Indiana Basketball Game Preview: Marian (Exhibition) – key storylines, injury report, how to watch

Indiana basketball wraps up their preseason matchups with one more exhibition game tonight as they host Marian. The Hoosiers are coming off a road win at Tennessee earlier this week.

Marian is coached by the son of legendary Indiana basketball head coach Bob Knight, Pat Knight.

Indiana is 31-0 in exhibition games versus non-Division I opponents since 2004-05.

Tip is set for 7 PM ET. The game will air on BTN+.

Below is the full preview of Indiana basketball vs Marian.

Watch: Indiana basketball guard Myles Rice previews Marian Exhibition

Key Indiana basketball Storylines

Will the shooting look better?  

For the most part, Indiana basketball looked pretty good in their exhibition win at Tennessee this past Sunday. Even without a full roster, the Hoosiers were able to go on the road in their first game of the 2024-25 season and win against a top-12 team.

The most glaring issue of the game however, was the outside shooting. As most are aware, improving the outside shooting was a major key this offseason if Indiana basketball wanted to make a leap.

In the win at Tennessee, the Hoosiers only shot 4-of-19 from behind the arc with all four of those makes coming in the second half. There was not any bad shot attempts, Indiana just did not convert on most.

As of right now, that should not be a major worry as this team has players that are more than capable of making shots from perimeter on this roster. However with that said, the three point shooting will be what the fans and media watch the closest tonight.

Can Kanaan Carlyle put together a good showing? 

In the exhibition game at Tennessee this past Sunday, starting point guard Myles Rice was pretty much the star of the show for the Hoosiers in the backcourt finishing with 20 points and four assists.

His backcourt running mate Kanaan Carlyle did not have the best debut for the Hoosiers only finishing with 5 points on 2-of-7 shooting.

As of right now, there obviously should not be any worry regarding the former Stanford guard as that was just his first game for the Hoosiers so there is plenty of time to improve. Mike Woodson stated on his radio show this past Monday that he just needs to get Carlyle a little more comfortable and his teammate Myles Rice said he is not worried in the slightest in his ability to perform at a high level for Indiana.

Tonight vs Marian is a perfect time for Carlyle to get in his rhythm and be an elite playmaker for the Hoosiers.

Stay Healthy

This one is prettiest obvious but in a game like this, you have to do everything in your power to stay healthy with the season kicking off officially next week.

Indiana basketball has already bit bitten a little by the injury bug and even though this team is deep, Indiana does not need anymore players on the injury report list.

Great chance for Indiana to shake off some preseason rust while keeping everyone as healthy as possible tonight vs Marian.

More: Myles Rice ‘was who we thought he was’ for Indiana basketball in exhibition win — showing glimpses of just how important he’ll be this season

Series History

For the third-straight preseason, the Hoosiers and Knights will compete in the exhibition slate. Indiana holds a 3-0 series advantage against Marian.

Kel’el Ware posted a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double in Indiana’s 94-61 victory over Marian last season. Mackenzie Mgbako tacked on 15 points on 3-of-4 shooting from the 3-point line.

In the Oct. 29, 2022, exhibition against the Knights, Malik Reneau led all Hoosiers in scoring with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He added 11 boards in the 78-42 Indiana victory.

Read: Is Malik Reneau the most important player for Indiana basketball this season? Given all the talk, he may very well be

Indiana basketball Injury Updates

Trey Galloway: The senior guard had knee surgery over the offseason and it has been a slow and steady process for his recovery. He missed Indiana’s exhibition game Tennessee but Mike Woodson stated on his radio show on Monday that he hopes that Galloway can get some run in this game. Regardless, Galloway is expected to be back in full action sooner than later.

Jakai Newton: Newton has been fighting multiple, different lower body injuries for the past two seasons and has not hardly been able to play in a true organized setting. Mike Woodson continues to preach that it has been hit-and-miss when it comes to Newton participating in practice and that he is still not fully healthy. He likely will not play this game.

Bryson Tucker: In what was a little bit of surprise, the lone freshman on this Indiana basketball team missed the exhibition game at Tennessee due to a minor injury he suffered in practice last week. Woodson did state that it is not anything serious so there is a strong chance we see Tucker for the first time this season.

Podcast: Talkin’ Bout The Hoosiers Ep. 30 – Special Guest Brandon Ramsey joins the show to talk Indiana Basketball

Quick Hitters

Who?: Indiana vs Marian (Exhibition)

When?: Nov. 1, 2024 • 7 PM ET

Where?: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222) • Bloomington, Ind.

TV: B1G+ (Zion Brown, Kevin Vera, Audrey Marr)

Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)

Betting Lines: There are no betting lines for this game.

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball one of only five programs to have 4 players listed in CBS Sports rankings

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