What we heard from Indiana basketball at Big Ten Media Days: ‘We got to come out blazing’

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson told reporters at Big Ten Media Days on Thursday he wants his team to get off to a “blazing start” this season.

“We got to come out playing at a high level,” Woodson said. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t is kind of how I look at it.”

Woodson feels like the influx of talent from the transfer portal — Oumar Ballo (Arizona), Myles Rice (Washington State), Kanaan Carlyle (Stanford) and Luke Goode (Illinois) — combined with some key returning veterans (Trey Galloway, Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako) gives the Hoosiers no excuse to struggle out of the gate like they did last year.

Indiana faces a series of close calls at Assembly Hall in wins over Florida Gulf Coast, Army and Morehead State in games all decided by eight points or less that were the cause for some concern. The Hoosiers would go on to miss the NCAA tournament with a 19-14 record.

“We could have lost the games,” Woodson said. “Those guys, the Maliks, Gallos, and Mackenzie, they found ways to win along with Ware. I’m just hoping this year we don’t put ourselves in that position.”

Here’s what we heard about the new-look Hoosiers at Big Ten Media Days on Thursday:

Indiana Hoosiers guard Myles Rice (1) answers a question Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, during IU men’s and women’s basketball media day at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.

More: Indiana basketball guard Trey Galloway hopes to be ‘full go’ next week

Meet IU’s ‘influencer’ Myles Rice

Myles Rice earned the right to represent Indiana at Big Ten Media Days with his vocal leadership throughout the team’s offseason workouts.

“From day one, the way he came in and just took over as a leader, it’s amazing to see,” Galloway said. “…There’s no one like him that I’ve played with ever. The way he’s able to talk to guys, and be that influencer on the court is very special to see.”

Rice, who was sitting right next to Galloway, reacted with a wide smile.

“I appreciate that, big dawg,”…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/heard-indiana-basketball-big-ten-020324069.html

Author : The Herald-Times

Publish date : 2024-10-04 02:03:24

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