATIONAL 3rd Quarter Takeover

WThe Pacers crushed the Spurs 136-98, marking their biggest win of the season. Alex Golden breaks down how Indiana dominated, the pivotal third quarter, San Antonio's attempts to counter, and what sparked the blowout—plus a chat on Jarace Walker's limited minutes.

From 30-point loss to 38-point win, how Pacers flipped script on Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

The Pacers rebounded in Paris with a dominant 136-98 win over the Spurs, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s electric 28-point performance, including a 16-point third-quarter takeover. Indiana’s full-court pressure forced 24 turnovers, Myles Turner helped contain Victor Wembanyama, and Pascal Siakam added 23 points and 11 boards to seal the deal.

Tyrese Haliburton gets his Paris moment — at last

Tyrese Haliburton dazzled in Paris, scoring 16 straight points in the third quarter to lead the Pacers to a 136-98 rout over the Spurs, erasing memories of their earlier blowout loss. Indiana’s full-court pressure forced 24 turnovers, and Myles Turner helped limit Victor Wembanyama’s impact. With this win, the Pacers rise to fifth in the East, leaving Paris on a high note.

Upcoming

  • Wednesday, 1/29: Home vs. Pistons

  • Saturday, 2/1: Home vs. Hawks

Indiana University

Indiana’s late game execution fails in 79-78 loss to Maryland

The Hoosiers’ season-long struggles with execution hit a new low in a 79-78 collapse to Maryland. Despite a late lead, IU’s confusion, missed free throws, and defensive lapses sealed their fate. With just 10 games left, hope is fading for a turnaround in Bloomington.

Buildup to Indiana basketball's latest loss showed potential left unfulfilled

The Hoosiers' 79-78 heartbreaker to Maryland wasn’t just another loss—it felt like the end of something. Despite erasing multiple double-digit deficits, IU crumbled in the final seconds, undone by missed free throws, defensive lapses, and a chaotic final possession. The result? A fourth loss in five games and a season teetering on the brink. Can they salvage their Big Ten dreams, or is the clock running out?

Reports: Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines agrees to reworked contract with IU football

Indiana football is doubling down on defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, securing him with a new contract amid interest from rivals. Haines, a Broyles Award finalist, transformed IU's defense into a powerhouse, ranking second nationally in total defense and first in rushing defense. With Penn State and Ohio State potentially eyeing him, IU's proactive move shows they’re committed to keeping their defensive mastermind in Bloomington.

Class of 2025 forward Harun Zrno commits to Indiana

Indiana basketball secured a big win on the recruiting trail as 6'7" Bosnian forward Harun Zrno committed to the Hoosiers. Known for his elite perimeter shooting (46.3% from three), Zrno chose IU over Creighton, Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others. The 21-year-old currently stars for BC Slavija, averaging 18.3 points and 4 assists per game. He joins Trent Sisley in Indiana’s Class of 2025, adding international flair and scoring punch to the future lineup.

Upcoming

  • Friday, 1/31: Away vs. Purdue

Purdue

No. 11 Purdue's defense sets tone with "rules of engagement," smothers 21st-ranked Michigan

Purdue dominated Michigan in a 91-64 blowout at Mackey Arena, bouncing back from a tough loss to Ohio State. Braden Smith led the charge with 24 points, 10 assists, and four steals, while C.J. Cox’s relentless defense set the tone early. The Boilermakers forced 22 turnovers, turning them into 29 points, and controlled the game from start to finish, reaffirming their spot near the top of the Big Ten standings.

Boilers Dominate Wolverines to a 91-64 Victory

Purdue bounced back in style, dismantling Michigan 91-64 in a dominant display at Mackey Arena. Braden Smith delivered a historic performance with 24 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, supported by Fletcher Loyer’s five triples and TKR’s efficient 15 points. The Boilermakers forced 22 turnovers, converting them into 28 points, and stifled Michigan’s size advantage with relentless defense and transition play. Now 8-2 in Big Ten play, Purdue gets a well-deserved rest before hosting Indiana.

Upcoming

  • Friday, 1/31: Home vs. Indiana

Indianapolis Colts

2025 Senior Bowl Journal: Colts’ Primer

Senior Bowl Week has arrived, and the Colts are in the thick of it with four staff members coaching in Mobile. Historically, GM Chris Ballard loves drafting Senior Bowl standouts—40.5% of his picks since 2017 have participated. Defensive back, tight end, and linebacker are key areas of need, with top prospects like Malachi Moore (Alabama), Mason Taylor (LSU), and Jack Kiser (Notre Dame) among the attendees. Stay tuned as evaluations unfold and potential Colts targets emerge!

NFL source predicts that the Colts will break an embarrassing curse that has gone on for far too long in 2025

Colts fans may finally have a reason for optimism in 2025. After an 11-year drought in the AFC South, one high-ranking NFL official predicts the Colts could reclaim the division, citing solid drafting, a promising QB in Anthony Richardson, and a "very winnable" division. A bold move to hire Lou Anarumo as defensive coordinator signals a shift, with the secondary expected to get much-needed upgrades. Will Chris Ballard’s offseason strategy match this newfound urgency? Time will tell, but optimism is brewing in Indy.

Notre Dame Football

Recruiting Scoop following Notre Dame’s January Junior Day

Notre Dame’s Junior Day was a resounding success, with nearly 20 elite prospects visiting campus. The staff’s focus on energy and engagement impressed recruits and their families, setting the stage for future commitments.

The Irish solidified relationships with Top247 prospects like OL Tyler Merrill, WR Brayden Robinson, and LB Simeon Caldwell, while emerging talents like edge rusher Ebenezer Ewetade and DL Tiki Hola are trending up. ND’s efforts seem to have positioned them well for key 2026 recruits, bolstering optimism for a strong future class. Expect more commitments in the months ahead as Notre Dame continues to push all the right buttons.

Sources: Marcus Freeman seeking Chris Ash to run Notre Dame defense

Notre Dame is closing in on Chris Ash, former Ohio State DC and Rutgers head coach, to replace Al Golden as defensive coordinator. Meanwhile, Marcus Freeman is pushing to promote DBs coach Mike Mickens to co-DC, though Mickens is weighing other opportunities, including NFL roles.

Butler

A Career Day by Brooks Leads Butler by DePaul, 86-69

Pierre Brooks II dominated with 29 points and 13 rebounds, leading Butler to an 86-69 win over DePaul at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs used a late 20-7 run to seal the victory, improving to 9-11 on the season. Finley Bizjack added 17 points, while Butler shot 52% from the field and dominated the boards, 36-26. Up next: a showdown with Marquette on Tuesday night.

Upcoming

  • Tuesday, 1/28: Home vs. Marquette

As the stories unfold, we’ll be here to bring you all the highlights, insights, and must-know updates from your favorite writers and creators. Stay tuned, and we’ll see you next time!

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