Tuesday, December 19
Bloomington, Ind.
6:30 PM
Indiana University
vs
Morehead State
IU Aims to Bring the ‘Fight’ to Morehead State
12/19/2023 2:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Life after Kansas finds Indiana facing three more non-conference games before Big Ten play resumes, but no self-doubt.
As a co-captain along with Xavier Johnson, guard Trey Galloway sees to that.
"We're only going to get better from here on out," he says.
The Hoosiers (7-3) host Morehead State (8-3) on Tuesday night and North Alabama (6-6) on Thursday night. They also host Kennesaw State (8-3) on Dec. 29 before resuming Big Ten play at Nebraska on Jan. 3.
On Saturday, IU led one of the nation's best teams for 35 minutes at a sold-out Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. It defended, rebounded, and attacked at elite levels. If the Hoosiers can figure out those last five minutes, all things are possible.
"We've got fight," Galloway says. "We've got guys who are willing to compete."
IU did that while starting two true freshmen in forward Mackenzie Mgbako and guard Gabe Cupps against a veteran lineup.
"We're still getting them to come along," Galloway says. "They're doing a great job.
"The biggest thing is, down the stretch, you've got to be the more poised team and make winning plays."
Killer instinct is crucial. The Hoosiers didn't have enough of it against Kansas, but plenty of opportunities remain.
Limiting turnovers, especially in crunch time, is a good place to start. Galloway had a season-high five of them against Kansas. He'd had six total in his previous five games.
"Down the stretch, we have to do a better job of taking care of the ball," Galloway says. "Against a team like Kansas, which is talented and poised, you can't just let them hang around. We have to put them away when we get the chance."
Galloway's career-high 28 points didn't deliver a victory against Kansas, but it did offer a blueprint for future success, especially if Johnson remains sidelined by injury, and other teams duplicate the Jayhawks' strategy of double-teaming center Kel'el Ware and forward Malik Reneau.
Galloway regained his 3-point shooting stroke by making 2-of-4 attempts after going 0-for-12 from beyond the arc in his previous five games. His 3-pointer with 54 seconds left got IU within 71-69. Thirty-one seconds later, he missed a 3-pointer than would have put the Hoosiers ahead by one.
He has no second thoughts.
"I thought it was good. Not all shots fall. The next opportunity I get, I'm going to shoot it again and make sure I make it."
Galloway averages 10.7 points this season with five double-figure scoring games.
"I've got to keep trusting my work because I work hard for this. I know I'm going to be able to make shots. The next one I get, I'm going to make sure I knock it down."
Galloway says that trust includes ensuring the Hoosiers stick to the game plan no matter what second-half adjustments opponents make.
"We've got to keep flowing in the second half, keep playing our game. We can't let them affect what we do if they change certain things.
"Just lock in on our game plan and stick with it."
Morehead State has won six straight games. It has won at least 20 games for three-straight seasons, just the second time in program history, under head coach Preston Spradlin.
Its losses are to Alabama, Purdue and Penn State.
The Eagles have four double-figure scorers in guards Riley Minix (17.5 points), Jordan Lathon (12.5), Drew Thelwell (11.8) and Kalil Thomas (11.5). Lathon is a Texas-El Paso transfer.
Morehead State has five players rebounding at least 4.4 a game, led by the 6-7 Minix (8.5) and 7-foot forward Dieonte Miles (6.6). It has five players with at least 11 3-point baskets, and two shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc -- Lathan at 42.2%, and Thomas at 43.9%.
The Eagles have blocked 58 shots, led by guard Eddie Ricks' 15.
As for IU, it's about building momentum for the Big Ten. It's the only team with a 2-0 conference record. Illinois, Northwestern, and Wisconsin are 1-0.
"I'm going to always have confidence in my team," coach Mike Woodson says. "We just have to go back to work."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Life after Kansas finds Indiana facing three more non-conference games before Big Ten play resumes, but no self-doubt.
As a co-captain along with Xavier Johnson, guard Trey Galloway sees to that.
"We're only going to get better from here on out," he says.
The Hoosiers (7-3) host Morehead State (8-3) on Tuesday night and North Alabama (6-6) on Thursday night. They also host Kennesaw State (8-3) on Dec. 29 before resuming Big Ten play at Nebraska on Jan. 3.
On Saturday, IU led one of the nation's best teams for 35 minutes at a sold-out Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. It defended, rebounded, and attacked at elite levels. If the Hoosiers can figure out those last five minutes, all things are possible.
"We've got fight," Galloway says. "We've got guys who are willing to compete."
IU did that while starting two true freshmen in forward Mackenzie Mgbako and guard Gabe Cupps against a veteran lineup.
"We're still getting them to come along," Galloway says. "They're doing a great job.
"The biggest thing is, down the stretch, you've got to be the more poised team and make winning plays."
Killer instinct is crucial. The Hoosiers didn't have enough of it against Kansas, but plenty of opportunities remain.
Limiting turnovers, especially in crunch time, is a good place to start. Galloway had a season-high five of them against Kansas. He'd had six total in his previous five games.
"Down the stretch, we have to do a better job of taking care of the ball," Galloway says. "Against a team like Kansas, which is talented and poised, you can't just let them hang around. We have to put them away when we get the chance."
Galloway's career-high 28 points didn't deliver a victory against Kansas, but it did offer a blueprint for future success, especially if Johnson remains sidelined by injury, and other teams duplicate the Jayhawks' strategy of double-teaming center Kel'el Ware and forward Malik Reneau.
Galloway regained his 3-point shooting stroke by making 2-of-4 attempts after going 0-for-12 from beyond the arc in his previous five games. His 3-pointer with 54 seconds left got IU within 71-69. Thirty-one seconds later, he missed a 3-pointer than would have put the Hoosiers ahead by one.
He has no second thoughts.
"I thought it was good. Not all shots fall. The next opportunity I get, I'm going to shoot it again and make sure I make it."
Galloway averages 10.7 points this season with five double-figure scoring games.
"I've got to keep trusting my work because I work hard for this. I know I'm going to be able to make shots. The next one I get, I'm going to make sure I knock it down."
Galloway says that trust includes ensuring the Hoosiers stick to the game plan no matter what second-half adjustments opponents make.
"We've got to keep flowing in the second half, keep playing our game. We can't let them affect what we do if they change certain things.
"Just lock in on our game plan and stick with it."
Morehead State has won six straight games. It has won at least 20 games for three-straight seasons, just the second time in program history, under head coach Preston Spradlin.
Its losses are to Alabama, Purdue and Penn State.
The Eagles have four double-figure scorers in guards Riley Minix (17.5 points), Jordan Lathon (12.5), Drew Thelwell (11.8) and Kalil Thomas (11.5). Lathon is a Texas-El Paso transfer.
Morehead State has five players rebounding at least 4.4 a game, led by the 6-7 Minix (8.5) and 7-foot forward Dieonte Miles (6.6). It has five players with at least 11 3-point baskets, and two shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc -- Lathan at 42.2%, and Thomas at 43.9%.
The Eagles have blocked 58 shots, led by guard Eddie Ricks' 15.
As for IU, it's about building momentum for the Big Ten. It's the only team with a 2-0 conference record. Illinois, Northwestern, and Wisconsin are 1-0.
"I'm going to always have confidence in my team," coach Mike Woodson says. "We just have to go back to work."
Players Mentioned
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