Galloway, Hoosiers Set for Battle 4 Atlantis Challenge

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

PARADISE ISLANDS, BAHAMAS -- Trey Galloway feels good. Does the senior guard feel good enough to play major minutes over the three-games-in-three-days grind that No. 14/15 Indiana will face in this week's Battle 4 Atlantis? We're about to find out.

The Hoosiers (4-0) play Louisville (3-1) on Wednesday in an opening round game of this prestigious eight-team tourney. Also in the field are No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 24 Arizona, West Virginia, Providence, Oklahoma, and Davidson. Opponents in the final two days depend on tourney results.

"Every day, I'm seeing how it feels," said Galloway, who is working back to full strength after offseason knee surgery. "Every day, I keep progressing. Three games in three days are a lot for anybody. I'm staying prepared and ready. My minutes have increased, so I'll see how it goes and how the knee reacts. I feel good."

Galloway averages 17.8 minutes a game. He hasn't played more than 22 minutes or less than 14 this season. He averages 5.5 points with 21 assists against eight turnovers. He's shooting 54.5% from the field and has made two of his three 3-point attempts.

Coach Mike Woodson said he's not sure how much he will play Galloway in the tournament.

"I'm going to continue take it a day at a time with him," Woodson said. "It's a long season. I need Trey in a uniform. I'll take it a game at a time. We'll gage it as we go on. He'll lead me in the right direction as far as what he can and can't do."

Games are set for the Imperial Ballroom at the Atlantis resort. Galloway said the Hoosiers got some practice shooting time there to adjust to the venue.

"Wherever you play," he said, "it's all about shooting with confidence. That's what we have to do. At the end of day, you have to make shots. We're prepared to do that."

IU hasn't played since last Thursday's 69-58 win over UNC-Greensboro. The Hoosiers lost a 16-point first-half lead before taking charge down the stretch. Woodson was unhappy immediately after that game but has since mellowed.

"Our intentions in the last game were fantastic," he said. "We had a great start. Then we dropped the rope and let them back in the game. It's how you respond. We didn't panic. We did what we had to do to secure the win. It's something we can all learn from to make sure that doesn't happen again."

Louisville under first-year coach Pat Kelsey utilizes perimeter-shooting offense and aggressive defense that could test a Hoosier team that starts 7-foot Oumar Ballo and 6-9 Malik Reneau. The Cardinals average 34 3-point attempts and 9.7 steals a game. They have already forced opponents into 76 turnovers, an average of 19.0 per game.

Could Woodson counter by playing a smaller lineup?

"We've gone small some, but not for a lot of big minutes," Woodson said. "We're capable of playing small. Having Ballo and Malik, that's a problem for our opponents. They have to match up to us, as well. We'll see how the game goes.

"In terms of who will and won't play, I don't know the rotation. If you're in uniform, you have to be ready to play when called upon."

Louisville's loss came at home to No. 7 Tennessee, 77-55. It is led by 6-2 senior guard Reyne Smith, who comes off the bench to average 14.8 points. He has made 16-of-38 3-point attempts. Four other Cardinals score in double figures – 6-10 senior forward Kasean Pryor (12.8 points), 6-6 senior wing Terrence Edwards (12.3), 6-2 senior guard Chucky Hepburn (10.5), and 6-6 senior guard J'Vonne Hadley (10.0).

"They are a talented team," Woodson said. "They're well coached. They have guys who can make the long ball. They have active bigs. This will be a big test. I'm anxious to see where we are. We have to compete for 40 minutes and see where it leads us."

Hepburn, who previously played at Wisconsin, averages 4.0 assists as the primary point guard.

"He's like the head of the snake for Louisville in terms of how he runs their team from a defensive and offensive standpoint," Woodson said. "We have to pay close attention to him as well as Louisville's surrounding parts He has a lot of good pieces around him."

Louisville has 10 players averaging at least 11.5 minutes a game, nine averaging at least 16.9. Could Woodson try to counter by going deep into his bench?

"I don't know. I take it a game at a time. Whatever presents itself, I'm here to win. If it means playing 10 guys, eight guys, seven guys, we'll see where the game leads us."

Galloway, Hoosiers Set for Battle 4 Atlantis Challenge

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Players Mentioned

Oumar Ballo

Trey Galloway

Malik Reneau