One question facing all 12 Indiana basketball players entering the summer

The Indiana basketball program were winners of the offseason, landing the No. 2 overall transfer class. Mike Woodson and his staff came into the spring and needed a significant few months to add much-needed talent to the roster. That they did.

Indiana added No. 2 overall transfer Oumar Ballo and top-25 transfers in Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle. Also added were Luke Goode and Langdon Hatton. After losing McDonald’s All-American Liam McNeeley, IU replaced him with another McDonald’s All-American in Bryson Tucker.

Summer workouts began last week and every player on the roster is now on campus.

With a critical few months ahead for Indiana basketball, here is one question facing each player entering the summer.

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Oumar Ballo, Center: Will he be the rim presence IU’s had the past few years?

Following three years with either Trayce Jackson-Davis or Kel’el Ware at the backside of the defense, Indiana basketball moves into a new phase with Oumar Ballo who hasn’t been as lethal as a shot blocker. In his past two seasons, Ballo has averaged just 1.3 blocks per game. Compare that to 1.9 from Ware last year and 3.1 from Jackson-Davis in his final two years and it’s quite a different level of production in that area. Jackson-Davis had a block rate of 8.5 or greater in each of those final two seasons. Last year, Ware’s was at 6.5 percent and Ballo was at 4.8 as a junior and 5.0 last year. In his career, Ballo has just 16 games with three or more blocks. Jackson-Davis had 16 alone in his senior year and Ware had eight last year.

Ballo, while 7-feet and 260-pounds, doesn’t have the length or lift like Ware and Jackson-Davis have. He makes up for that with his frame, making it difficult for opponents to get comfortable in the paint. It’ll be interesting to see how that translates to IU’s defense as most of Ware’s and Jackson-Davis’ success came on help defense first, then as the main defender.

Malik Reneau, Forward:  Can he finally overcome the consistent foul trouble in Big Ten play?

Foul trouble. Foul trouble. Foul trouble. That’s been the biggest reason why Malik Reneau hasn’t had even more success in his first two seasons in Bloomington. After averaging a whopping 6.8 fouls per 40 minutes as a freshman, he saw that number drop as a sophomore, albeit still 4.4 per 40 minutes. For the season last year, Reneau averaged 3.1 fouls a game in his 28.7 minutes per game. Most of the struggles once again came in Big Ten play.

Reneau averaged just 2.5 fouls per game in the first 19 games of the year. IU was 12-7 at that point and Reneau was averaging 16.5 points per game. He was also playing 30 minutes a game. He also had just five games with four or more fouls. Then, things changed. In the final 14 games, IU going 7-7 over that span, Reneau averaged 3.9 fouls per game in 27 minutes. He saw his scoring drop to 13.9 points per game and also had 11 games with at least four fouls.

Reneau needs to be on the floor and if he’s unable to get his fouling under control, it’ll be a major issue for Indiana basketball.

Mackenzie Mgbako, Wing: Being more consistent with his shot, yes — but can he become more of a threat off of the dribble?

Fans and opposing teams saw what Mackenzie Mgbako could do from the perimeter towards the end of last season and that is be a very consistent option from three. If he gets hot, he can also make a lot in a hurry. Where he struggled to find any consistency was creating off of the dribble. While Mgbako will likely never be a lethal off the dribble scorer, there are ways he can become more of a threat. Last year, it was either on the perimeter or muscle his way out of control and get a foul. There needs to be something in between.

With his size and length, he should be able to score over defenders in the mid range. While I’m not saying he needs to turn his game into the mid range scorer that Jalen Hood-Schifino was, but adding that to his game would be valuable. Then, being able to beat someone off the dribble — something he lacked in his skillset last year. Mgbako needs to be able to find a way to add a bit more athleticism while he has the ball in his hands. If so, he’ll be extremely difficult to defend.

Kanaan Carlyle, Guard: How impactful can he be as a consistent and efficient scorer?

There is no denying Carlyle’s offensive ability. He’s a former top-50 prospect for a reason and had success as a freshman. And like most freshmen, he had his ups-and-downs. So heading into his sophomore season, how consistent and efficient can he be?

Carlyle averaged 11.5 points a game last year for Stanford but shot just 38.6 percent from the floor overall and 32 percent from three. While 14 of his 23 games played were in double-digits, six of those 14 were with a 40 percent of less shooting percentage. Because of the options that Indiana will have, Carlyle won’t have to force the issue like he did at times a season ago. He also won’t have the leash to do so most likely. But, he is a critical part of the roster and his ability to turn the corner and become a much more efficient scorer will go a long way in helping Indiana. He’s best when he attacks the rim and gets downhill and if he can remember that, instead of settling for contested jumpers, his impact could be extremely substantial.

Myles Rice, Guard: Can he prove his end of season shooting slump was just that?

Myles Rice was the most important pickup for Indiana basketball this offseason. His ability to create off of the dribble and in open space will be extremely valuable for Indiana and something it hasn’t had consistently from its guards in quite some time. But, the biggest question mark for a lot of people is around his shot.

Rice shot just 27.5 percent from three last year — a far cry from what you would like from someone attempting 3.7 3s per game. But, the numbers don’t show the entire story. Through the first 26 games, Rice shot 33 percent and made 1.3 3s a game. Not terrific, but at least a percentage that keeps the defense honest. He also had 10 games with at least two made 3s. It was the final seven games that ruined his overall percentage. He went 0-for-22 in the final seven games leading into the NCAA Tournament.

Rice is a good shooter, or at least respectable shooter, and showed that for the majority of last season. Can he rebound from that month long slump at the end of the year?

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Trey Galloway, Guard: Can his shot resort back to 2022-23?

Galloway, along with Mgbako, are the major keys to the success of the 2024-25 season. While Galloway is still rehabbing from offseason knee surgery, the expectations for him next year are going to be vastly different from those of a season ago. Last year he took on a great deal of scoring responsibility and then was ‘forced’ into point guard and playmaking duties with the consistent injury struggles of Xavier Johnson.

Because of that, his shooting percentage dipped drastically. He went from a 46.2 percent three-point shooter as a junior — second best in the Big Ten — to 26 percent last season. H attempted 35 more 3s on the season last year but made four less than the year prior. A reason for that was the lack of playmaking guards outside of himself. He’s not someone who is efficient shooting the ball off the dribble, but showed two years ago that he can be a valuable asset from the perimeter when there are other guards who can make plays.

While he won’t likely see a jump back up to the mid-to-high 40s, if he can get to the mid-to-high 30s, that would be extremely helpful for the Indiana perimeter play. It’s 100 percent doable.

Luke Goode, Wing: Will he be the consistent shooter he’s been in his career?

One of the more important additions for Indiana basketball this spring was from Luke Goode. The best part about his game has been his consistent play. While he’s dealt with some injuries throughout his career, when he’s been on the floor he’s been a true knockdown shooter. A career 38.8 percent three-point shooter, Goode shot 38.9 percent last year. Despite coming off the bench and playing 20.1 minutes a game, he was second on Illinois in made 3s (61) and first in percent.

Goode hit at least one three in 29 of 38 games played last year and hit two in 17 games. His 61 3s would have led Indiana.

His ability to spread the floor and provide true knockdown shooting ability is what is critical for Indiana. Can he have the same consistent impact as he’s had in the past?

Bryson Tucker, Wing: Can he buy in defensively? if so, he’ll have a major role.

One of the more overlooked players for Indiana coming in this offseason has been McDonald’s All-American wing Bryson Tucker. While Tucker isn’t ‘great’ in any one category, he is extremely impactful in numerous areas. Because of Indiana’s depth at the guard and wing position, he isn’t going to come in and have a major impact in terms of stats. But there are a few ways he can contribute in a massive way.

That is defensively. Tucker has great length and athleticism that allows him to get in the middle of passing lanes and spark transition opporitinnties. At 6-foot-6, with his length and size he can guard numerous positions and that could spearhead his playing time. If Tucker can buy in and really understand the defensive philosophy that Mike Woodson runs at Indiana, he can make an impact on that end of the floor. We’ve seen in Woodson’s first three years, if you understand the defensive assignments, you’ll make your way on the floor. It’s as simple as that.

Gabe Cupps, Guard: Does he become more of a playmaker offensively?

Gabe Cupps came into his freshman season looking to play reserve minutes behind two veteran guards in Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway. Instead, he started 22 games and played 21.7 minutes a game because of the injuries to Johnson. By all accounts, it was a successful season for the freshman. He brought energy, a high motor and a high IQ to the floor and played with an intensity that was contagious for a lot of his teammates. But, he just didn’t have a great ability to be a terrific playmaker offensively.

Let’s understand that Cupps is never going to be a huge scorer or huge assist guy — that’s just not who he is. But, he’s incredibly steady and knows when and how to make the right play. The one negative with that is opposing defenses don’t have to pay much attention to him offensively. There were numerous times that Cupps deferred or struggled to make aggressive moves to either score or make a play for his teammate. While he did find success as a spot up shooter last year, shooting 35.9 percent from three, it wasn’t enough to keep defenses’ attention.

Can Cupps become more aggressive in that manner? If so, he will bring another dimension to his game and one that would be extremely beneficial to add to all the other intangibles he has.

Langdon Hatton, Forward: Will he be that ‘stretch forward’ that Indiana needs?

Hatton was the last addition for Indiana basketball in the transfer portal but one that was needed. Indiana lacked depth in the front court and Hatton will bring experience and a potential skillset that will be beneficial for IU’s forwards. Before diving in, Hatton is never and is not currently a knockdown shooter. But, he has the ability to be efficient from three.

He shot 33.3 percent from three (15-of-45) last year but is just 18-of-55 for his career. Where he can be impactful for Indiana is in pick and pop situations, however. Last year, Hatton had a 66 percent effective field goal rate on catch and shoot 3s, ranked in the 95th percentile. Kel’el Ware made 17 3s last year and was consistent in his pick and pop skillset. That’s an area that Hatton can be an asset in with Ware gone.

While 69 percent of his field goal attempts during the 2023-24 season were at the rim, if he can hit double-digit 3s and shoot around 33 or 34 percent this year for Indiana, that would be a massive win and bring a much-needed dimension and skill to IU’s offense.

Jakai Newton, Guard: How will he look after missing nearly 2 years of basketball?

Everyone is excited to see what Jakai Newton can do. After redshirting last year with a knee injury, the 2024-25 season will be Newton’s first action in college and really his first bit of high-level competition since his junior year of high school. Newton missed most of his senior year and over half of his junior season summer with a knee and ankle injury. So, to come back and make a huge impact in his first season in nearly two years is something unlikely to happen.

But, what will Newton look like? He has unreal athleticism and has a tremendous frame for his position. He’s college ready in terms of his body. No question about that. But, how will that translate once he gets into live-game settings? Expectations seem to be rather ‘high’ for Newton this year and while he can make an impact, it’ll be interesting to see just what that looks like.

Anthony Leal, Guard: What type of role will he play?

One of the biggest fan favorites, if not the biggest, Anthony Leal returns for a fifth year at Indiana. After being a back-end of the rotation player for the majority of his first four years, Leal found a role midway through the season last year. He played 16.2 minutes a game in Big Ten games and hit seven 3s in 15 games.

Leal’s energy and ability to understand all five spots defensively was the reason for his playing time, however. His hard work was always a point of emphasis for Mike Woodson when discussing his play and why he found the floor in critical games. But, where does he fit on this roster? IU’s backcourt is very crowded and now with multiple skillsets from different players, there is a real question for exactly what his role will be.

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