Mind Your Banner postgame: Indiana beats Tennessee 66-62 in an exhibition
The Indiana Hoosiers played the Tennessee Volunteers in a men’s basketball exhibition on Oct. 27, 2024.
If Indiana basketball’s performance in its showcase exhibition is anything to go by, the Hoosiers are good value for their preseason hype.
Mike Woodson’s remade roster delivered a hard-fought 66-62 preseason win at Tennessee, in a compelling matchup of preseason top-20 programs with league-title ambitions this winter. Here’s how the new-look Hoosiers graded out from their first competitive runout together.
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All ratings out of 10.; *denotes Man of the Match
STARTERS
∎ Myles Rice: 9/10*
Seemed to be struggling with cramps in the second half but wasn’t slowed down when it mattered. Missed all three 3s, an area of his game he needs to improve, but his ability to control the pace of a game with the ball in his hands was just as encouraging as his midrange-to-basket offense. Even with the cramps — and probably playing more minutes than Mike Woodson would prefer with others out — Rice hit the free throws that ultimately clinched the game. A man-of-the-match debut with 20 points, four assists.
∎ Kanaan Carlyle: 6/10
Spent the afternoon hunting his offense but never really found it. Finished 2-of-7 from the floor, 1-of-6 from 3, with five points. That score gets a one-point boost for Carlyle’s four assists and three rebounds (and the broader idea that he didn’t let his offense affect the rest of his game). But it’s clear he’ll be at his best when the open 3s he missed go in.
∎ Mackenzie Mgbako: 7/10
Much better second half than first. Got aggressive and delivered offense when the Hoosiers had other key contributors on the bench. Scored all 12 points after halftime, showing off both his 3-point shot and his midrange threat. The latter was particularly noteworthy given Mgbako reached for it in isolation situations. Just something to earmark for possessions down the road when Indiana needs a bucket late in the clock.
∎ Malik Reneau: 9/10
Really good all the way around. Scored a game-high 21 points to go with eight rebounds. Was efficient from the floor (8-of-12), hit 4-of-5 free throws and his only 3 was a big one. The eight rebounds showcased a toughness Reneau needs to hold onto as a veteran, because it makes the two-big lineups work at the defensive end. Oumar Ballo didn’t play as well but his presence created openings Reneau exploited. Tennessee could not answer him in the second half.
∎ Oumar Ballo: 7/10
Eleven rebounds boost Ballo from a six to a seven, in a game when Indiana’s improvement on the glass was crucial to success (the Hoosiers finished minus-one on the boards but plus-two in second-chance points). In other areas of his game Ballo still looked in preseason form. Some of his catch-and-move can be sharper. Felix Okpara probably got the better of the physical battle more often than he should. And Ballo committed three turnovers, a team-high he shared with Reneau. Given the offense Indiana can get elsewhere, Ballo doesn’t need to be a walking double-double, though, so we’ll reward the defensive impact.
RESERVES
∎ Gape Cupps: 6/10
Foul trouble hampered his ability to impact the game. Cupps finished with four in just 10 minutes, his only scoring contribution a pair of free throws. He also had just one rebound, and no assists, although zero turnovers point to a steadiness that will be important when Rice isn’t on the floor.
∎ Luke Goode: 6/10
Missed all five field goals, including all three 3s. Four rebounds and an assist are useful bench contributions, the boards especially. Given his resume and his role, Goode’s score is probably going to vary more than most of his teammates, based on his shooting. Didn’t have a poor game. Just keep shooting.
∎ Anthony Leal: 6/10
A quiet seven minutes. Leal missed his only field goal attempt and committed a turnover, but he balanced that with a block and a steal. Like Goode, Leal’s shot-making ability is going to keep one thumb on a lot of his scores, but like Goode, when he delivers largely mistake-free veteran minutes, the floor underneath his performances is high.
∎ Langdon Hatton: 5/10
Reflective of his modest involvement more than anything. Hatton missed two shots across six minutes, with one rebound. He finished the only bench player with a positive plus-minus.
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