INDIANA UNIVERSITY MEN’S + WOMEN’S BASKETBALL EARLY SEASON OBSERVATIONS

The sheer dominance of the Indiana University football team this season has been downright incredible. With this school always being known as a “basketball school”, the output of the gridiron gang put a lot of pressure on the basketball teams to carry on the momentum of an sports institution that has rapidly risen to powerhouse status.

The men’s squad, currently ranked 16th in the country, has outscored opponents 257-187 en route to an impressive 3-0 start to the season. The early season returns have been a lot less head-turning for the women’s club, who have an even 2-2 record. However, things are certainly looking up for the ladies following a huge home win over 24th-ranked Stanford a few nights ago.

There has been a lot to like about the Hoosiers’ performance on both sides thus far, and here are a few things we have taken notice of through the preliminary phase of the 2024-2025 campaign.

MACKENZIE MGBAKO IS HIM

After what turned out to be a very impressive freshman season, it was almost inevitable that Mackenzie Mgbako was due for a major leap year. Most anticipated a lot of growth from the product of New Jersey, but he has been better than advertised thus far: 28.7 MPG | 22.0 PPG | 7.7 RPG (!!!) | 1.7 APG | 1.0 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 71.4% FG (!!!) | 63.6% 3FG (!!!) | 90.0% FT (!!!).

He looks every part of a legitimate Big Ten Player of the Year candidate, and if he keeps up his reign of dominance he will continue to rise in 2025 NBA mock drafts.

CHLOE MOORE-MCNEIL IS THE KEY

Teri Moren’s Hoosiers struggled out of the gates, losing 2 of their first 3 games. Coincidentally, Chloe Moore-McNeil struggled heavily through those trio of contests: 6.3 PPG | 3.0 APG/3.0 TOPG | 5/15 FG (33.3%) | 1/4 3FG (25%) | 8/9 FT (88.9%). In Sunday’s 79-66 victory over Stanford, CMM finished with 21 points (7/11 FG + 2/5 3FG + 5/6 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists (compared to just 1 turnover) and 4 huge steals. Coincidence? We think not.

WOODY’S FRONTCOURT IS THE BEST IN THE B1G

Between Mgbako, Malik Reneau and newcomer Oumar Ballo, the starting big dudes have been unstoppable so far. With killer Kenz cooking from outside and the twin towers terrorizing defenders in the trenches, there just is not another frontcourt in this conference on the same level at this point.

BARGESSER + BEAUMONT ARE ESSENTIAL

Neither of Lexus Bargesser or Lenee Beaumont’s individual statlines from last season are going to attract eyeballs, but the tandem were much more keen to making their presences felt outside of the box score. Bargesser was the team’s 2nd-best perimeter defender behind Moore-McNeil, and both her and Beaumont displayed impressive feel and steady hands as secondary playmakers. Whenever the team gets them back and has a few games to cement their cohesion, watch out.

MYLES RICE IS HERE

After such a sluggish season of backcourt play in 2023-2024, Myles Rice has been a revelation for the fellas. He looked legit in the preseason victory at Tennessee, and bounced back from a so-so outing against Eastern Illinois (5 points and 5 assists on just 2/3 shooting) with a super showing against South Carolina: 23 points | 4 rebounds | 3 assists | 1 steal | 7/10 FG | 3/4 3FG | 6/6 FT.

Welcome to the party, Myles.

SYDNEY PARRISH STAYING SOLID THROUGH STRUGGLES

Prior to the start of the season, some argued that Sydney Parrish would be the team’s top offensive weapon this year. Contrary to that prediction, it has been a scoring struggle for Sydney through the first 4 games: 10.3 PPG on icy shooting splits of 35% FG/ 15% 3FG/76.9% FT. Regardless of her rough shooting start, she has continued providing her steady dose of toughness on the defensive side of the ball: 6.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG and 1.8 BPG.

KANAAN CARLYLE IS COMING

First and foremost, let us just apologize to Kanaan Carlyle because we were not familiar with his style of tenacious, dogged defense. This boy has been getting after it on the less glamorous end of the floor, and his effort on that side of the ball has made a world of difference. His shots are starting to fall as well (4/9 from deep in the last 2 games), and he is among Mike Woodson’s most integral components.

SHAY CIEZKI IS ALSO COMING

Shockingly, Ciezki did not connect on her first triple until the team’s 3rd game of the season. But she has been balling in the last 2 games (15.0 PPG and 3.0 APG on 12/23 shooting overall and 3/6 shooting from beyond the arc). Do not lose sight of the fact that she dropped 40 in a game last season.

WOODY’S ROTATION IS DANGEROUS

Even when Anthony Leal returns from his injury, there is probably a good argument that this team will have an 8/9-man rotation (Rice, Carlyle, Mgbako, Reneau, Ballo, Galloway, Tucker, Goode and maybe Cupps). That means Leal, Gabe Cupps, Jakai Newton, Langdon Hatton and Dallas James are likely not looking at a ton of run once we get into the meat and potatoes of the schedule. Regardless any of those guys could feasibly be looked to for court time if needed, and each of them brings their own styles of contributions.

LILLY MEISTER IS NICE

With the loss of Mackenzie Holmes (at least on the court), Lilly Meister seemed destined to assume a lot of the responsibility that came with filling her shoes. So far, so good for Meister. She has been a steady presence: 24.3 MPG | 11.5 PPG | 7.3 RPG | 0.8 APG/2.8 TOPG (!!!) | 0.8 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 44.8% FG | 0.0% 3FG | 76.9% FT. There is no denying she needs to take better care of the ball, but there is also no denying that she has performed better than expected to begin the year.