Inconsistency. It’s a word that’s been used extensively to describe Indiana men’s basketball throughout its 2024-25 season.
On Jan. 8, the Hoosiers were 13-3 and climbing toward the top of the Big Ten. They lost seven of their next eight games.
On Feb. 8, Indiana was 14-10 and rapidly falling out of NCAA Tournament contention. It’s won four of its last five games and is currently among the “Last Four In” in ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s latest projection.
A common denominator for the Hoosiers’ record swings is offensive success. The Hoosiers are 17-3 when scoring they score at least 71 points. They’re 1-7 when they fail to reach that benchmark.
When Indiana’s scoring attack runs through its frontcourt and plays with confidence, quality possessions occur. The Hoosiers showcased both of those principles in their 78-62 win over Washington on Saturday at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle.
“We’ve been playing much, much better basketball,” Indiana head coach Mike Woodson said postgame. “These last three games, these guys have come and showed up.”
With just under 15 minutes remaining in the first half, fifth-year senior guard Trey Galloway received a pass on the perimeter, and within seconds, the ball left his hands. Sixth-year center Oumar Ballo had position in the post and — equally as important — Galloway recognized his open teammate.
Almost as soon as the ball left Galloway’s hands entered Ballo’s, it descended through the basket for an easy layup.
Ballo and junior forward Malik Reneau provide Indiana with dominant scoring threats in the paint, averaging 13.7 and 12.8 points per game, respectively. Even when they aren’t scoring, their presence routinely forces opponents to divert extra defenders to help in the post, which spaces the floor.
At points in this season, the Hoosiers have struggled to capitalize on their biggest offensive weapons. Redshirt sophomore guard Myles Rice garnered criticism after taking a contested mid-range shot during the closing seconds against Purdue in an 81-76 loss Jan. 31.
However, Indiana’s shown a willingness to stick with its frontcourt-centric scheme during its most recent stretch of success. Ballo posted 20 points and 12 rebounds in the Hoosiers’ 83-78 win over Penn State on Wednesday while Reneau tallied a season-high 22 points against Washington.
While having the correct gameplan is a start, executing it is an added challenge — one the Cream and Crimson have overcome since breaking out of their midseason slump.
Following Indiana’s win over the Huskies, Woodson was asked if he thought his team was playing more freely.
“When you win, it eases the mind, you do things that you think you’re accustomed to doing,” Woodson said. “When you lose, you’re looking over your shoulders. You’re worried about what people are saying.”
That sentiment can be applied to Indiana’s perimeter attack. Senior forward Luke Goode scored 18 points and shot 5 for 9 from beyond the arc against Washington, tying his season-high in made 3-pointers.
Goode is at his best when he doesn’t hesitate to release his shot. He’s at his best when he’s confident.
Now that Indiana is winning games, players like Goode, Galloway and sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako have been aggressive, crashing the lane and attempting 3-pointers in stride. The key for the Hoosiers is that their aggression hasn’t translated into carelessness.
Pushing the court has led to fastbreak points, not turnovers. Driving to the lane has resulted in trips to the free throw line, not contested mid-range jump shots.
Rice and Reneau — who have a combined 44 starts this season — both came off the bench against Washington. They weren’t reckless. Instead, they helped lead the Hoosiers’ second unit that totaled 35 of the team’s 78 points.
With the win, Indiana improved to 18-11 overall and 9-9 in Big Ten play, moving into ninth in the conference standings. The Hoosiers would earn a first round bye in the Big Ten Tournament if they don’t drop below 10th in the standings.
Indiana will close out the regular season with matchups against Oregon on Tuesday and Ohio State on March 8. With the NCAA Tournament’s Selection Sunday inching closer March 16, the Hoosiers will likely need to keep stringing together wins to stay above the bubble’s cutoff.
No matter the opponent, offensive consistency will be crucial for Indiana to complete what once seemed like an unlikely surge into the NCAA Tournament.
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.
