Indiana University Athletics
Postseason Arrives and IU Ready to Peak
3/7/2024 5:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - One and done is back -- the pressure, the excitement, the opportunity, the March Madness mystique, and this much we know for the Indiana Hoosiers:
The job isn't done.
Indiana faces a two-step process -- this week's Big Ten tourney in Minneapolis, then the NCAA Tournament and a possible opening-round round hosting opportunity -- with championship prospects, health concerns and resolve fueled by last season's disappointing finish.
"We work all off-season, all pre-season and the regular season to get to the postseason," guard Sara Scalia says. "We want to peak at this time. We don't want last year to repeat. We've learned from that. We'll go into the postseason really motivated."
Motivation comes as the Hoosiers wrapped up another dominant regular season with a top-15 national ranking, a second-place Big Ten finish, and a 24-4 record. They are driven by a title-winning purpose and a talented roster that includes a pair of first-team all-conference players in forward Mackenzie Holmes and Scalia, a second-team selection in guard Chloe Moore-McNeil and an honorable mention choice in guard Yarden Garzon. Holmes and Garzon also made the Big Ten all-defensive team for the second straight season.
"Anything can happen in tournament play," coach Teri Moren says. "It's a whole new season, a new opportunity, for every team.
"Regardless of injuries, we have enough to get the job done."
Moren refers to Holmes (knee) and her backup, Lilly Meister (sprained ankle). Both were hurt during Sunday's win over Maryland. Both are rehabbing and listed as day to day as IU prepares for its Big Ten tourney Friday night quarterfinal game in Minneapolis – opponent to be determined.
For Holmes, it's a reoccurring problem -- a kneecap that slides out of place -- including during last year's postseason.
While winning the Big Ten tourney is important, Moren says, "The bigger picture is the NCAA Tournament." That might mean limiting or even not playing Holmes and Meister this weekend.
"We'll do whatever we can to help Mackenzie and Lilly get out there," More says, "but if at any point it's not safe, we won't do it. We'll play with remaining roster.
"If both can go, they will play. We might have to manage their time better. We're trying to get healthy."
If Holmes can't play, IU will go small with Garzon at center surrounded by fellow starters Moore-McNeil, Scalia and Sydney Parrish, plus a rotation of Lexus Bargesser, Julianna LaMendola, Arielle Wisne, Henna Sandvik and Lenée Beaumont.
The 6-3 Garzon, who is the same height as Holmes, replaced her inside last season. That, plus her three-point sharp-shooting (56 three-pointers) and all-around game (86 assists) would make her a matchup challenge for most post players.
"The great thing about having Yarden is that she's super smart," Moren says. "We can move her in a lot of different spots. She's not small. She can easily play a 5.
"She had to do this a little bit last year when Mackenzie went out. It's not new to Yarden. It's fun to have a player like her you can move around because of her IQ, because of her size, because of her passing ability.
"She has the potential to create matchup problems for other 5s that have to guard her. I hope we don't have to go to it, but our staff feels good about what she can be in that position."
The Big Ten has been dominated this season by the No. 12 Hoosiers, No. 3 Iowa (26-4) and No. 4 Ohio State (25-4). The Buckeyes won the conference regular-season title, with IU and the Hawkeyes tying for second.
The Hoosiers are aiming for their second conference tourney title and first since 2002, when Heather Cassady was the MVP.
Championship opportunities are why Scalia transferred from Minnesota to Indiana.
"The big thing for me was winning," she says. "That's what Indiana does. That's what Coach Moren does. It's fun being part of team that is committed to winning."
Winning a title this weekend could mean beating Iowa andOhio State in IU's final two games. That would include a likely 15-hour turnaround between the Friday night and Saturday afternoon games.
"The timing stinks if we win (Friday night)," Moren says. "We know preparing for that next opponent on Saturday will be almost no time. We'll do nothing at full speed. Just a walk-through."
IU's schedule and experience have helped prepare it for such a mental and physical grind.
"We have an experienced group," Moren says. "From a coaching perspective, you feel confident in your players. Your practices aren't as long, anywhere from an hour to 75 minutes.
"You want to go in with fresh minds, fresh bodies, fresh legs. We've tapered back a lot going down the stretch in terms of managing their time. What we've done has worked for us."
Extra motivation comes from last season's tough closing stretch. Indiana lost three of its final five games -- an 86-85 heartbreaker at Iowa on a last-second Caitlin Clark three-pointer, a 79-75 Big Ten tourney semifinal loss to Ohio State and a 70-68 NCAA tourney second-round home defeat to Miami of Florida.
"We all remember what we felt last year," Garzon says. "We want to show in this postseason that we learned. We don't want to feel the same."
More is convinced IU has done enough to earn the right to host opening round games regardless of Big Ten tourney results. Pairings and sites won't be announced until the upcoming Selection Show.
"I think our resume, our year, speaks for itself with what we've done," says Moren, whose Hoosiers are 15-0 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall this season. "It's about trying to protect home court advantage. We want to host. That's only thing is on our minds. I feel we're in a good position."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - One and done is back -- the pressure, the excitement, the opportunity, the March Madness mystique, and this much we know for the Indiana Hoosiers:
The job isn't done.
Indiana faces a two-step process -- this week's Big Ten tourney in Minneapolis, then the NCAA Tournament and a possible opening-round round hosting opportunity -- with championship prospects, health concerns and resolve fueled by last season's disappointing finish.
"We work all off-season, all pre-season and the regular season to get to the postseason," guard Sara Scalia says. "We want to peak at this time. We don't want last year to repeat. We've learned from that. We'll go into the postseason really motivated."
Motivation comes as the Hoosiers wrapped up another dominant regular season with a top-15 national ranking, a second-place Big Ten finish, and a 24-4 record. They are driven by a title-winning purpose and a talented roster that includes a pair of first-team all-conference players in forward Mackenzie Holmes and Scalia, a second-team selection in guard Chloe Moore-McNeil and an honorable mention choice in guard Yarden Garzon. Holmes and Garzon also made the Big Ten all-defensive team for the second straight season.
"Anything can happen in tournament play," coach Teri Moren says. "It's a whole new season, a new opportunity, for every team.
"Regardless of injuries, we have enough to get the job done."
Moren refers to Holmes (knee) and her backup, Lilly Meister (sprained ankle). Both were hurt during Sunday's win over Maryland. Both are rehabbing and listed as day to day as IU prepares for its Big Ten tourney Friday night quarterfinal game in Minneapolis – opponent to be determined.
For Holmes, it's a reoccurring problem -- a kneecap that slides out of place -- including during last year's postseason.
While winning the Big Ten tourney is important, Moren says, "The bigger picture is the NCAA Tournament." That might mean limiting or even not playing Holmes and Meister this weekend.
"We'll do whatever we can to help Mackenzie and Lilly get out there," More says, "but if at any point it's not safe, we won't do it. We'll play with remaining roster.
"If both can go, they will play. We might have to manage their time better. We're trying to get healthy."
If Holmes can't play, IU will go small with Garzon at center surrounded by fellow starters Moore-McNeil, Scalia and Sydney Parrish, plus a rotation of Lexus Bargesser, Julianna LaMendola, Arielle Wisne, Henna Sandvik and Lenée Beaumont.
The 6-3 Garzon, who is the same height as Holmes, replaced her inside last season. That, plus her three-point sharp-shooting (56 three-pointers) and all-around game (86 assists) would make her a matchup challenge for most post players.
"The great thing about having Yarden is that she's super smart," Moren says. "We can move her in a lot of different spots. She's not small. She can easily play a 5.
"She had to do this a little bit last year when Mackenzie went out. It's not new to Yarden. It's fun to have a player like her you can move around because of her IQ, because of her size, because of her passing ability.
"She has the potential to create matchup problems for other 5s that have to guard her. I hope we don't have to go to it, but our staff feels good about what she can be in that position."
The Big Ten has been dominated this season by the No. 12 Hoosiers, No. 3 Iowa (26-4) and No. 4 Ohio State (25-4). The Buckeyes won the conference regular-season title, with IU and the Hawkeyes tying for second.
The Hoosiers are aiming for their second conference tourney title and first since 2002, when Heather Cassady was the MVP.
Championship opportunities are why Scalia transferred from Minnesota to Indiana.
"The big thing for me was winning," she says. "That's what Indiana does. That's what Coach Moren does. It's fun being part of team that is committed to winning."
Winning a title this weekend could mean beating Iowa andOhio State in IU's final two games. That would include a likely 15-hour turnaround between the Friday night and Saturday afternoon games.
"The timing stinks if we win (Friday night)," Moren says. "We know preparing for that next opponent on Saturday will be almost no time. We'll do nothing at full speed. Just a walk-through."
IU's schedule and experience have helped prepare it for such a mental and physical grind.
"We have an experienced group," Moren says. "From a coaching perspective, you feel confident in your players. Your practices aren't as long, anywhere from an hour to 75 minutes.
"You want to go in with fresh minds, fresh bodies, fresh legs. We've tapered back a lot going down the stretch in terms of managing their time. What we've done has worked for us."
Extra motivation comes from last season's tough closing stretch. Indiana lost three of its final five games -- an 86-85 heartbreaker at Iowa on a last-second Caitlin Clark three-pointer, a 79-75 Big Ten tourney semifinal loss to Ohio State and a 70-68 NCAA tourney second-round home defeat to Miami of Florida.
"We all remember what we felt last year," Garzon says. "We want to show in this postseason that we learned. We don't want to feel the same."
More is convinced IU has done enough to earn the right to host opening round games regardless of Big Ten tourney results. Pairings and sites won't be announced until the upcoming Selection Show.
"I think our resume, our year, speaks for itself with what we've done," says Moren, whose Hoosiers are 15-0 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall this season. "It's about trying to protect home court advantage. We want to host. That's only thing is on our minds. I feel we're in a good position."
Players Mentioned
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