Tracking debut performances for eight former IU basketball players at their new schools

Eight IU basketball scholarship players with eligibility remaining entered the transfer portal last spring.

All eight play for programs that were in action on Monday night as the college basketball season tipped off around the country.

Here’s a brief recap of their debut performances at their new schools:

Kanaan Carlyle, Florida Atlantic

Carlyle had a stellar debut for the Owls, who beat Boston College 83-78 in overtime. The 6-foot-3 guard started, played 30 minutes and scored a team-high 19 points.

He shot 6-for-13 from the field, including a 4-for-8 mark on 3-pointers, to go along with two rebounds, one assist, one steal and a turnover. He was also 3-for-4 from the free-throw line.

Gabe Cupps, Ohio State

The former Ohio Mr. Basketball played the most minutes of any player off the bench for the Buckeyes with 17.

Cupps scored five points – all free throws – and added four rebounds, a steal and a turnover. It was a poor night defensively for Ohio State. The Buckeyes beat IU Indy 118-102 at Value City Arena.

Dallas James, Morgan State

A late addition to IU’s 2024-25 roster, James never appeared in a regular-season game for the Hoosiers after playing four seasons at South Carolina State.

The Artesia, California, native now plays for Morgan State in Baltimore and started the season opener on Monday for the Bears. In 15 minutes, James finished with two points, six rebounds and five blocked shots before fouling out.

Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas A&M

The Bucky McMillan era began in College Station with a comfortable 98-68 win against Northwestern State.

Mgbako, however, did not play. The former McDonald’s All-American underwent surgery for a Jones fracture in his right foot in the offseason. He isn’t expected to play until later this month.

Jakai Newton, Georgia State

Newton, who spent two seasons at IU, did not play in Georgia State’s season opener against Eastern Michigan on Monday night.

The Panthers lost 71-49 on the road. It’s unclear if Newton’s absence was injury-related.

Malik Reneau, Miami (FL)

Reneau tallied a game-high 20 points in his debut for the Hurricanes on Monday night. Miami beat Jacksonville 86-69 at the Watsco Center in Miami.

Reneau was 5-for-8 from the field, 10-for-12 from the free-throw line and also had two rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes.

Myles Rice, Maryland

IU’s former point guard is dealing with an ankle injury and did not play in Maryland’s season opener against Coppin State.

The Terps beat the Eagles 83-61 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore.

Bryson Tucker, Washington

It was a successful debut for Tucker, who fell out of the IU rotation late in the season as a freshman.

The 6-foot-7 wing started and played 29 minutes for the Huskies, who crushed Arkansas Pine Bluff, 94-50. Tucker finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and one turnover. He shot 5-for-10 from the field, including a 2-for-5 mark on 3-pointers.

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