Indiana without five total players, two starters against Northwestern

Indiana announced that five players will not play for Indiana tonight against Northwestern. Those five include Xavier Johnson, Parker Stewart, Tamar Bates, Michael Durr and Khristian Lander.

Mike Woodson said that all five players are suspended.

"I don't know if it's a one game or not. That's a decision I gotta make as we go home tonight," Woodson said postgame.

"Well, I’m not going to give you all the in in-house things. They broke rules and they were punished for it. We’re gonna be a team and you set rules that guys have got to obey by as a team, and that’s what you’ve gotta do. You’ve got to do all the necessary things to help your team win on and off the floor. It just doesn't start on the floor. You’ve gotta do all the necessary things off the floor as well. So that's where we are."

Rob Phinisee (foot) remains out, leaving Indiana with seven scholarship players.

Second-year guards Trey Galloway and Anthony Leal are starting in place of Xavier Johnson and Parker Stewart.

Xavier Johnson averages 10.6 points and 4.5 assists per game this season while Parker Stewart is Indiana's leading three-point shooter at 45.1 percent on 41 made 3s.

Tamar Bates, Khristian Lander and Michael Durr have all provided quality minutes for Indiana off of the bench at points this season.

This is the second time for Stewart that he has missed action due to a non-injury issue this year.

"I'm very disappointed, because I'm strictly about team," Woodson added postgame. "Those guys in the locker room know I'm very upset about it.

"Again, I’m looking at it as doing the right thing for our university and for our team. When you talk about building a team… I’m building a culture here. I’m not here to mess around with guys that don't want to do what's asked of them. If they don't then they got to go, that’s how I look at it.

"I’m going to bring players in here that want to be proud and wear that uniform proudly. That’s what it's all about. Do all the necessary things on and off the court. It’s not hard to do that."

Indiana is 16-6 (7-5) on the season and is coming off of a 17-point home loss to No. 18 Illinois.

(Story updated with postgame quotes from head coach Mike Woodson)

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