Indiana basketball finally gets back on the floor at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for their first of two exhibition games as they host the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds.
After a very eventful offseason, Mike Woodson brings in a mostly whole new look to the Indiana basketball program with 6 new faces replacing the 7 that left from a season ago. With new faces like Kel’el Ware, Gabe Cupps, and Mackenzie Mgbako, the Hoosiers also being back a solid core of Xavier Johnson, Trey Galloway, and Malik Reneau.
More: Indiana Basketball Newcomer Focus Series
This will be a chance for the Indiana fans to get a first look at the new look Hoosiers.
Below is the full preview of Indiana game vs the University of Indianapolis.
Key Storylines
First look at the ‘new-look’ Hoosiers
Indiana basketball is expected to look a whole lot different than what fans have seen during the Trayce Jackson-Davis era. With 6 new faces replacing 7 former players that we have seen in the past few years, it will be a major adjustment to what we are used to seeing.
With the new look comes a new style of play, a style that Mike Woodson has been wanting to bring to Indiana since he took over. With having a guy like Jackson-Davis, Woodson had no choice but to play through his All-American big, however that extremely limited what the Hoosiers could do on the offense. With guys like Ware and Mgbako, the floor spacing will be much more open starting this year.
Mike Woodson has made it clear that he wants to bring in more versatile players and this looks to be the year that starts to come together. This is a overall young, inexperienced team that is full of untapped potential, but it will likely take time for the Hoosiers to fully bring it together.
Sunday will be a good starting point for this team.
“Only time will tell,” said Mike Woodson when speaking to the media on Friday. “….You’ve got to play the games. We’ll start here soon and kind of get a feel for where we are and what we need to continue to grow in. You’re talking about 10 new faces, six guys that came from different programs and that are trying to figure out me as a coach and all the things that I’m asking them to do.”
Who makes up the starting unit?
When the roster was fully set this offseason, one of the first questions people started to ask was who exactly will make up the starting lineup. After all, Indiana needed to replace 3 starters from a season ago.
At this point in time, the starting unit is projected to be: Xavier Johnson, Trey Galloway, Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau, and Kel’el Ware.
Questions were raised a little bit ahead of Sunday’s game due to the situation regarding Mackenzie Mgbako and if he would play or not. Mike Woodson put all of those questions to bed when he spoke to the media on Friday.
“He will be playing,” Woodson said. “He’s been practicing, and all that’s behind us. We’ve got to move forward.”
If that is the starting until for Indiana, is a until that is made up of speed, high energy, athleticism, defense, and guys that have the ability to score at a high level. Things can always change, however, but this looks to be a lineup that is built to start games.
What player will ‘surprise’ on the floor?
There are going to be multiple guys that need to step up for this Indiana basketball ball club. However, there are plenty of options when you look at the roster from top the bottom.
When you look at players that will step up for this basketball team, you start at the sophomores of Malik Reneau, CJ Gunn, Kaleb Banks. All three are projected to make major leaps this season and both Banks and Gunn fall into that ‘surprise’ category, especially Gunn this weekend with Banks likely out due to a groin injury.
You could also see the newcomers like Gabe Cupps, Anthony Walker and maybe a Payton Sparks surprise the fans from their play on Sunday. For Cupps, he has been a standout for Woodson during the fall practice period.
“He’s been solid. I didn’t mention him earlier, but he’s been really one of the bright spots, too,” said Woodson. “He seems to do everything that we’ve asked him to do. I can’t help but think in time he’s going to continue to get better and grow once he figures out the college game.”
“But he’s done a lot of good things on the floor for us in terms of winning, winning basketball plays. That’s what I like to call it because he does a lot of good things to help you win games.”
Although this weekend does not mean much when it comes to the competition level, it is a nice little preview of what guys are ready to produce this season.
Related: Indiana Basketball: 5 key players to watch in IU’s opening exhibition game
Injury Updates
Xavier Johnson: After missing last half of the season due to a broken foot he sustained in the Kansas game, the sixth year lead guard was able to receive a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA and return to Indiana. Per Xavier Johnson, he is 100% now and will be able to go. This will be his first real, in-game action since December of 2022.
Kaleb Banks: Per Mike Woodson, Kaleb Banks is dealing with a ‘groin pull’ and is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Kel’el Ware: Ware had a shoulder injury that snuck up on the radar of Indiana when the Hoosiers hosted their pro day a few weeks ago. The injury looked to be nothing major as Ware participated in Hoosier Hysteria activities. Something to monitor, however.
Jakai Newton: Newton had a lower body surgical procedure done this past offseason to help fix a previous injury he sustained during high school. He is still recovering and is not expected to play awhile at this point.
More: Indiana Basketball Returner Focus Series
Quick Hitters
Who?: Indiana vs University of Indianapolis (Exhibition)
When?: Sunday, October 29th, 1:00 PM ET
Where?: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
TV: B1G+ (Zion Brown, Austin Platt, Amanda Foster)
Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)
Series History: Indiana leads, 5-0 (all exhibition games)
Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.
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