The 17th-ranked Indiana basketball team stepped out on the court for the first time this season in an exhibition match against the number 12-ranked Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday afternoon.
This was the first time the teams have met at a non-neutral site, playing at the Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. Even with the Hoosier’s 10-0 run at the end of the second half, it was a tight, back-and-forth game that ultimately ended with Indiana walking away with a 4-point win.
Takeaway #1: Indiana will need to rely on Oumar Ballo and other centers
If there is one thing this match proved, it’s that perimeter three-point shots are not IU’s strong suit. Their inconsistent, and at times, rushed shots led to many turnovers throughout the game.
Despite this trouble, Indiana basketball still managed to score 66 points in total as Oumar Ballo and Malik Reneau proved to be key players on the inside. Center Oumar Ballo, a transfer from Arizona, had 6 points and 11 rebounds, showing that his rebounding will be crucial to this team’s success. Junior forward Malik Reneau showed promise at the rim as well with 21 points and 8 rebounds along with 3 steals.
Takeaway #2: Myles Rice is the key to playing with a fast pace
It is evident that Indiana basketball wants to play at a fast pace and Washington State transfer guard Myles Rice is undoubtedly the key to this. In his debut as a Hoosier and a member of the starting five, Rice scored 10 points against the Volunteers. His speed and agility allowed him to consistently beat Tennessee’s defense, including Zakai Zeigler, who is considered one of the best defensive guards in the nation.
However, even though this is the way the Hoosiers want to play this season, there may be situations when they need to slow it down. There were times throughout the game when the offense seemed frantic and rushed. Some may say it felt sloppy and that the pace added to the inconsistency of the 3-point shooting. Even so, if Rice and the rest of the Indiana squad can keep this up, it will be hard for their opponents to keep up with this speed of play.
Takeaway #3: The future is bright
Currently, Indiana fans are very dialed in on coach Curt Cignetti’s football team as the Hoosiers remain undefeated after their latest win against the Washington Huskies. During this historical season there seems to be one question in the back of almost every fan’s mind: can this success carry over into basketball season? While the answer is not currently clear, Sunday’s match showed promise for coach Mike Woodson’s 2024-25 squad.
Even after their slow start, the Hoosiers came out on top in a thrilling matchup that was being compared to a regular-season game or even a game in the second week of March. Indiana scored only 25 points in the first half, but posted 41 in the second and only 3 turnovers, finishing with a total of 13. Even though IU did not shoot well, their defense was strong and will continue to be something that sets them apart.
With eight players going in in the first 30 minutes of the first half, the Hoosiers proved to be deep as well as competitive and passionate. Sunday’s matchup wasn’t even a full glimpse of what this team has to offer as returning guard Trey Galloway and freshman guard Bryson Tucker did not play due to injury.
The Indiana Hoosiers will face the Marian Knights in another exhibition game back in Bloomington at Assembly Hall on Friday.