Bloomington (IN)—Indiana fans had a vision for this team. After years of playing through the post, Mike Woodson set out to improve his roster through the transfer portal– and improve he did. Woodson’s portal guards, sophomore Myles Rice and sophomore Kannan Carlyle, came into the game shooting a combined 7-of-21 from the field, leaving much of Hoosier nation wondering: Did Coach Woodson swing and miss in the portal once again?
On November 16, in a match against the South Carolina Gamecocks, those questions were answered.
Right from the get-go, Myles Rice was in control, drilling the Hoosier’s first triple of the game, following with a transition dime to Makenzie MgBako, and setting the overall tone for Indiana’s pace of play. With 23 points, 4 rebounds, and three assists, Rice led the team in two of the three main statistical categories. Not to mention shooting 3-4 from three, and being seemingly perfect from the charity stripe, both areas which have plagued the Hoosiers in years past.
Rice’s portal counterpart, Kanaan Carlyle, logged his best game as a Hoosier as well. Searching for answers offensively, Carlyle had shown the ability to be a defensive stopper for Indiana, marketing himself well for Hoosier fans. In the Nov 16 game, Carlyle found his stroke. As one of the five Hoosiers in double figures, Carlyle contributed a triple in each half, along with a pair of assists.
On the inside, it proved to be a battle for Indiana. Forward Malik Reneau and center Oumar Ballo entered the game as key cogs in Indiana’s offensive gameplan. Although Indiana’s big men combined for just 20 points—underwhelming by their standards—the impact of the Hoosier Heavies could not be underestimated. Ballo led all rebounders with 13, impacting the Gamecocks' offense with 6 blocks.
It was a performance that on paper was expected from Indiana, using their loaded portal class, and steady contribution from returning players forward Mackenzie MgBako and guard Trey Galloway. The Hoosiers overwhelmed South Carolina, holding projected lottery pick Collin Murray-Boyles to just 2 points, on 1 of 4 shooting, fouling out with almost 9 minutes remaning.
Indiana is back in action Thursday night, Nov 21, when they play host to the UNC Greensboro Spartans.
