Indiana University Athletics
'Figuring It Out' – Bates' First College Start to Come at Iowa
1/5/2023 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Make no mistake, Tamar Bates has earned his first-ever college start.
Indiana's sophomore guard is set to end his off-the-bench role Thursday night at Iowa as the No. 15/19 Hoosiers (10-3 overall, 1-1 in the Big Ten) resume conference action after a 13-day break.
Bates is coming off a 19-point effort in IU's last game, a Dec. 23 victory over Kennesaw State. Before that, he set a career high with 22 points against Jackson State and scored a combined 32 points in consecutive early December games against Nebraska and Arizona.
Bates averages 9.2 points and shoots 52.3 percent from the field, 41.7 on three-pointers. He has 20 assists and 13 turnovers.
"Tamar is starting to figure it out," coach Mike Woodson says. "He's done some good things throughout the 13 games that we've played. His minutes are going to increase because we're going to need him to step up and make plays for us."
Bates' improved play isn't an accident. Credit an elite work ethic, says senior forward Race Thompson.
"He's a worker. He's been that way since he got here. He's in the gym every day. He shoots before practice.
"You see it with his pre-practice warmup. He does extra stretching and yoga movements.
"That's a reflection of who he is. He's always putting in the extra time. The way he's played recently is a credit to that. It's not surprising to any of us who see him do it every day."
Bates, a former five-star prep prospect, certainly isn't surprised.
"It's not a secret recipe or any mystery. It's putting in the work and knowing the coaches and my teammates have the confidence in me to play my game."
Bates and Trey Galloway will swap roles. Galloway will now come off the bench. Galloway averages 6.2 points and has 18 assists against seven turnovers. He shoots 56.4 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from three-point range.
Starting opportunities for Bates and Galloway come in the wake of senior guard Xavier Johnson's foot injury. He continues to heal from surgery. Woodson hopes he's back before the end of the season.
"I don't think anyone knows what the turnaround is for X right now. Only he will know that, how his body and foot accept the physical therapy he's putting in to get back on the floor."
Woodson can relate. He missed most of his senior season with a back injury. He says doctors told him it was 50/50 if he'd ever play again.
"I was backed in a corner. I had no choice but to push to come back.
"I know he's feeling the same way. It's his last year, his last go-around in college basketball. He's feeling the pressure of getting out on the floor.
"I'm sure X will be smart about his approach in coming back. I wouldn't count him out. He's a tough competitor. He's already doing some things a little ahead of schedule."
Woodson is hopeful All-America forward Trace Jackson-Davis will play against Iowa. He missed the last two non-conference games with minor injuries. Woodson said Jackson-Davis hadn't had much practice contact until Monday.
"I thought he looked pretty good."
The 6-9 Jackson-Davis is one of 25 student athletes, and one of three Big Ten players, to make the John R. Wooden Award Watch List. The award goes annually to the nation's best player.
He leads IU in scoring (16.4 points), rebounding (8.2) and blocks (2.7). He shoots 63.4 percent from the field.
Thompson has elevated his play in Jackson-Davis' absence. In the three games Jackson-Davis has missed, Thompson averages 14.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks while shooting 64.3 percent from the field.
In his last four games, Thompson has averaged 12.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. He's also made five of 11 three-point attempts.
As far as dealing with the long break, Woodson says he wanted to return to the old-school holiday practice ways under coach Bob Knight, when players stayed in Bloomington and practiced. Instead, they got three to four days to go home and spend time with their families.
"Guys that are a little banged up, like Trayce, it gave them an opportunity to (rest)," Woodson says. "We came back and went to work while other teams were playing."
Iowa, which opened the season 6-1, has lost three straight, including a stunning 93-82 home upset against Eastern Illinois. It is 8-6 overall, and 0-3 in the Big Ten.
The Hawkeyes have four double-figure scorers, led by Kris Murray (20.4 points, 9.8 rebounds) and Filip Rebraca (14.1, 8.4). They shoot just 31.7 percent from three-point range.
However, third-leading scorer Patrick McCaffery, the son of head coach Fran McCaffery, is taking a leave of absence to address his mental health. He averages 12.8 points.
Woodson isn't fooled by Iowa's struggles. He knows how challenging Thursday night will be. The Hawkeyes won both games against IU last season, including in the finals of the Big Ten tourney.
"I've experienced it all in the NBA in terms of teams that struggle," he says. "Those are the most dangerous teams because their backs are against the wall."
Woodson doesn't want a repeat of the Arizona and Kansas performances, when the Hoosiers were dominated from the opening tip. The same was true of their loss at Rutgers.
"You've got to show up and compete. You can't have games like Kansas and Arizona and Rutgers. You've got to at least fight and put yourself in position to win."
Woodson pushes a play-harder-and-tougher theme.
"I'm always looking to motivate and push guys, but sometimes that's got to come from within. I can't play for them.
"We've got to make sure not only do we get off to a good start, but we maintain it throughout the game."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Make no mistake, Tamar Bates has earned his first-ever college start.
Indiana's sophomore guard is set to end his off-the-bench role Thursday night at Iowa as the No. 15/19 Hoosiers (10-3 overall, 1-1 in the Big Ten) resume conference action after a 13-day break.
Bates is coming off a 19-point effort in IU's last game, a Dec. 23 victory over Kennesaw State. Before that, he set a career high with 22 points against Jackson State and scored a combined 32 points in consecutive early December games against Nebraska and Arizona.
Bates averages 9.2 points and shoots 52.3 percent from the field, 41.7 on three-pointers. He has 20 assists and 13 turnovers.
"Tamar is starting to figure it out," coach Mike Woodson says. "He's done some good things throughout the 13 games that we've played. His minutes are going to increase because we're going to need him to step up and make plays for us."
Bates' improved play isn't an accident. Credit an elite work ethic, says senior forward Race Thompson.
"He's a worker. He's been that way since he got here. He's in the gym every day. He shoots before practice.
"You see it with his pre-practice warmup. He does extra stretching and yoga movements.
"That's a reflection of who he is. He's always putting in the extra time. The way he's played recently is a credit to that. It's not surprising to any of us who see him do it every day."
Bates, a former five-star prep prospect, certainly isn't surprised.
"It's not a secret recipe or any mystery. It's putting in the work and knowing the coaches and my teammates have the confidence in me to play my game."
Bates and Trey Galloway will swap roles. Galloway will now come off the bench. Galloway averages 6.2 points and has 18 assists against seven turnovers. He shoots 56.4 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from three-point range.
Starting opportunities for Bates and Galloway come in the wake of senior guard Xavier Johnson's foot injury. He continues to heal from surgery. Woodson hopes he's back before the end of the season.
"I don't think anyone knows what the turnaround is for X right now. Only he will know that, how his body and foot accept the physical therapy he's putting in to get back on the floor."
Woodson can relate. He missed most of his senior season with a back injury. He says doctors told him it was 50/50 if he'd ever play again.
"I was backed in a corner. I had no choice but to push to come back.
"I know he's feeling the same way. It's his last year, his last go-around in college basketball. He's feeling the pressure of getting out on the floor.
"I'm sure X will be smart about his approach in coming back. I wouldn't count him out. He's a tough competitor. He's already doing some things a little ahead of schedule."
Woodson is hopeful All-America forward Trace Jackson-Davis will play against Iowa. He missed the last two non-conference games with minor injuries. Woodson said Jackson-Davis hadn't had much practice contact until Monday.
"I thought he looked pretty good."
The 6-9 Jackson-Davis is one of 25 student athletes, and one of three Big Ten players, to make the John R. Wooden Award Watch List. The award goes annually to the nation's best player.
He leads IU in scoring (16.4 points), rebounding (8.2) and blocks (2.7). He shoots 63.4 percent from the field.
Thompson has elevated his play in Jackson-Davis' absence. In the three games Jackson-Davis has missed, Thompson averages 14.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks while shooting 64.3 percent from the field.
In his last four games, Thompson has averaged 12.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. He's also made five of 11 three-point attempts.
As far as dealing with the long break, Woodson says he wanted to return to the old-school holiday practice ways under coach Bob Knight, when players stayed in Bloomington and practiced. Instead, they got three to four days to go home and spend time with their families.
"Guys that are a little banged up, like Trayce, it gave them an opportunity to (rest)," Woodson says. "We came back and went to work while other teams were playing."
Iowa, which opened the season 6-1, has lost three straight, including a stunning 93-82 home upset against Eastern Illinois. It is 8-6 overall, and 0-3 in the Big Ten.
The Hawkeyes have four double-figure scorers, led by Kris Murray (20.4 points, 9.8 rebounds) and Filip Rebraca (14.1, 8.4). They shoot just 31.7 percent from three-point range.
However, third-leading scorer Patrick McCaffery, the son of head coach Fran McCaffery, is taking a leave of absence to address his mental health. He averages 12.8 points.
Woodson isn't fooled by Iowa's struggles. He knows how challenging Thursday night will be. The Hawkeyes won both games against IU last season, including in the finals of the Big Ten tourney.
"I've experienced it all in the NBA in terms of teams that struggle," he says. "Those are the most dangerous teams because their backs are against the wall."
Woodson doesn't want a repeat of the Arizona and Kansas performances, when the Hoosiers were dominated from the opening tip. The same was true of their loss at Rutgers.
"You've got to show up and compete. You can't have games like Kansas and Arizona and Rutgers. You've got to at least fight and put yourself in position to win."
Woodson pushes a play-harder-and-tougher theme.
"I'm always looking to motivate and push guys, but sometimes that's got to come from within. I can't play for them.
"We've got to make sure not only do we get off to a good start, but we maintain it throughout the game."
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