The Crimson Quarry - All Postsncaa's #1 all-time march madness bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48639/crimson-fave.png2024-03-17T20:13:19-04:00http://www.crimsonquarry.com/rss/current/2024-03-17T20:13:19-04:002024-03-17T20:13:19-04:00Indiana women’s basketball draws 4-seed, set to host games in Bloomington
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: The Herald-Times" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tqBnHh6s0tCL4L4pNcV-zhzJoJU=/0x0:2000x1333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214110/usa_today_21919411.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Hoosiers will take on Fairfield in the first round.</p> <p id="tQt1A0">Indiana women’s basketball has drawn a 4-seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament and will host first and second round games in Bloomington.</p>
<p id="vm0gYE">The Hoosiers finished 24-5, 15-3 in Big Ten play and had a perfect 15-0 record in Assembly Hall this past season. They’ll face 13-seed Fairfield in the opening round. Should they advance, they’ll get the winner of 5-seed Oklahoma vs. 12-seed Florida Gulf Coast.</p>
<p id="ZEekbM">The stags are not to be taken lightly. They were 31-1 overall in the regular season and have won 29 straight games. The two faced off in December 2021 in what was a sound win for Indiana, but Fairfield wasn’t nearly the team nor program that it has become.</p>
<p id="BIDBYZ">The Stags hired Minnesota associate head coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis as head coach in April 2022. She worked with current Hoosier and former Golden Gopher Sara Scalia during her time in the Big Ten and will get looks for high major openings this offseason.</p>
<p id="etQjyW">This extends the Hoosiers’ hosting streak to three straight years. For reference, Indiana has ten total appearances in the NCAA Tournament in program history.</p>
https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/17/24104375/indiana-womens-basketball-draws-4-seed-set-to-host-games-in-bloomingtonL.C.Norton2024-03-17T17:30:00-04:002024-03-17T17:30:00-04:00Indiana men’s basketball: 2024 offseason news tracker
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Nebraska at Indiana" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/V2gsTSxC7gAU9Wn7kdlAYkENKj4=/0x0:3896x2597/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213718/usa_today_22582328.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Tracking the Hoosiers’ news and updates throughout the 2024 offseason</p> <p id="mZx1BK">With Indiana men’s basketball’s season drawing to a close without heading to the NIT, the offseason has officially begun in Bloomington.</p>
<p id="epaMrR">There will be transfer moves, NBA decisions to make, and plenty more updates as the 2024-25 roster takes shape. Without an incoming freshman class, the Hoosiers will have to rely almost entirely on the portal to rebuild the team.</p>
<p id="7q85ZB">This page will track any and all updates on the Hoosiers’ offseason, including:</p>
<ul>
<li id="3vXddn">Transfer portal entrants</li>
<li id="UZjWtU">Transfer portal prospect news and commitments</li>
<li id="TK7tTV">Any potential staff moves, Indiana has made offseason hires during Mike Woodson’s first two seasons</li>
<li id="ErZIYv">Press conferences, if applicable</li>
</ul>
<p id="UFvfak">Additionally, continue to follow our <a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/15/24102248/indiana-mens-basketball-transfer-portal-target-tracker">transfer portal prospect tracker</a>. We’ll be keeping tabs on who the program shows interest in to try and piece together a portal strategy for the program.</p>
<h2 id="5Y1BI0"></h2>
<h2 id="mCFDcb"><strong>Indiana portal entrants</strong></h2>
<ul><li id="rWyeeW"><strong>N/A</strong></li></ul>
<p id="Lqnj3M"></p>
<h2 id="BaFGL5"><strong>Indiana portal commitments</strong></h2>
<ul><li id="QhMF3s"><strong>N/A</strong></li></ul>
https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/17/24103215/indiana-mens-basketball-2024-offseason-news-trackerL.C.Norton2024-03-17T16:00:00-04:002024-03-17T16:00:00-04:00Indiana men’s basketball and Mike Woodson’s most important offseason yet
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Quarterfinal-Indiana vs Nebraska" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4VwznMQ9RyKgRRGifT7a1USQ-MQ=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213628/usa_today_22787754.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Hoosiers face their biggest test of Mike Woodson’s tenure.</p> <p id="iobbvR">How a year can change things.</p>
<p id="lZsTcm">Around this time 365 days ago, Indiana men’s basketball appeared to have some positive momentum for the first time since... 2016? Maybe the Archie Miller honeymoon phase? </p>
<p id="jnldpQ">The Hoosiers locked up a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Trayce Jackson-Davis was a consensus All-American. Jalen Hood-Schifino guided the team to a sweep of Purdue and was NBA-bound.</p>
<p id="NEbrGr">Vibes around the program, all things considered, were pretty good. Last offseason presented a massive reload with a lot of talent from the transfer portal and boom or bust potential for the 2023-24 season as a result.</p>
<p id="3hUYfi">But this wasn’t a boom. It may not have been a bust even, at least on the court.</p>
<p id="EoMkb8">Indiana got blown out, a lot, but still ended up with 19 wins and sixth place in the Big Ten, which is exactly where the preseason media poll had them finishing. How they got there was very, very weird but it happened regardless.</p>
<p id="jVf8hw">Off the court? Oh man.</p>
<p id="zzQhyv">Fan chatter about Mike Woodson’s job status turned into an online fervor that was loud enough to prompt a report that he’d remain for next season. The lone 2024 signee requested out of his letter of intent one day later. </p>
<p id="MkZwrE">It’s important to remember with inside reports that information is power and when it’s released or delivered in a certain way, it’s usually meant to serve a purpose beyond informing the audience. </p>
<p id="CRif4O">Had Indiana collapsed down the stretch to finish below .500, there’s probably a far different conversation to be had. That obviously didn’t happen though, with a five-game winning streak creating a really odd on/off court juxtaposition as to how the program looks instead of everything looking bad.</p>
<p id="VZwdms">Does a blowout loss in the Big Ten Tournament change that at all? Maybe a little, but not nearly that much. </p>
<p id="WfQoio">Things have gone wrong though. Indiana enters the offseason as the only team in the Big Ten without an incoming freshman recruiting class. That hasn’t happened in years and is usually the kind of thing that comes with a coaching change.</p>
<p id="nYByLm">The futures for both Woodson and Indiana as a program hang in the balance in the next month. Moves made in these next few weeks will make, or break, the 2024-25 season. </p>
<p id="3SKbvo">Woodson cannot afford to be on the outside looking in again when March Madness rolls around next year. Ask Juwan Howard and Chris Holtmann what two years without a tourney bid does to your job.</p>
<p id="xhYwiN">Indiana has to build a team through the portal. Again. </p>
<p id="H1v9wb">Last year’s efforts weren’t entirely in vain, adding an All-Big Ten caliber center with NBA lottery upside and a key reserve forward with the kind of athleticism and quickness Woodson likes to have on defense.</p>
<p id="ngQK58">But it’s what they didn’t go after, guards, that ultimately caused problems when the season arrived. The Hoosiers had all of one reliable passe and scorer, Trey Galloway, in the backcourt all season. </p>
<p id="zPC5AE">They’re gonna need someone that can score and multiple players who can shoot, ideally at least one that reaches around 40% from deep. Depending on what could happen with player movement out of the program, portal or NBA Draft, they could need rim protection and general depth in the frontcourt.</p>
<p id="lncvIc">The good news? Indiana has plenty going for it in the recruiting process. The facilities are world-class, there’s a coach with NBA connections and a growing track record of sending talent to the next level and NIL is in a really good spot.</p>
<p id="pxwtXk">The bad news? It’s not difficult to negatively recruit against Indiana given that Woodson enters next year on the hot seat, the offense isn’t particularly modern and there is not a single freshman signee on the way to Bloomington.</p>
<p id="rbvmF9">The resources probably outweigh that, at least slightly. Indiana will be able to get players out of the portal, it just <em>needs </em>to get the right ones and set them up for success next season and for the future.</p>
<p id="Yyr0fY">If not? The fervor will return, only without a “he’s safe” report to stem the tide of fan outrage.</p>
<p id="Yi0MV7"></p>
https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/17/24104149/indiana-mens-basketball-and-mike-woodsons-most-important-offseason-yetL.C.Norton2024-03-16T15:59:34-04:002024-03-16T15:59:34-04:00Indiana women’s basketball: How to watch the NCAA tournament selection show
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: The Herald-Times" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubbvq1Bh1f53sfNCR_qmkfh_X-o=/107x0:1894x1191/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212135/usa_today_22590880.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rich Janzaruk/ Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Selection Sunday is upon us.</p> <p id="lYiKqd">No. 15 Indiana women’s basketball will receive its postseason draw tomorrow night during the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball selection show. </p>
<p id="n9x25f">Here’s how to watch:</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="hawU3H">
<h2 id="aemDzy"><strong>When is the show and how can I watch?</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="CMa5H8">
<strong>Game Date/Time: </strong>Friday, March 17 at 8 p.m. ET</li>
<li id="Fj5yaq">
<strong>Channel: </strong>ESPN</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="LohJYt">
<p id="YPiKNZ">The Hoosiers finished the regular season 24-4 and are seeking their fifth-consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Indiana earned a 1-seed in last year’s tournament but was upset by 9-Miami in the second round.</p>
<p id="bzKIjx">Despite a <a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/8/24095059/indiana-womens-basketball-falls-to-michigan-69-56-three-observations">quarterfinal exit</a> in the Big Ten tournament, most projections slot the 2023-24 Hoosiers as a 4-seed, giving Indiana hosting duties for the first two rounds. It’ll be the third consecutive year that Assembly Hall hosts March Madness if this is indeed the case.</p>
<p id="gYaUud"></p>
https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/16/24103317/indiana-womens-basketball-how-to-watch-the-ncaa-tournament-selection-showCQMiles2024-03-16T15:00:00-04:002024-03-16T15:00:00-04:00Indiana men’s basketball keeps losing to the same type of team
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-agPeOc_V0-ql4dI3V8m4-JeoHo=/0x107:2000x1440/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212081/teams.0.png" />
<figcaption>Photo of Jalen Pickett by Kamil Krzaczynski, USA Today. Photo of Keisei Tominaga by Matt Krohn, USA Today.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Teams that space the floor and shoot the ball keep sending the Hoosiers home.</p> <p id="GBbh6y">Two years. Two teams. One result: a loss.</p>
<p id="8WyyuA">Last year, Indiana was bounced in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Tournament by a Penn State squad that had already lit them up in the regular season. This year, Indiana was beaten in the quarterfinals by a Nebraska squad that had... already lit them up in the regular season.</p>
<p id="0N7iZn">Both of these teams have different styles, players and were constructed in different ways. But they both have one key thing in common: spacing the floor and shooting the ball from deep.</p>
<p id="FyAayb">Here’s where each team ranked in 3P% and 3PA/FGA:</p>
<p id="Zw0NAO"><strong>3-point %</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="E8PtKM">2023 Penn State: 38.7% (7th)</li>
<li id="oTkoxe">2024 Nebraska: 36.0% (65th)</li>
</ul>
<p id="Nmw5VO"><strong>3PA/FGA</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="81lCZu">2023 Penn State: 47.1 (10th)</li>
<li id="zVvKj1">2024 Nebraska: 44.7 (28th)</li>
</ul>
<p id="QmoIkj">Most Big Ten teams don’t play like this and Indiana certainly isn’t one of them. </p>
<p id="ca1QQg">The Hoosiers’ approach under three years of Mike Woodson has been two bigs at the four and five. The first two, Race Thompson and Trayce Jackson-Davis, didn’t really shoot much or well. The current iteration, Malik Reneau and Kel’el Ware, can shoot but neither takes too many shots.</p>
<p id="kdH3xO">The offense has been built to run through the post or its frontcourt while the defense emphasizes a nail-slot-rim philosophy. Woodson’s version of the defense was prevalent in the NBA during his coaching tenure with the New York Knicks, the Pacers even used it at times in 2013.</p>
<p id="E0S9nb">It’s still in the NBA, but has changed with time. The version run by Indiana more closely resembles that of Woodson’s Knicks teams than what you’d see in the NBA these days.</p>
<p id="NfQ0Hg">It’s all about <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2013/12/19/5227374/nba-defense-breakdown-nail-spurs-pacers">protecting the nail</a>, the very middle of the free-throw line about 15 feet from the rim. The nail defender gets there to deter dribble penetration into the lane, but that can lead to his man being open on the perimeter.</p>
<p id="sfJKRS">Look here, Race Thompson is at the nail for this possession to deter a drive from Jalen Pickett. The latter recognizes this and passes out to Thompson’s man on the perimeter, Seth Lundy, one of many knockdown Nittany Lion shooters.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/h3G-Ge69NBSCTaUWmG7RwVW00CE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25339784/race_nail.png">
<cite>CBS Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="lV7Zbb">Thompson closes out on Lundy and gets a hand up, textbook defense. Kopp, defending Pickett, goes to the nail. But Lundy rises and fires for an early 3 to get the scoring started for Penn State.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WSRe9G2GZN-MESoTfRok6yFpQjI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25339792/lundyshot.png">
<cite>CBS Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="Kd69f7">It’s on Thompson to deter Pickett from driving there, but it’s also his responsibility to close out on Lundy if the ball goes his way. He does this, but the shot just goes in anyway.</p>
<p id="Q2kwec">During this matchup multiple players were defending the nail including Thompson, Jackson-Davis, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Reneau and Kopp. Ideally the guy at the nail has some length, quickness and athleticism to jump around that much and close out when necessary.</p>
<p id="cHUDku">That’s why Indiana likes guys like Anthony Walker and Kaleb Banks, they have those traits.</p>
<p id="ksZQbd">But with this defense, open shooters are often just a pass away from the ball. It burned Indiana against multiple mid-majors in the nonconference slate and then power conference teams.</p>
<p id="mMWLf0">Indiana had a very new and young group that took time to understand the system. It improved to a degree as the season went on, but teams like Nebraska were still able to light Indiana up from the 3-point line.</p>
<p id="Llv7BW">Against teams full of shooters like Penn State and Nebraska, that’s trouble. It’s doubled when Indiana itself cannot counter with its own 3-point shooting. The Hoosiers don’t take or make many shots from deep, creating a chasm between them and opponents that two points just aren’t good enough to overcome. </p>
<p id="mWIAEV">It’s a double whammy. Indiana lets up 3-point shots and doesn’t take them on the other end. That means blowouts, and this iteration of Indiana has had a tendency to lose by double digits.</p>
<p id="EW9EL6">This defense <em>can </em>work. It probably just needs a few tweaks here and there to keep it up to date. Right now, it’s a mixed bag.</p>
<p id="NMsG2H">This has been a problem for the Hoosiers for two years now with no to minimal fixes. It’s less about the talent Indiana has than it is about the system itself. More teams are taking more 3s than ever, so more of them can leverage them against the Hoosiers, including the likes of Army and Florida Gulf Coast.</p>
<p id="V7mgUc">It’s something Indiana has to figure out and fix if the current staff wants some staying power.</p>
<p id="TLW5SQ"></p>
<p id="GEfk4C"></p>
https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/16/24103262/indiana-mens-basketball-keeps-losing-to-the-same-type-of-teamL.C.Norton2024-03-16T13:00:00-04:002024-03-16T13:00:00-04:00Indiana men’s basketball loses to Nebraska 93-66 : Three Observations
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Quarterfinal-Indiana vs Nebraska" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5llhkfRsAdPcbd9YzwY7zjpakUk=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211896/usa_today_22787033.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>That’s All, Folks</em></p> <p id="1Ze6Gw">After a trio of made free throws from Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana found itself down six with 3:29 left to play in the first half. By halftime, Nebraska was up by 23. That’s it. That’s the story. </p>
<p id="haIVDR">In the final three minutes of the first half, Kesei Tominaga hit three 3-pointers, including a well contested shot from well outside the arc as time expired in the first half. He had 18 points in the first half on 4-7 from deep. </p>
<p id="Izzwqp">Tominaga was one of many Nebraska players lighting it up from deep, but he wasn’t ever left open like his teammates were. This has been the blueprint to every bad Indiana loss this year, and I hardly need to say more for you to know how it all went down. </p>
<p id="R6jwcV">And with that loss, we likely enter portal season. The win streak there at the end may have earned an NIT bid, but I would imagine this staff is more focused on retooling the roster than postseason play. </p>
<p id="Ox1LkA">Here are Three Observations:</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="BsoPEq">
<h2 id="k8TMGZ"><strong>Keisei Tominaga</strong></h2>
<p id="QyprVd">Keisei Tominaga is one of the players for whom the occasional Steph Curry comparison does not feel unwarranted. He has such a quick release, high arc, and confidence in his shot that he becomes absolutely unguardable for portions of games. </p>
<div id="qcHtmb">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keisei Tominaga is must-watch television.<br><br>A star made for March. <a href="https://t.co/OFLDrjRliX">pic.twitter.com/OFLDrjRliX</a></p>— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenScottStevens/status/1768819461954392528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="i7OjVg">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">KEISEI TOMINAGA WHAT AN END TO THE HALF ‼️‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B1GMBBT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#B1GMBBT</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/HuskerMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HuskerMBB</a> <a href="https://t.co/WQwcpb9daf">pic.twitter.com/WQwcpb9daf</a></p>— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigTenNetwork/status/1768822413960053225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="zhzvX7">Indiana had moderate success in the second half switching between C.J. Gunn and Xavier Johnson to try to deny Tominaga the ball and contest his every step, but it wasn’t enough. Tominaga was just too good. </p>
<p id="uwf50x">I have no idea if he’s considered an NBA prospect at this point or how much eligibility he has left, but I hope to god I never see him play against Indiana again. I am going to have nightmares about all three of his games against the Hoosiers this year. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="XzIxjQ">
<h2 id="hv6U6O"><strong>Out of Gas?</strong></h2>
<p id="apoBPc">Call it energy, focus, hustle, or even just Juice, but Indiana did not have whatever it had over the last five games. Regression or simple fatigue, that was a tough note to end the season on. </p>
<p id="KWOiZV">One of the best things this season was Malik Reneau’s development, which was in large part due to his newfound ability to avoid foul trouble. That was not the case tonight, as he fouled out in just 22 minutes tonight with 9 points, three assists and five rebounds. </p>
<p id="1YI9bd">Mackenzie Mgbako, whose development helped space the floor and gave Indiana the ability to respond to opposing team’s 3-point runs. He had a cold night from deep, though he did tally 14 points and go 7-7 from the free throw line, so it wasn’t a bad effort in all. </p>
<p id="0qGTrr">In the absence of his shooting, Indiana had to rely on the paint even more than usual, and Nebraska was ready for it. Fred Hoiberg’s defense absolutely stifled Indiana’s bigs tonight with immediate double teams that produced a lot of missed shots and turnovers. </p>
<p id="KOrWAX">By the end of the game, Mike Woodson, like all of us, had seen enough and got his second technical of the game, heading to the locker room early to think about everything that had just happened. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="pQI9PG">
<h2 id="X7f9Ye"><strong>Nebrasketball</strong></h2>
<p id="G6Lzk7">Nebraska is set to head to the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade and will pose a legitimate threat to Purdue in the rest of the Big Ten Tournament. With their style of play and shooting ability, they may be my favorite team from the conference to make an NCAA Tournament run. </p>
<p id="Aezuv3">Now, few schools would tolerate just how awful the early Hoiberg years were for Nebraska, but it’s worth noting how he built this team, which went from 11th in the conference to earning the three seed and advancing to the BTT semifinal for the first time ever. </p>
<p id="hZVBF5">Nebraska has ten players on its roster from the transfer portal, including starters like Tominaga, Bryce Williams, Juwan Gary, and Rienk Mast. </p>
<p id="QsYuep">They’ve landed players from junior colleges (Tominaga), other power five teams (Gary), mid majors (Williams and Mast), and even some bench players from inside the conference. </p>
<p id="BTMn3T">It’s worth noting that some of these guys have been at Nebraska for a couple of years now and have some familiarity with each other. But this team is a testament to the kind of production and talent that can be found in the tournament and how quickly it can turn around a team. </p>
<p id="f5b2Qz">I’m not proposing Indiana have a long term plan similar to Nebraska’s. That would simply not cut it. But for a team that needs a quick fix of talent, it’s nice to see what’s out there if you cast a wide enough net and look in the right places. </p>
<p id="4l6lah"></p>
https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/16/24102596/indiana-mens-basketball-loses-to-nebraska-93-66-three-observationscolin.lavery2024-03-15T17:30:00-04:002024-03-15T17:30:00-04:00Indiana men’s basketball: Transfer portal target tracker
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Pennsylvania at West Virginia" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TmTx-gtLR08ofBELwnbL68eJNlg=/1310x598:3612x2133/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73210630/usa_today_19483514.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Tracking the Hoosiers transfer portal targets.</p> <p id="8FtQ9m">The next two months are likely the most important of Mike Woodson’s coaching tenure at Indiana up to this point.</p>
<p id="ONg6Bj">Without an incoming 2024 freshman recruiting class, the Hoosiers will have to look to the transfer portal to build up next year’s roster. More than a few pieces will be necessary if Indiana wants back in on March Madness.</p>
<p id="Ls7SzZ">With that in mind, we’ll be tracking Indiana’s potential transfer prospects here, listed by what stage they are in the process (communication, visit, committed, etc)</p>
<p id="F9OarZ">We’re hoping this will paint a picture behind Indiana’s strategy in the portal regardless of ultimate results. One way or another, this will tell us something about how the Hoosiers want to look in 2024-25</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="fPZmaA">
<h2 id="XIS1BY"><strong>Related</strong></h2>
<ul><li id="Hn0lyD"><a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/13/24098756/indiana-mens-basketball-transfer-portal-needs-and-wants"><strong>Indiana men’s basketball: Transfer portal needs and wants</strong></a></li></ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="Ip3qYm">
<h2 id="QdrtaE"><strong>Contacted</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="sEkt1j">Gr guard Clark Slajchert (Penn) - <a href="https://twitter.com/JamieShaw5/status/1767695927278469445">link</a>
</li>
<li id="fKgzp9">Gr guard Marcus Foster (Furman) - <a href="https://x.com/247HSHoops/status/1768768027007266925?s=20">link</a>
</li>
</ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="hflYes">
<h2 id="65Xig1"><strong>Visit Scheduled</strong></h2>
<ul><li id="han9ym">N/A</li></ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="0el420">
<h2 id="PKMvG2"><strong>Visited</strong></h2>
<ul><li id="KWInRJ">N/A</li></ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="qg94Cf">
<h2 id="ZF6ob6"><strong>Committed to Indiana</strong></h2>
<ul><li id="eaAe9s">N/A</li></ul>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="0yunVj">
<h2 id="rHUV2h"><strong>Committed Elsewhere</strong></h2>
<ul><li id="xEU1zX">N/A</li></ul>
https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/15/24102248/indiana-mens-basketball-transfer-portal-target-trackerL.C.Norton2024-03-15T15:24:28-04:002024-03-15T15:24:28-04:00Indiana men’s basketball beats Penn State 61-59: Three observations
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Second Round-Penn State vs Indiana" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LqAF064pdGh3_rC6tGb6ATEpgN0=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73210316/usa_today_22779034.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>Not Done Yet</em></p> <p id="gv11F5">Indiana had a shot at revenge last night against a Penn State team that had won four straight against the Hoosiers, including eliminating them from last year’s Big Ten Tournament. </p>
<p id="VoT2QR">For the fifth straight game Indiana had nothing to play for besides pride and each other, being comfortably out of the NCAA Tournament field. For the fifth straight game, that was enough to will the team to victory. </p>
<p id="rwGZtt">In a way, this was the most impressive of Indiana’s wins. The team was shorthanded, missing Trey Galloway, and didn’t get the best performances from the usual contributors. Looking at the boxscore alone, it’s hard to see a Hoosier win in there.</p>
<p id="NQ0IQH">With the win, Indiana will get another shot at revenge tonight against a Nebraska squad that also swept the Hoosiers during the regular season. For the sixth straight game, Indiana will be the underdog. </p>
<p id="naMEST">Here are three observations:</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="xLZFe8">
<h2 id="1E2s4X"><strong>Guard Minutes</strong></h2>
<p id="xcEL1S">Without Trey Galloway, I frankly did not see a path to victory for Indiana last night. Galloway had been Indiana’s lead point guard for much of the season, developing a chemistry with Kel’el Ware and playing with a steady enough hand to keep Indiana afloat. </p>
<p id="JMdqwN">Penn State, with defensive player of the year Ace Baldwin Jr., is probably the worst team to run into when you’re down a starting point guard. He had over 20 points in each of the first two games against Indiana this year, with a combined six steals in those contests.</p>
<p id="hXdu56">While Indiana certainly missed Galloway’s offense, Mike Woodson got enough from Anthony Leal, Gabe Cupps, and Xavier Johnson tonight to beat the Nittany Lions shorthanded. </p>
<p id="Qs7rjc">Leal led the way with eight points in 24 minutes off the bench, including the game-winning put back with under ten seconds to play. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Leal come off the bench and give Indiana huge minutes, but it’s the most significant. </p>
<p id="U1oddY">Cupps and Johnson combined for just 10 points, but made the shots that mattered and protected the ball when it counted. Cupps had a pair of big threes, including one in the second half that gave Indiana the lead back after a Penn State run. </p>
<p id="QG7yBo">Johnson didn’t play a perfect game, but he played within control for most of the night and slowed down the pace for an Indiana team that was going to need to grind out a win. He also utilized his speed when needed, getting to the rim when Penn State left it open for him. </p>
<p id="S8cvoZ">Indiana is surely better with Galloway healthy, but last night showed they aren’t helpless without him. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="LIaQbw">
<h2 id="tPnzRa"><strong>Slop</strong></h2>
<p id="NkHLG4">The key to Indiana’s four game win streak had been improved shooting from 3-point range and more production from guys like Mackenzie Mgbako, who started the season slow before emerging as co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year. </p>
<p id="c893wO">Last night, Indiana shot just 25% from deep and got a single point from Mgbako in the second half. Malik Reneau, the team’s second leading scorer, had just six second half points. </p>
<p id="5zCDt4">This is not to criticize the performance last night, as teams are bound to have bad games, but to observe that, despite all the above, Indiana won. For most of this season, this team was not playing well enough to survive a game like that.</p>
<p id="Q1oB9M">It’s worth pointing out that Penn State did not play its best game last night either. Still, the margin for error appears to be growing ever so slightly for this Indiana team that needs a miracle to make the NCAA Tournament. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="3lhi31">
<h2 id="pZV2Uw"><strong>Five Straight</strong></h2>
<p id="ySX60H">Mike Woodson is the first Indiana coach in the Kenpom era to win five straight Big Ten games in back to back seasons. Tonight, he’ll have a chance to get Indiana to the 20 win mark for a third straight season, something the Hoosiers haven’t achieved since the early 2000s.</p>
<p id="H8G5BY">For all of the noise surrounding the program constantly, this kind of small stuff is easy to overlook. It doesn’t erase some of the big picture questions looming over the program, but helps put into perspective just where Indiana was at when it hired Woodson. </p>
<p id="EE5ZwU">Everything else aside, it’s clear that Woodson is capable of getting players to buy in to his system and play for each other when it matters most. </p>
<p id="K4c3yy">What is this worth in the grand scheme of things? I don’t know, but it’s not nothing. At the very least, it’s been fun to see this team go out and prove people wrong night after night for the last few weeks. </p>
https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2024/3/15/24101828/indiana-mens-basketball-beats-penn-state-61-59-three-observationscolin.lavery