After an eight-day break, Indiana men’s basketball returned to the floor Sunday as it took on Winthrop University.
While the Hoosiers ultimately emerged with a 77-68 victory over the Eagles, they did so without sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo, who had started in all 12 previous games this season.
Ballo was initially listed as questionable and dressed for warmups but did not participate. He watched the contest from the Hoosiers’ bench.
An X post, now with over 350,000 views, was shared just over two hours before tipoff. It appeared to show Ballo in the background of a photo, which was claimed to have been taken Saturday night at the Upstairs Pub on Kirkwood Avenue. Connor Onion and Shon Morris — the Big Ten Network’s commentators Sunday — reported Ballo was out with a “lower-body injury.”
“I'm not going to address that,” Indiana head coach Mike Woodson said postgame of Ballo’s absence. “But didn't have a lot of lead time. But that doesn't matter.”
Senior forward Luke Goode slotted into the starting lineup as junior forward Malik Reneau shifted to start at center.
In Ballo’s absence, senior center Langdon Hatton, who entered Sunday averaging just 4.4 minutes per contest, played for a season-high 26 minutes and notched 7 points and 11 rebounds.
Hatton explained postgame he was informed by the coaching staff Sunday morning that Ballo would be questionable for play that afternoon. In the Georgetown, Indiana, native’s increased role, Woodson thought he “played his butt off.”
Indiana now has four days until it’s slated to host Rutgers at 8:30 p.m. Thursday inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
“Guys that are in uniform have got to play, and (Ballo) didn't play tonight,” Woodson said. “We'll sit down tomorrow and address his situation and get ready for Rutgers.”
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa) and columnist Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
