Indiana basketball: Takeaways from the non-conference

The non-conference portion of the 2024-25 Indiana basketball schedule is about to wrap up.

With one more remaining ‘bye’ game left in the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Hoosiers will very likely head back into Big Ten play with a 10-3 record, with 2 loses coming from Battle 4 Atlantis and the other already in conference play to Nebraska on the road.

At the very least, it is safe to say that the Hoosiers had a very interesting non-conference showing over the past two months. There were certainly some highs and lows and with that and the jury overall seems to be undecided just what exactly this Indiana basketball team is.

The Big Ten play will ramp right back up in January when the Hoosiers host Rutgers on January 2nd but before we get there, let’s pull out some takeaways from the non-conference play of Indiana basketball.

Podcast: Talkin’ Bout The Hoosiers Ep. 37 – All Time Indiana Basketball Draft

Didn’t get the marquee wins Indiana basketball needed

The non-conference slate that Indiana basketball had put together was a hot topic to say the least. Compared to teams that are similar to them, the Hoosiers went heavy on the ‘bye’ games at home with only a slim opportunity to get some marquee wins.

The chance for Indiana basketball to get some quality wins on their resume was in The Bahamas during Battle 4 Atlantis. Of course, we all know what happened there with the Hoosiers going 1-2 with blowout losses to Louisville and Gonzaga. Indiana was only able to Providence.

Besides Battle 4 Atlantis, the next chance for Indiana to get a solid win in the non-conference was  South Carolina, which the Hoosiers did win so credit is due there. Still, South Carolina is not exactly the resume boosting win on paper that you want to have if you are a team like Indiana.

So overall, the Hoosiers will go into Big Ten play double-digit wins, but not any with some meat on it.

Defense will make or break this team

It what has been majorly different than recent years in the Mike Woodson era of Indiana basketball, the offense for the Hoosiers seems….fine. As of this current writing, Indiana is averaging 78.8 points per game and have shown multiple times they are capable of scoring at all levels of the floor.

The issue, very oddly enough, is on the defensive end. Hoosiers are letting up nearly 65 points per opponent they have faced thus far. While it is not a super high number, it is allowing teams that Indiana should on paper blowout, stay in the game.

When you watch the Hoosiers on the defensive end of the floor, the struggle seems to stem from mental lapses and a lack of communication. There are multiple breakdowns that allow good looks for opponents on the perimeter and even free looks at the rim.

This end of the floor is what is going to make or break Indiana basketball when they get back into conference play. The competition gets so much harder than what Indiana has faced so far and defensive breakdowns will cost the Hoosiers.

It is time for Indiana basketball to take some pride on this end before it is too late.

Season isn’t dead

Everyone, relax. Take a deep breath. The season isn’t dead like you think.

Yes, the fans should be very disappointed in the blowout losses to Louisville and Gonzaga. It was an embarrassing showing for the Hoosiers and given the talent on the roster, pretty unacceptable.

However, let’s look at some positives here. Indiana is going to go into conference play with 10 wins and for the most part, they have taken care of the teams they were supposed to take care in dominant fashion. The wins have not been pretty for a full 40 minutes, but they figure it out and get the win.

Here is the thing as well, the season was not going to be defined as a success in the non-conference. Your season is defined in conference play. That still awaits for Indiana basketball.

This Indiana basketball team still has some growing pains going on. The best part however, this team has not peaked whatsoever. If Indiana can have a strong Big Ten showing, nobody we will be thinking about the non-conference.

Quick Hitters

Take the handcuffs off Myles Rice: The sophomore guard has had a pretty up-and-down season thus far for Indiana basketball. When Rice is on, he has been a game-changer for Indiana but when he is off, he is a little bit of a liability. It still looks as though he is still trying to find his role on this team. Mike Woodson wants him to play more traditional but that is not Rice’s game. He needs to be able to create for himself as a scorer and let the offense open up around him. Mike Woodson needs to let Rice do his thing on the floor. It will benefit the entire team.

Mackenzie Mgbako has to be more consistent: The sophomore wing had the hottest start of the season of any player on the Indiana roster. The way he was playing, he looked like a first-team All-Big Ten contender. However, that has cooled off as of late. Mgbako in the later parts of the non-conference schedule started to show some old tendencies he showed during his freshman season. Often times he has looked lost on the floor ant sure what he should do on both ends of the floor. Indiana basketball is at their best when Mgbako plays with consistent aggressiveness on the floor. When he is locked in on the defense end and finding his offense, the Hoosiers feel unstoppable. At this point in his college career, Mgbako has got to be more consistent on the floor.

Mike Woodson is handling the front court play just fine: The handling of the front court was always going to be one of the top focuses for Indiana basketball this season as people wondered how the paring of Oumar Ballo and Malik Reneau would work. For the most part, it has gone pretty well. Mike Woodson has not overplayed them and has shown he is not afraid to pair Mackenzie Mgbako or Luke Goode with either one of the starting big men. The front court is still the strength of this Indiana team and will help them win some games in the Big Ten.

See Also: Indiana basketball looks to ‘clear everybody’s minds’ with upcoming break after more ‘discouraging’ signs over recent play

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.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.