Second Half Surge Lifts Indiana Over UIndy, 74-52

Sunday, October 29

Bloomington, Ind.

1:00 PM

Indiana University

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Indianapolis (Exhibition)

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UIndy

Indiana

Second Half Surge Lifts Indiana Over UIndy, 74-52

10/29/2023 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – It lacked Watshot drama, but Kel'el Ware's game-closing three-pointer suggested diverse perimeter potential is in Indiana's basketball future.

The 7-foot center, a heralded transfer from Oregon, hit his only three-point attempt to cap Sunday's 74-52 exhibition debut victory over the University of Indianapolis at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. That gave him 14 points to match the point total (and three-pointer) of heralded 6-8 freshman Mackenzie Mgbako.

Granted, the 3-for-10 three-point team effort reflected work is needed, but that was true of so many things given IU trailed 27-25 at halftime and struggled to make layups.

Coach Mike Woodson noticed.

"We were tight to start the game," he said. "Guys were not familiar with each other. It was the first time playing in front of a crowd.

"We missed so many layups and couldn't make free throws. We finally started playing Indiana basketball."

The result was a dominating final 20 minutes -- 65.5 percent shooting from the field, 3-for-6 on three-pointers -- as IU improved to 30-0 in exhibition games against non-Division I opponents since 2004.

"That first half was the best thing that could have happened to us," forward Anthony Walker said. "We need to play our best against everybody. To take that punch, come together and come through was really important."

So was taking advantage of inside opportunities, which was not happening in the first half.

"We've got a 7-footer, a player who's 6-10, another who's 6-9 and a couple at 6-8," Woodson said. "We were at the rim and the ball was not going in. I told them, we were too soft. Be tougher. Will the ball in. You don't hope it goes in. Put it in there."

IU's debut starting lineup of Xavier Johnson, Trey Galloway, Malik Reneau, Ware and Mgbako was challenged by an Indianapolis team with NCAA Division II national title aspirations.

"Indianapolis plays hard," Woodson said. "They won 26 games last season. They played butts off."

IU's first half of 32.3 percent shooting, 0-of-4 from three-point with seven assists and seven turnovers suggested the work required before the Nov. 7 season opener against Gulf Coast.

That was only slightly better than Indianapolis, which shot 31.3 percent with seven assists and eight turnovers. The Greyhounds hit six three-pointers for that two-point halftime lead.

Woodson wasn't pleased.

"We had a nice halftime talk," he said.

Or, as Walker put it, "The real Coach Woody came out. He wanted us to play the way he's been coaching us. That's what we did."

IU's 28-7 edge in fast-break points -- and the fact it finished with 21 assists against 10 turnovers -- wasn't by accident. Woodson wants his Hoosiers to thrive in transition.

"Getting the ball out has been a big emphasis," he said. "The way we try to play, X doesn't always have to be the guy who leads the break. Our bigs can push it.

"I don't want to live in a halfcourt game. We have enough talented guys who can make plays."

IU's 50-18 edge in points in the paint reflected the way Woodson wants to maximize his team's length. Five key players are at least 6-8.

"Everybody can guard the 1 (point guard) through the 4 (power forward)," sophomore guard CJ Gunn said. "That differentiates us from everybody else."

Then there's defense, the foundation for a Woodson-coached team. Freshman guard Gabe Cupps helped set the second-half tone.

"Gabe got that second unit around him and we started to defend," Woodson said. "We got the lead we needed to have."

Nine Hoosiers played at least 11 minutes, and it would have been 10 if forward Payton Sparks hadn't sprained his ankle in the second half.

"As a coach, I've always stressed that the second unit is just as important as the first," Woodson said. "I've tried to build teams that way. If we're not getting it from the first unit, we can get it from the second.

"I'm trying to build a team that when called upon, they're ready to play. The second unit really responded."

Indianapolis opened the scoring with a three-pointer. IU countered with baskets from Reneau and Galloway (off a Johnson assist).

The Hoosiers got plenty of early layup opportunities but struggled to make them.

After eight minutes, it was a 5-5 tie.

Gunn hit a free throw and a jumper. Sparks made a spinning hook shot. Gunn made a reverse layup off a Sparks assists, then got a dunk off a steal. IU edged ahead 17-11 with six minutes left in the half. Indianapolis tied it at 19-19 with four minutes remaining.

A three-point play by Indy forward Paul Zilinskas with 27 seconds left was enough to give the Greyhounds a 27-25 halftime lead. Gunn led the Hoosiers with seven points.

The Woodson message was clear – play harder, get the ball inside.

Message received.

IU opened the second half with inside baskets from Reneau and Ware, and a Johnson steal and layup for a 31-29 Hoosier lead.

The Hoosiers kept attacking inside. Reneau, Ware and Johnson scored. Then Johnson hit IU's first three-pointer. Reneau dunked off a Mgbako assist. IU led 42-34, then 53-38.

A mini scare came late in the game when Sparks twisted an ankle while driving for a layup. The crowd went silent. After a minute, he got up and smiled.

"He's a tough dude," Woodson said.