‘Indiana can be the Big Ten’s best team.’ Where is IU in early college basketball rankings?

Indiana basketball has undergone a lot of change heading into the 2024-25 season.

The Hoosiers lost their big man, Kel’el Ware, who was also their best player. They surged late last season with five straight wins. Roster reconstruction, mostly through the transfer portal, has added high-level experience.

Many national experts see IU continuing to rise. The average national ranking for the Hoosiers among the group below is 17th, making them a challenger for the ever-expanding Big Ten (now 18 teams) title.

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Where is Indiana ranked in college basketball?

▶ Gary Parrish, CBS Sports: 18th

This ranking is based on Mike Woodson’s Hoosiers returning three of the top four scorers — specifically Malik Reneau, Mackenzie Mgbako and Trey Galloway — from a team that finished tied for sixth in the Big Ten. The additions of Myles Rice (Washington State), Oumar Ballo (Arizona), Kanaan Carlyle (Stanford) and Luke Goode (Illinois) from the transfer portal means Indiana is adding four experienced pieces, three of whom just spent a season starting in the Pac-12.

▶ Isaac Trotter, 247Sports: 17th

Indiana may very well have the most resources of any team in the Big Ten. It flexed its muscles in the transfer portal, reeling in Myles Rice, Kanaan Carlyle and Oumar Ballo, to transform the makeup of this roster. It also shored up two of its biggest weaknesses. Indiana was a poor rebounding team last year. Ballo will help change that. Indiana’s guards were terrible in pick-and-rolls last year. Rice and Carlyle will help change that.

The talent is clear, but the fit of Reneau and Ballo together could be a bit clunky unless Mike Woodson opts to ditch the two-big lineup, at times. He has the roster flexibility to do it thanks to the addition of freshman sensation Bryson Tucker and Illinois transfer sharpshooter Luke…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/indiana-big-tens-best-team-160629444.html

Author : IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star

Publish date : 2024-06-10 16:06:29

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