BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — As the Indiana Hoosiers gear up for what many are calling a defining season under Coach Mike Woodson, fifth-year senior guard Trey Galloway expressed the collective optimism shared by the team. “We’re very optimistic,” he stated at the Hoosier media day at Cook Hall. “We have the pieces that we need... It comes down to us molding together and doing the right things.”
With a spring roster overhaul that stands out in the Big Ten, Indiana has crafted a team ready to tackle various styles of play—be it small ball, power play, or fast breaks. The arrival of elite transfers Oumar Ballo, Myles Rice, Kanaan Carlyle, and Luke Goode, alongside five-star high school talent Bryson Tucker, marks one of the most impressive newcomer classes in the nation.
Coach Woodson, who faced a significant roster shift after last season’s disappointing absence from the NCAA tournament, noted, “We did a good job of putting it together. We added pieces on both ends of the floor.” Ballo, a towering 7-foot center and two-time All-Pac-12 player, is poised to elevate Indiana’s big-man legacy following Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kel'el Ware’s transitions to the NBA.
Alongside returning standouts Galloway, Malik Reneau, and Mackenzie Mgbako, the Hoosiers boast depth and talent. Galloway, recovering from knee surgery, averaged 10.6 points and led the team with 143 assists last season. Reneau and Mgbako contributed 15.4 and 12.2 points, respectively, showcasing a blend of offensive prowess that excites the coaching staff.
“We have the best guard depth and overall talent I’ve had at IU,” Woodson declared, emphasizing the critical need for improved three-point shooting. Last season, Indiana struggled with both attempts and accuracy, finishing last in the Big Ten for 3-point attempts (513) and second to last in accuracy (32.4%). However, with players like Goode, who shot 39.9% from beyond the arc last season, and Galloway, who had a remarkable 46.2% two years ago, there’s reason to believe improvements are on the horizon.
The team’s cohesion is also a priority, with Woodson noting increased summer bonding activities aimed at fostering relationships among players. “They all seem to like each other. They’re all pushing toward the same thing—win games,” he said.
As practice officially begins Wednesday, anticipation builds for Hoosier Hysteria on October 18. Indiana will face off against Tennessee in a charity exhibition on October 27, followed by a home game against Marian University on November 1 and their season opener against SIU-Edwardsville on November 6.
Amid a challenging non-conference schedule, including a matchup against South Carolina and a trip to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis, the Hoosiers are set to tackle a competitive Big Ten slate featuring the debut of former Pac-12 teams.
As Galloway summarized, “We’re still in the process of putting it all together.” With the potential for a championship run in sight, Indiana fans are hopeful that this season will mark a return to the pinnacle of college basketball.
Well the millions of money Woodson offered his mercenaries to play basketball shows how desperate he is. Winning the right way is not what IU stands for anymore
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Local News
