‘Can’t Wait’ – IU Faces Indianapolis in Exhibition Opener

Sunday, October 29

Bloomington, Ind.

1:00 PM

Indiana University

Indianapolis (Exhibition)

‘Can’t Wait’ – IU Faces Indianapolis in Exhibition Opener

10/29/2023 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

'Can't Wait' – IU Faces Indianapolis in Exhibition Opener

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Mike Woodson doesn't know. How could he? The Indiana Hoosiers could be a basketball powerhouse. The roster is full of elite talent, but with 10 new players and no games to evaluate, nothing is sure entering Sunday's exhibition opener against the University of Indianapolis except this:

"I can't wait until Sunday to see where we are," the IU coach says.

The Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall exhibition will be the first time the Hoosiers will play against somebody other than themselves.

"We got together this summer, the process began, and it's been a lot of work up until this point," Woodson says. "These guys have beat up on each other. I'm anxious to see where we are to give me some indication of things that we need to do to get better and continue to grow."

Veteran guards Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway are the catalysts for a team that includes returning veterans Malik Reneau, Kaleb Banks, and CJ Gunn along with newcomers such as junior forward Payton Sparks, senior forward Anthony Walker, sophomore center Kel'el Ware, freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako and freshman guards Gabe Cupps and Jakai Newton.

Woodson says Galloway and Mgbako, one of the nation's most heralded freshmen, have been the most consistent.

"Everybody else is trying to grow together and trying to figure it out," Woodson says. "We've been all over the board a little bit.

"I haven't had any really major bright spots, but I've had a lot of good spots where guys have played in spurts. That lets me know that we've got a ways to go in putting things together."

Woodson expects big jumps from Reneau (6.1 points, 3.7 rebounds last season), Banks (2.0, 0.9), and Gunn (2.0 points).

"They have grown, but I need more. I need them to play at a much higher level than they've played in the past."

Cupps, a former Ohio Mr. Basketball with a state title on his resume, also has impressed.

"He's been one of the bright spots," Woodson says. "He does everything we ask him to do. He's going to continue to get better and grow once he figures out the college game. He's done a lot of good things in terms of winning basketball plays. He does a lot of things to help you win games."

IU didn't make preseason top-25 polls. Woodson doesn't care.

"We'll start soon and get a feel for where we are and what we need to continue to grow in. You're talking about 10 new faces, six guys that came from different programs and that are trying to figure out me as a coach and all the things that I'm asking them to do.

"Only time will tell. We've got to play the games and see where we are."

IU has made two straight NCAA tournaments, in part because Woodson has thrived as a college recruiter. He's tapped into his NBA playing and coaching background, as well as his ability to develop players.

Convincing All-America forward Trayce Jackson-Davis to stay a Hoosier for two years was big. So was signing such talented players as Jalen Hood-Schifino, Reneau and Mgbako.

Woodson helped develop Jackson-Davis into one of the nation's best players last season as well as one of the best to ever play at IU. Hood-Schifino became a one-and-done first-round NBA pick last summer.
Recruits notice.

As for those who thought Woodson was too old to become an effective college recruiter for the first time in his 60s, well, think again.

"Only you guys were worrying about the age," he says to the media. "That was never a factor when I came in the door. I've been coaching a long time, and I'm healthy enough to coach. Mentally, I'm sharp enough to coach.

"You have to recruit in the pros when you're going after free agency. Some of the same things I'm doing now, I had to do at the pro level.

"You've got to make sure that you're doing your due diligence when you're recruiting a free agent or getting ready to make a trade, that you know what the hell you're doing because it can bite you in the butt.

"My thing was being able to sit at the table with the best players. That's the only thing I was thinking about when I came here; how can I get to the best players?

"My coaching staff gave me their opinions about it early on saying, 'Hey, you've got to wait your turn.' I didn't feel I had to wait my turn. Just get us to the table and let's see what happens.

"We've had some pretty good success being able to recruit and talk to some of the top players. We haven't gotten them all, and you're not. You're going to win some, you're going to lose some. But hell, if you never get an opportunity to talk to the best players, it's not going to work."

As far as Sunday's exhibition, Indianapolis is a national title contender at the NCAA Division II level. The Greyhounds, who went 26-5 last season, are favored to win the Great Lakes Valley Conference, among the nation's top Division II conferences.

Indianapolis is led by returning GLVC player of the year Kendric Tchoua and all-conference selection Jesse Bingham.

The Hoosiers have a second exhibition, against Marian University on Nov. 3, before opening the season on Nov. 7 against Florida Gulf Coast.

"These exhibitions are important for our ball club to grow and get better," Woodson says. "We've done a lot since this summer. I want to see if they've retained what we've taught them and does it carry over into a game.