top of page
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
Search

Indiana Scouting Report

  • Writer: Sam Bourne
    Sam Bourne
  • Jan 30
  • 3 min read

For the 220th time, Purdue will play Indiana in one of the best rivalries in College Basketball. After Purdue's dominant sweep of the Hoosiers, Matt Painter is 3-3 versus Mike Woodson. This season, the rivalry doesn't feel quite as important. Yet, it is often the games that are overlooked that prove the most entertaining!



Hoosier Hysteria

The offensive side of the ball is a bittersweet for the Hoosiers. They have great (and expensive) talent throughout the lineup. The only thing consistent about Indiana is that they are inconsistent. They are coming off a great performance versus Maryland where they scored 1.23 points per possession but they also scored 0.83 against a poor Iowa defense.


From a statistical perspective, Indiana is the color grey (or gray? what is the difference?). Their self-designed crusade against the three point line is well known but I am more concerned with their lack of commitment to rebounding or turnovers. For a team who's two best players are monstrous post players, their free throw rate and offensive rebounding is noticeably lacking.


Despite the negatives, Indiana still has the offensive punch that can punish teams. Although it doesn't count, Indiana beat Tennessee in an exhibition, largely because of their transition game. Myles Rice and Oumar Ballo are deadly transition weapons that can explode in a hurry.


Indiana Sets

Woodson is very good at using three man combinations to stress defenses. With Ballo, capable ball handlers, and a shooter like Luke Goode, Woodson will test Purdue's ability to guard all three used together. This style already worked with Jalen Hood-Schifino, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Miller Kopp.


A note, Indiana goes to more ball screen offense whenever Trey Galloway is in the game. Otherwise, their motion revolves around a big at the top of the key with their guards looking to screen for each other.


Horns Pitch Stagger

Horns Chicago

77 Action

Flare Ball Screen

Roll and Replace

Spain

Double Stagger x2

Offensive Player Profiles

#11 - Oumar Ballo

A absolute load at center, Ballo gives Indiana a dangerous combination of strength and skill. Purdue's post trapping could give him fits, but his natural counter is sealing for the over top lob which he has made a living from. They look for him in transition or sealing after a roll. I would start with Caleb Furst but rotate through all the bigs.


#1 - Myles Rice

Rice adds another level of speed to this Indiana team. He has legitimate top-end speed and quickness that makes him a constant threat to beat defenses with his first step. He is a swing piece for IU, but Purdue's handsy defense could bother Rice's handle which is loose at times.


#21 - Mackenzie Mgbako

The sophomore had decent success against Purdue last season - scoring 15 and 12 points. As a driver, he is prone to going left. He poses an interesting matchup with Fletcher Loyer most likely getting the matchup. The three point volume and rebounding impact are supremely important for Indiana.



Indiana's Defense

The Hoosiers have struggled in several key areas that have hampered their overall effectiveness. The main struggle has been guarding the ball without quick lateral players. Guys like Mgbako struggle to navigate screens or closeout which puts Indiana's individual defense behind the eight ball.


Like their offense, the situation is not all bad. Woodson's teams have played Purdue with great physicality against a smaller backcourt. They are going to know Purdue's actions and try to beat Purdue's player sthrough screens or to spots.


Man to Man Concepts

Pick and Roll - Hedging traditional ball screens, trapping ball screens towards the sideline, switching between guards.

Post-Ups - They use Purdue's post up coverage, forcing baseline and doubling on the dribble.

Help Side - They are non-switching with heavy gap help

On-Ball - I expect Indiana to be really aggressive against Purdue's guards.



Keys to the Game

  1. How much ball pressure can Indiana put on Purdue and does it work?

  2. Indiana has to control the boards on both sides

    1. Mgbako will be integral in this area for Indiana

  3. A continued question for Purdue will be how many threes they can generate

    1. Does Loyer or Mgbako attempt more threes?

Kommentare

bottom of page