Indiana basketball will test its depth this week as three games in three days finds its way to roster still nursing some injuries

The Battle 4 Atlantis begins tomorrow with Indiana basketball facing Louisville, and not only will it be the stiffest test of the young season — it’ll also begin a three-game in three-day stretch for the Hoosiers, putting the depth of the roster through an early test.

The first question is how effective and how many minutes will veteran guard Trey Galloway play? After offseason knee surgery, Mike Woodson has brought along his senior guard at a slow and deliberate pace.

He’s played 17, 18, 22 and 15 minutes in Indiana’s first four games of the season — averaging 18 minutes a game. In those 18 minutes a game, Galloway’s averaging 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.

While IU’s point guard depth is deeper than years past, Galloway has still played a large part in IU’s offensive success this season. He has 21 assists to just eight turnovers and has an assist rate of 44.9 percent — fifth best in the nation.

“I’m going to continue as the coach to take it a day at a time with him, like we’ve been doing,” Woodson said on Tuesday. “It’s still a long season and I need Trey Galloway in a uniform. So, yes, we’ve got three games in three days. I’m just gonna take it a game at a time and see — gauge it as the game goes on.”

“Obviously, three games in three days is a lot for anybody, so just staying prepared and steady ready to feel my body out,” Galloway added. “I think as my minutes have increased throughout the games, just kinda seeing how it goes and how it reacts. But other than that, I feel good.”

While Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle are healthy, the depth at the guard position is getting slim. Sophomore Gabe Cupps missed IU’s game last time out and is still questionable heading into Wednesday’s matchup.

“I don’t know,” Woodson said when asked about Cupps’ availability. “Gabe has practiced a little bit … hasn’t had a lot of practice time under his belt since he went down.”

After starting 22 games as a freshman and playing 21.7 minutes a game, Cupps has seen those numbers dip to just two appearances with 7.5 minutes a game of action.

“If Gabe tells me he can play — if he’s ready to play, then if I find minutes for him, then I’ll throw him in there,” Woodson said. “But right now, I don’t know the rotations in terms of who’s gonna play, who’s not gonna play.”

As for freshman guard Jakai Newton, after missing all of last year with a knee injury he debuted earlier this season scoring two points in eight minutes against Eastern Illinois. He has yet to see the floor since then, however.

“Jakai is still slow coming back,” Woodson said. “I don’t know if he’ll dress or play tomorrow.”

Overall depth and talented depth was a key discussion point coming into the season. Most notably from Mike Woodson who said numerous times this Indiana basketball roster is the deepest and most talented team he’s had since arriving in Bloomington.

Regardless of the health of IU’s trio of guards, the depth and rotations will be put to the test this week with no rest between games. After Louisville, Indiana will play either West Virginia or No. 3 Gonzaga. Then Oklahoma, Providence, Davidson or No. 24 Arizona await on the bottom side of the bracket. With the strength of Indiana’s non-conference slate hinging on this week’s performance, a critical few days are upcoming.

“I’m here to win and win at all costs,” Woodson said. “If it means playing 10 guys, eight guys, seven guys. Only time will tell. Just gotta wait to get into the game and see where it leads us.”

SEE ALSO: 3 things to watch for Indiana basketball ahead of Battle 4 Atlantis

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