Indiana looking for quality wins

BLOOMINGTON – Indiana heads to the Bahamas this week with a lot to gain – and a lot to prove.

The Hoosiers have placed virtually all of their non-conference emphasis on their first-ever trip to Battle 4 Atlantis, and they can’t afford to come home without picking up some quality wins from a Thanksgiving feast on Paradise Island.

What makes this holiday tournament trip a successful vacation? Five thoughts…

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Greater consistency

We saw that with four wins in four games idea of Indiana broke through the clouds. Stretching when the Hoosiers are virtually unplayable due to their talent and experience on both ends of the floor, while even a quality opponent like South Carolina simply looked overwhelmed.

However, we haven’t seen it often enough.

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In a way, that’s okay. No basketball team is likely to be fully formed in November. Anyone who tries their best now will be in big trouble in March.

But IU needs it this week. A sensible path through this tournament involves games against top 50 competition at least once, and probably several times. That means an opportunity, but it also means that the previous interactions still need to be smoothed out somewhat. Those windows to what Indiana could be need to be opened a little wider this week.

Point guard play

Myles Rice was outstanding in the first four games. Trey Galloway had his moments as he continued his steady progress back to full fitness following offseason knee surgery. Indiana will need its best this week.

In such situations, the players with their creativity and experience are crucial. The sight lines are strange. The entire environment can make photography difficult. An additional advantage is given to teams that force the ball to the rim and can either finish the ball or draw a foul (or both).

In basketball, the principle always applies that guards win games. But at neutral sites, when certain elements of a team’s offense might be compromised, the ability to force action and either score or create a move down – something both Galloway and Rice have shown their prowess at – invaluable. Both players must deliver in the Bahamas.

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Rebound the ball

It was a problem too often last season, and it’s been a problem too often this season.

Yes, Indiana plays smaller. And yes, games like UNC Greensboro can get a little out of hand in that regard when an overpowering opponent throws away and chases because he knows there’s little point in attacking the ring.

But a team with IU’s size and athleticism can’t be below 200 in its opponent’s offensive rebound rate. The Hoosiers can’t afford to be this bad at breaking up possessions. This team will undermine its offensive improvement and athletic advantages if it continues to be so poor on the glass.

Indiana doesn’t have to be dominant here (and probably never will be). That’s not how the Hoosiers are built. But they are and must be better than before in this area, and three games in three days against demanding competition requires immediate improvement.

The continued growth of Mackenzie Mgbako

Indiana’s leading scorer had his quietest game of the season on Thursday, scoring just nine points on 2 of 11 shooting and seeing his playing time eaten up in the second half by Bryson Tucker’s performance off the bench. Everyone is allowed to have a bad day at the office.

But Mgbako would do well to make sure he leaves them at home this week. Mgbako, IU’s most dynamic offensive player to start the season, has shown three-level scoring potential that few players with his size and athleticism can match.

Few teams, even good ones, have enough coverage for a 6-8 winger who can shoot from multiple levels and finish at the rim like Mgbako does. Combine that with improved rebounding and defense, and Mgbako may be this team’s biggest individual game-changer.

As a microcosm of his team’s task at this time of year, Mgbako must strive for consistency in these areas. Make sure there are few free nights. Find ways to influence the game in a variety of ways and adapt the way he scores to your opponent’s problems.

This week is a good test for Indiana and certainly a good test for Mackenzie Mgbako. Both will be able to see their ceiling better in Atlantis.

Quality wins

It is the simplest and most important storyline that follows Indiana to the islands.

The Hoosiers are putting all their faith in this tournament to increase the quality of their non-conference NCAA Tournament. Barring a surprise breakout from South Carolina, IU probably won’t beat anyone significant from a NET perspective anywhere other than Atlantis.

That represents a calculated gamble for Mike Woodson, whose program has learned the hard way how far a low-calorie nonconference resume can put a team behind eight balls from an NCAA Tournament perspective. The Hoosiers can’t repeat that this year.

This means they have to make hay in the sunshine in Atlantis. Louisville could stand as a decent win, somewhere between Quads 1 and 2. Gonzaga and/or Arizona would be worthy scalps. Oklahoma, Providence and West Virginia could all be on time.

Regardless of performance, Indiana needs to leave the Bahamas with some wins or there will still be a lot of work to do in conference play to ensure that Selection Sunday isn’t a stressful experience.

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