‘Aggressive’ Play Keys Mgbako’s Improved Performance

Saturday, February 24

University Park, Pa.

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Indiana University

Penn State

‘Aggressive’ Play Keys Mgbako’s Improved Performance

2/24/2024 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Mackenzie Mgbako continues making matchup misery for opponents.

Nebraska paid the latest price. Is Penn State next?

Mgbako, a freshman forward, set career highs in points (22) and minutes (38) against the Cornhuskers on Wednesday night. He leads IU in free throw shooting (83.1%) and in made 3-point baskets (36). He's scored 20 and 22 points in his last two games and has reached double figures in 10 of his last 11 contests. He averages 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds.

His recent success comes from, "Playing more through the offense and taking what the defense gives me," he says. "Being aggressive so I can help out the team."

Beyond that, he says he's driving and "creating and getting to the cup."

Mgbako is 6-8 and 217-pounds with shooting guard skills, although more work is needed. He shoots 39.4% from the field and 31.9% from 3-point range. His defense is also a work in progress.

His free throw shooting is substantially better than IU's other starters -- Malik Reneau (64.5%), Kel'el Ware (64.0), Gabe Cupps (61.5) and Tre Galloway (54.8).

Against Nebraska, Indiana was just 14-for-24 from the line, and 4-for-21 from 3-point range.

The Hoosiers have to be better, Galloway says.

"Going to the line or when we get the chance to make shots, we've got to make them. It's us talking to each other and giving each other confidence and pulling each other up."

All this is crucial as the Hoosiers seek a strong finish to the season. Losses in eight of the last 11 games have them searching for answers. They need more from everyone, including reserves such as Anthony Walker, Kaleb Banks, and Payton Sparks, who didn't play against Nebraska.

Galloway's advice to them is simple.

"Stay ready. We've got five games left, we so we're going to need those guys. They've got to stick together."

Inconsistent point guard play has hurt IU. Coach Mike Woodson continues to point to the loss of point guard Xavier Johnson, who remains out with an elbow injury, as a big reason. That's forced Cupps, a freshman, into a starting point guard role before his time.

"We're young; we're missing our senior point guard; and we're trying to play a freshman at point guard," Woodson says. "It's tough."

Galloway also has played point guard in Johnson's absence. In 39 minutes against Nebraska, mostly at point guard, he totaled eight points, three rebounds, three assists, and six turnovers. The guideline for most point guards is to have at least twice as many assists as turnovers.

"Gallo struggled trying to play the point with his six turnovers," Woodson says. "It's a lot that comes in play with that.

"We played well enough this year in spurts, but not well enough to complete games. That's what makes it frustrating."

IU's 3-point defense remains vulnerable. Nebraska shot 42.4% beyond the arc (14-for-33). The Hoosiers (14-12 overall, 6-9 Big Ten) have allowed 224 3-pointers on the season, an average of 8.6 a game, the worst in the conference.

They will seek a turnaround at Penn State on Saturday. They haven't won at Bryce Jordan Center since 2018, and have lost three straight to the Nittany Lions.

Penn State (13-14, 7-9) is coming off a 90-89 victory over No. 12 Illinois that snapped a three-game losing streak. It already has an 85-71 win over IU at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Against Illinois, the Nittany Lions rallied from a 14-point, second-half deficit, including an 11-point deficit in the final 3:30. The game was played at Rec Hall rather than the Bryce Jordan Center. Nick Kern Jr. had a career-high 22 points.

Guard Ace Baldwin Jr has averaged 17.2 points over his last five games. He averages 13.9 points for the season with a team-leading 150 assists.

The Nittany Lions' leading scorer Kanye Clary has been dismissed from the team. He averaged 16.7 points. Coach Mike Rhoades is in his first season after spending the previous six at VCU.