IU basketball vs. Marian takeaways: Added emotion with Pat Knight, freshman impresses

BLOOMINGTON – Mike Woodson’s Hoosiers eased past Marian on Friday to complete a perfect pair of preseason exhibitions, Indiana winning 106-64 in its first swing through Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall this season.

The evening was emotional for Woodson, who welcomed back longtime fried and Marian AD Steve Downing, as well as first-year Marian coach Pat Knight. Here are three observations from a straightforward evening of basketball:

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Pushing pace

It won’t always translate given opponents’ styles and the complexion of games. But Indiana’s desire to push the pace, particularly early in halves, is pronounced.

Multiple times during the first half, whoever caught the ball started the break. Even Oumar Ballo hustled the ball up the floor once or twice, and added three first-half assists for his trouble. Myles Rice obviously set the tone but other teammates contributed meaningfully, be it with the dribble or skipping the ball ahead for quick possessions.

It wasn’t just for show, either. Multiple times, the Hoosiers pulled up for quick-fire 3s or attacked the rim downhill, looking for buckets or contact or both.

All the usual caveats about exhibition season apply, and again, pace won’t work equally against all opposition. But Mike Woodson’s preseason promise that the Hoosiers want to play fast was on full display Friday.

Bryson Tucker’s promising debut

After sitting out the win at Tennessee with a minor injury issue, the freshman McDonald’s All American was first off the bench Friday, and he got involved quickly.

Showcasing explosiveness toward the rim and the midrange game around which he fashioned his offense in high school, Tucker scored eight points in the first half and 19 for the game. He found his offense with and without the ball, making good use of ball screens and getting in on that transition game with an open-floor alley oop off a Rice lob pass.

Woodson will probably still push Tucker’s…

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Author : IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star

Publish date : 2024-11-02 00:57:00

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