Indiana Basketball: What to watch for in IU’s exhibition against Indianapolis Sunday

Indiana basketball hosts the University of Indianapolis on Sunday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in the team’s first exhibition ahead of the 2023-24 season. The division II school went 26-5 in the 2022-23 season.

Tip off is scheduled for 1:00pm and the game will be available to watch on Big Ten Plus.

It’s important to remember that this exhibition is just that, an exhibition. Mike Woodson’s team is going to look completely different in February than it will on Sunday, but there are still plenty of things to watch for on Sunday.

How does Xavier Johnson look coming off of injury

Xavier Johnson’s return from injury for Indiana basketball has been a huge storyline this entire offseason after breaking his foot against Kansas a season ago.

Johnson’s quickness is arguably his best asset, as it helps him break down his man, which creates scoring opportunities for him and his teammates. Coming off of the foot injury, Johnson’s burst and ability to change directions will be something to watch for.

The expectation is that Johnson will be a bit rusty, having not played competitive basketball in almost a year. His shooting and ball control will be extremely important this season, but Sunday, he will be looking to show he still has that second gear that makes him so hard to stay in front of.

This is the first time Johnson has suffered a significant injury and it seems he has a new appreciation for the trainers’ room as a result.

“My whole career I’ve never been injured. This is my first time battling a major injury to my body,” Johnson said during Indiana institutional media day. “One thing the coaches have been preaching to me is about staying in the training room. Training room got to be my best friend.”

Johnson is only back at Indiana because of the injury and a medical hardship waiver, but he seems extremely motivated to prove he is the same old ‘X’ as before the injury.

Front court rotation

The front court for Mike Woodon’s squad will look completely different than it did a year ago. Indiana basketball brought in a lot of new faces after losing Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson, Miller Kopp and Jordan Geronimo and more from last year’s tournament team.

Sophomore forwards Malik Reneau and Kaleb Banks are the only returners and the rotation of the front court will be something to monitor as we head into the season.

The expectation is that Reneau and Oregon transfer Kel’el Ware will start at the four and five positions for Indiana. After that, there are plenty of questions about who will fill the minutes.

Payton Sparks and Anthony Walker both transferred in this offseason and could come off the bench to fill that role when Reneau or Ware go to the bench. Five-star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako is expected to start at the three, but could play some four depending on the lineup.

The expectation is that Sparks will fill the majority of the backup center minutes, while it will be a committee-based effort for the four minutes, as Banks, Walker and Mgbako will all probably get an opportunity to fill that role as the season goes on.

Woodson will have plenty of options to play at forward and the rotation of the front court will be something to monitor when Indiana takes the floor on Sunday.

Floor spacing and Three point shooting

When Mike Woodson first took over Indiana basketball, he emphasized the importance of shooting the three-ball to create spacing, but that vision did not come to fruition. His team played an inside out style of play in his first two years, but that was in part due to the lack of shooting on the roster.

In 2022-23, Indiana finished 341st of 363 teams in three-pointers attempted and the expectation is that this year’s team will take more threes, especially with newcomers Kel’el Ware and Mackenzie Mgbako expected to shoot the ball from distance.

Their range will help space the floor for the rest of the offense, specifically Xavier Johnson, who has not had the spacing to attack the rim consistently while at Indiana. Indiana’s expected starting lineup should be able to space the floor even without shooter Miller Kopp on the team.

Guard Trey Galloway shot over 46% from three a year ago on two attempts per game. It is likely he’ll take more threes and the percentage will likely drop as a result. If he can stay in the mid to high 30s from deep on more attempts, he will fill a huge role in the starting five.

A lot has been made of Kel’el Ware’s shooting and rightfully so. Woodson has not had a center who could step out and shoot it like Ware and the pick-and-roll/pop with point guard Xavier Johnson has given fans something to be excited about heading into the year.

The 7-footer shot 27.3 percent from three and he will be looking to improve that number in year two. His willingness to shoot it forces the defense to adjust and guard him at the line which opens up the paint for drivers to attack the rim.

There are going to be a lot of question marks regarding this team’s ability to shoot the ball and Sunday will give fans a glimpse into what could come from beyond the arc for this year’s team.

The Sophomore Leap

Indiana basketball brought in four freshmen a year ago, and that group had some high expectations in their first year.

Jalen Hood-Schifino highlighted the class with his impressive freshman year, but now only three remain with the program. For Indiana basketball to reach its ceiling, Woodson is going to need sophomores Malik Reneau, CJ Gunn and Kaleb Banks to take that next step.

All three should have opportunities to see the floor and it is expected that Malik Reneau will start for the Hoosiers this season. A lot was made of his physical development over the summer and he is someone that is projected to take a big leap in year two.

Reneau struggled to stay out of foul trouble as a freshman but showed a strong ability to score the basketball in limited minutes. Reneau’s ability to score the ball in the post and avoid fouling are all things to watch as the forward looks to take a big step in year two.

CJ Gunn’s ability to shoot the ball from distance will give him opportunities on the floor. After losing the team’s best shooter, Miller Kopp, Indiana basketball will be looking to fill his role.

The 6-foot-5 guard struggled as a freshman but is looking to take a huge jump in his second year with the program. Gunn shot 8.3 percent from three as a freshman but in his second year, the expectation is that number will improve a fair amount. Gunn’s ability to space the floor, along with his length and size, will give him the chance to be an impactor on the defensive end for Woodson’s ball club.

The last of the three is forward Kaleb Banks, who played sparingly as a freshman. Banks is the best athlete of the three and showed an ability to defend as a freshman, playing more as the season went on.

The 6-foot-8 forward played less than 6 minutes per game, but with so many forwards leaving the program, Banks will be in line for a bigger role. If Banks can improve his jump shot and handle, he could end up playing a huge role for Woodson and the Hoosiers.

UPDATE: Kaleb Banks is not expected to play in Sunday’s exhibition as he recovers from a groin injury.

Sunday will give us the first look at where the sophomores are and if they are able to take steps forward, they could play a big factor in the success of this team.

SEE ALSO: Indiana Basketball: 5 key players to watch in IU’s opening exhibition game

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