‘They like to compete’: Second unit for Indiana basketball could be x-factor to sustained success this season

One major point of emphasis for Mike Woodson this past offseason was to strengthen his bench. It’s not to say that Indiana basketball hasn’t had a strong second unit in his first two years, but the inconsistencies of that group outweighed the positive moments.

Now in year three, it not only appears to be the deepest group he’s had, but also the most talented. And, that group already has the attention of Woodson.

“That whole second unit has given me enough confidence since we’ve been together that I can play them,” Woodson said following IU’s final exhibition game last Friday. “I mean, I feel good — somebody’s not playing well in the first unit, I feel really good about playing guys in the second unit because they compete. They like to compete. And that’s how it’s got to be the rest of this season.”

In the first exhibition, Indiana’s second unit had 22 points. In exhibition number two, it was 33 points from the bench — both sparking big runs whenever any part of the bench rotation took the floor.

The unit is made up of some veterans and also some young and inexperienced players.

CJ Gunn and Kaleb Banks are both expected to make large jumps as sophomores, but neither played more than 24 games or 7.5 minutes a game a season ago. Gabe Cupps is a freshman guard who enters as a four-star prospect but has never played at the college level before. Peyton Sparks is a transfer from mid-major Ball State. And, Anthony Walker enters as someone who was barely in the rotation at Miami (Fla.) towards the end of last season.

Yet, those five players have made it known that they are here to not just compete, but make it difficult to keep them off the floor.

“I mean, I think we try to take it to the red team every day and we try to challenge them (the starters),” Cupps said on Friday. “So everybody just competes on our team, and I think when everybody’s going at each other and they have the thought in mind they’re just making each other better, that’s when you get a really successful team. I think I’ve done a good job in practice of just coming consistently and pressuring the ball all the time.”

The second unit for Indiana basketball isn’t just going up against a group of typical starters.

Kel’el Ware is a projected first round selection in the upcoming NBA Draft. He was a former five-star prospect. Mackenzie Mgbako is also a fringe first round selection and was a top-10 prospect in the 2023 class. Malik Reneau was a five-star prospect in the 2022 class. Then, you add in a sixth-year point guard in Xavier Johnson and a four-year guard in Trey Galloway.

Through two exhibitions, Cupps has had seven assists and zero turnovers. He’s also had four steals. Walker has averaged 7.0 points on 6-of-11 shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 2.o assists per game. His versatility and length has also led to three blocks and three steals. CJ Gunn averaged 9.5 points and had three steals while Kaleb Banks had 12 points and two blocks in his only appearance. Peyton Sparks had great energy and toughness in his first game but missed a large majority of the second half and the entire second exhibition with an ankle injury.

“I just like the way we’ve been playing here of late, and it’s kind of how I put it together, and the second unit, they’re going to play,” Woodson said. “I mean, I feel good about our second unit, but they’re going to have to produce. I’m playing the guys that’s going to produce and play. And they’ve shown it and earned my respect in terms of earning minutes, and they’re going to play. And if they’re playing well, they’ll be in here a while. If they’re not, then we have to juggle and try to find guys that are playing well together to help us win. That’s what team is all about.”

It has been a long summer and long fall for the Indiana basketball program. Despite having two exhibitions, this team is hungry for the regular season.

The second unit has shown it has the versatility and the differing skillsets to help this Indiana basketball team consistently. It could be the x-factor for this team throughout the entire season.

One thing is for certain — there will never be a lack of energy for that group. If anything, an anxious energy to get on the floor.

Well, they get that chance on Tuesday.

“We’ve done some pretty good things from an offensive and defensive standpoint and we’ve got to build on those things and don’t forget how we’ve done them,” Woodson said. “That’s what’s important moving forward. And everybody’s got to push each other to get better. We’ve still got a long way to go and it starts on Tuesday.”

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