Indiana Tops Florida Gulf Coast in Season Opener

Tuesday, November 7

Bloomington, Ind.

6:30 PM

Indiana University

1-0,0-0Big Ten

Florida Gulf Coast

0-1,0-0ASUN

FGCU

Indiana

Indiana Tops Florida Gulf Coast in Season Opener

11/7/2023 8:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Postgame Quotes Postgame Notes Watch | Highlights Watch | Mike Woodson Press Conference Watch | IUBB Press Conference Photo Gallery

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Mike Woodson is – always -- a defense-first coach.

And when the Hoosiers needed a spark Tuesday night, when Florida Gulf Coast was having its offensive way for a six-point second-half lead at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, in came freshman guard Gabe Cupps.

Matched with fellow guards Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway, plus forwards Malik Reneau and Kel'el Ware, the lineup change delivered a game-altering 14-0 run that set up a 69-63 season-opening victory.

"He's a winner," coach Mike Woodson said of Cupps. "This was the first time I had the opportunity to play him and X (Johnson) extended minutes together at crunch time.

"I felt comfortable with Gabe. I'd seen him enough. He's capable of making plays. He was tremendous on both ends."

With potential defeat looming, the Hoosiers attacked with defense. They swarmed. They hit the floor with nothing-matters-more urgency.

One Eagle turnover became two, then three, then four. That six-point IU deficit became an 11-point cushion capped by Cupps' first college 3-pointer.

IU would hold on.

"I liked our fight when we got down six," Galloway said. "We made that run with intensity and defense. It's good knowing we have guys willing to fight when things aren't going well.

"We have to be better at not getting in that position, but to climb out of that was huge for us."

Added Woodson: "It was our defense coming down the stretch. The fans got into it. It was enough to bring it home."

Galloway had a team-leading 16 points, with Reneau (15), and Johnson (14) right behind.

In his Hoosier debut after transferring from Oregon, Ware had 13 points and 12 rebounds. He had three blocks in the first half, four assists in the second.

"He plugged the hole for us," Woodson said. "He got blocks. He rebounded. I don't need him to do much more. Keep doing that."

A pause as Woodson considered Ware's 8-for-12 free-throw shooting.

"Make his (darn) free throws. That's what it's all about."

Cupps finished with five points, two rebounds, two steals, and an assist in 19 minutes, but his impact went way beyond numbers.

"He did a great job stepping up at a big-time moment," Galloway said. "He was good at talking and staying poised. We know we can rely and trust him in crunch time."

Even ex-IU All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis, now a rookie with the NBA's Golden State Warriors, tweeted his appreciation.

"Man, I love Gabe's game lol."

Florida Gulf Coast had the advantage in offensive rebounds (13-7) and on second-chance points (15-8). It also had 13 3-pointers to the Hoosiers' four.

Woodson noticed.

"You fix it by reps," he said. "You do it over and over. That's the only way you learn it. Right now, we're guessing. We're thinking too much. That's on me."

Florida Gulf Coast was coached by Pat Chambers, the ex-Penn State head coach whose teams were known for their tough-minded play. It had a state of Indiana connection in guard Isaiah Thompson, a Zionsville High School graduate, and the younger brother of current Purdue assistant coach P.J. Thompson. An injury sidelined him for Tuesday's game.

IU hit four of its first five shots to take a 9-8 lead. Galloway had five of the points. The Hoosiers made it 6-for-7 to push ahead 13-8.

IU was drawing fouls and getting free throw opportunities but struggled to take advantage. Johnson muscled in a layup to put IU ahead 22-16 with 5:24 left in the half.

The Eagles responded with five straight points. The Hoosiers countered with a Ware 3-pointer for a 25-21 Indiana edge.

Florida Gulf Coast took advantage of poor IU free throw shooting for a 26-25 lead. Forward Anthony Walker came through with a pair of free throws. Ware added one. It was enough for a 28-26 Indiana lead.

The Hoosiers opened the second half by attacking inside. In the first four minutes, Reneau had three layups, Galloway had one and Mackenzie Mgbako had an inside jumper.

The problem -- it was only enough for a 38-34 lead.

The Eagles tied it at 40-40 with 13:35 left on their eight three-pointer. They pushed ahead 48-42 with a 10-4 edge on offensive rebounds and a 10-2 advantage in second-chance points.

Woodson called a timeout and put in Cupps with Johnson and Galloway. The result was that defense-fueled 14-0 run. Cupps' three-pointer made it 61-50.

Galloway's spinning layup restored a double-digit lead, but IU needed three late Johnson free throws to seal the victory.

"We did a good job down the stretch of finding ways to get stops," Galloway said, "but we've got to be better the whole game. We know what we need to do. Find ways to be better."

As seniors and team captains, Galloway and Johnson are expected to lead the way.

"We have the experience," Galloway said. "We know what it takes to win at the highest level. We know it won't be easy, just like it wasn't tonight. We have to focus on the task at hand."

Next up is a Sunday night home game against Army.

"Every night come out and play hard and try our best to win," Ware said. "Show the fans what this team is capable of."