Nov 6, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers ahead Mackenzie Mgbako (21) rebounds the ball throughout the first half towards the SIU Edwardsville Cougars at Simon Skjodt Meeting Corridor. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Photos Mackenzie Mgbako had a easy rationalization for his career-high 31 factors in Indiana’s season-opening 80-61 win Wednesday night time towards SIU Edwardsville.
“I used to be enjoying throughout the offense and being aggressive, taking what they gave me,” he stated. “I used to be going with shifting the ball, discovering nice photographs and taking them.”
Mgbako and the No. 17 Hoosiers will attempt to make it 2-0 Sunday once they welcome Jap Illinois for one more nonconference conflict in Bloomington, Ind.
Mgbako nailed 13 of 17 photographs from the sector, together with 4 of 5 from the 3-point line, and likewise chipped in 9 rebounds. His efficiency stood out on an evening the place Indiana by no means trailed and wasn’t pushed within the second half, but it surely did not play on the degree coach Mike Woodson hoped it could.
“Offensively, we got here out with nice intentions,” Woodson stated. “The ball moved early, however then we received stale when it comes to shifting and making the additional go. We have been having some good practices. … I’ve received to get us higher in that space.”
Woodson wasn’t completely satisfied that his group dedicated 16 turnovers towards an opponent that most likely will not deliver the identical degree of ball strain they’re going to see within the Huge Ten Convention. Washington State switch Myles Rice had 11 factors in his first recreation but in addition coughed up 5 turnovers.
Woodson stated many of the turnovers have been correctible, however he added that Rice have to be extra affected person and become extra of a real level guard. Rice performed as extra of a combo guard final 12 months when he helped the Cougars attain the second spherical of the NCAA Event.
One strong side of the Hoosiers’ opener was their protection. They allowed the Cougars to make solely 35.2 p.c of their photographs, together with 5 of 26 on 3-pointers, and earned a 43-34 benefit on the boards.
In the meantime, Jap Illinois (1-1) adopted up a season-opening blowout loss at Illinois by routing Division III opponent Earlham (Ind.) 97-61 on Wednesday. Six gamers scored in double figures for the Panthers, led by Artese Stapleton’s 17 factors, as they shot 52.2 p.c from the sector.
Jap Illinois is coming off a 14-18 season and was picked for a middle-of-the-pack end within the Ohio Valley Convention. Panthers coach Marty Simmons is aware of all in regards to the environment his group will face in Meeting Corridor. He performed for the late Bob Knight earlier than transferring to Evansville and enjoying for former Knight assistant Jim Crews.
Simmons, in his fourth season at Jap Illinois, says this will likely be his greatest group of gamers since he took the helm.
“I believe we’re shifting in the precise route,” he stated. “We made a superb step final 12 months. We’ve our greatest returning class. I believe this group has an opportunity to be fairly good.”
Simmons stated the important thing to his group would be the progress it makes defensively. Opponents made 44 p.c of their photographs towards the Panthers final season.
“We’ve to be extra constant,” he stated.
Indiana has gained each conferences within the collection, incomes an 88-49 win 9 years in the past of their final matchup.
–Area Stage Media
