IU’s revamped backcourt showcases depth, versatility in win against South Carolina

All Kanaan Carlyle could do was scratch his head and laugh.

The halfcourt lob attempt to sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako was already ambitious. In the second half against South Carolina Saturday afternoon inside Assembly Hall, Carlyle’s pass sailed over the outstretched arms of Mgbako, but instead of becoming a careless turnover, fell directly into the hoop.

It was a microcosm of Indiana’s backcourt play, which has continued to find ways to shine despite experiencing some occasional growing pains. Led by redshirt sophomore Washington State transfer Myles Rice, who led all scorers with 23 points in the Hoosiers’ 87-71 win, and Carlyle, Indiana’s guards flashed quickness in transition and outside shooting capabilities — precisely the traits head coach Mike Woodson sought in the offseason.

“I’ve learned a valuable lesson from last season,” Woodson said postgame. “That was the whole emphasis this summer and once we entered the portal was trying to get perimeter guys that can come in here and play.”

Rice and Carlyle—both All-Pac-12 freshman team honorees last season—have transformed the dynamic of Indiana’s offense, which could’ve been aptly characterized by stagnancy and inefficiency last year.

Behind Trey Galloway, the depth was murky. Gabe Cupps was granted a much more significant role than expected due to Xavier Johnson’s nagging injuries and the Hoosiers mustered little backcourt production in general.

Woodson wasn’t prepared to let that happen again. Even without Cupps, Jakai Newton or Anthony Leal on Saturday, it didn’t matter. Rice, Carlyle and Galloway combined for 46 points and made six of the team’s eight 3-pointers.

The trio only turned the ball over four times and didn’t miss a single combined free throw, shooting a perfect 12-of-12 from the stripe.

“That’s just the beauty about our team,” Rice said. “You have three different guards that can do everything… I think we all feed off each other really well, and that’s just a credit to not only us, but our teammates as well. They understand how to play with us, and we understand how to play with them.”

It was always going to take time for the three to mesh. In Indiana’s season-opening win against SIUE, Carlyle was held scoreless and Galloway tallied just 6 points. Rice’s 31 minutes led the team, but he recorded a modest 11 points.

Four days later, against Eastern Illinois, the trio was again held in check — none of the three eclipsed six points. But Saturday offered a glimpse into what the offense can become when shots start falling.

Woodson wasn’t completely satisfied with the offensive performance and there were stretches of the game where Indiana stalled. Still, the potential was glaring. The Hoosiers ripped off a 14-0 run after falling behind 4-0 to start the game and within it were moments that rendered this year’s backcourt almost unrecognizable from 2023.

Rice splashed a triple and stared down the South Carolina bench with a smile, and less than 30 seconds later, was speeding in transition to dish a fast break assist to Mgbako. In the ensuing two minutes, both Rice and Carlyle drained midrange jumpers.

“It’s amazing,” Mgbako said. “So much easier just being able to run with Myles and K, getting on the break, getting easy buckets and just feeding off each other and the energy.”

Indiana’s backcourt received a welcomed dose of shot creation and playmaking from Rice and Carlyle, but their defensive abilities have been equally important. Rice was regarded as a hounding perimeter defender at Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia.

He showcased that against South Carolina, swiping the ball from freshman guard Cam Scott midway through the second half and finding Galloway for an easy transition bucket. All of Rice’s closeouts were fierce and energetic and he hardly afforded ball handlers any room to operate.

Yet for all of Rice’s defensive impact, he admitted he’s still chasing Carlyle, who logged a block and steal against the Gamecocks. Like Rice, Carlyle arrived in Bloomington noted for his defensive acumen.

He was often tasked with guarding South Carolina’s lead guards and he succeeded. His intensity was obvious — each time Carlyle backpedaled on defense, he smiled and clapped at the player dribbling in front of him.

With a little under six minutes remaining in the first half, just after sinking a 3-pointer, Carlyle chased down South Carolina senior guard Jacobi Wright to make a block from behind. Carlyle was initially screened by 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, but he fought through the obstruction to reject Wright’s midrange shot attempt.

“He makes me want to be a better defensive player,” Rice said of Carlyle. “Just to see it translate from practice to game, so when game time comes, he’s just causing havoc and everything — makes it easier to play with and for a guy like that.”

“He’s always bringing that energy,” Rice added. “It sparks all of us.”

Be it Rice, Carlyle or Galloway, the versatility and depth of Indiana’s backcourt has rapidly become not just a strength, but the driving force of the offense. Malik Reneau and Oumar Ballo combined for 20 points in the frontcourt and handled South Carolina’s leading scorer Collin Murray-Boyles.

Still, Woodson may not be quite as reliant on his “buddy ball” tandem as he’s been in recent seasons. Last year, with Reneau and first-round NBA draft selection Kel’el Ware, the offense operated primarily from the inside just as much due to effectiveness as it did out of necessity.

The Hoosiers didn’t have the talent or depth to run with teams and match their opponent when shooting from beyond the arc. Now, even with Cupps not logging a single minute and Newton sidelined, they do.

In Rice, Carlyle and Galloway, Indiana’s backcourt has become the focal point of the offense. Carlyle struggled in the first two games of the season — scoring just six total points — and Galloway’s minutes continue to be monitored.

But Saturday was a culmination of the mission Woodson embarked on this offseason. The trio was making shots, limiting turnovers and stifling South Carolina on defense.

Woodson learned his lesson.

“We have enough perimeter players this season,” Woodson said. “I feel good about everybody in case someone goes down. I feel good that the next guy can step in and make plays for us.”

Category: Media

Filed to: Kanaan Carlyle, Myles Rice, Trey Galloway