IU basketball non-conference review: Reed Bailey
- Alex Bozich
- 3h ago
IU basketball has completed the non-conference portion of the schedule and the Hoosiers are 10-3.
Ahead of the restart of Big Ten play against Washington on January 4, we’re taking a player-by-player look at each rotation player on the roster’s performance thus far this season.
Up next: Reed Bailey
Previously: Tayton Conerway, Lamar Wilkerson, Tucker DeVries
Bailey’s numbers through 13 games
An All-A10 first team selection last season at Davidson, the 6-foot-10 Bailey has started nine of Indiana’s 13 games.
He’s averaging 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.2 minutes per contest. The Harvard, Massachusetts native is shooting 58.5 percent from the floor and 79.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Bailey has attempted a team-high 72 free throws.
What’s gone right for Bailey
Bailey’s efficiency numbers have been impressive through the non-conference portion of the schedule.
His offensive rating of 138.7 ranks 37th nationally, per KenPom.com.
Bailey is drawing 8.3 fouls per 40 minutes, which ranks second nationally according to KenPom.com, and he’s shooting 60.7 percent on 2s.
His offensive rebounding percentage is also up from last season at Davidson. Last season, Bailey had an offensive rebounding percentage of just 5.1 and this year, he’s at 8.8 percent.
He’s scored in double figures five times, including a pair of 21-point performances in IU wins against Alabama A&M and Kansas State.
Areas of concern for Bailey
Consistency has been an issue for IU’s starting center for the first nine games. That inconsistency likely led to him being replaced in the starting lineup by Sam Alexis after the loss to Louisville on Dec. 6.
Bailey has six games with six or fewer points, including a scoreless performance against Kentucky on Dec. 13 in which he only played eight minutes and attempted one shot.
While his offensive rebounding numbers have been strong, he remains an average, at best, defensive rebounder. He’s yet to record more than eight rebounds in a game and has six games with four or fewer total rebounds. Bailey can run the floor, start the break, and handle the ball, but he doesn’t have great hands, which often leads to him losing rebounds. He also offers little in terms of rim protection, with just four blocked shots all season.
The 3-point shot has also disappeared from his game at Indiana. Last season at Davidson, Bailey attempted 41 3-pointers and connected at a 41.5 percent clip. He’s attempted only four 3-pointers this season, with one make against Milwaukee on Nov. 12. Bailey lacks confidence taking perimeter shots, often catching the ball beyond the arc without even looking at the basket.
Outlook for the rest of the 2025-26 season
Darian DeVries moved Sam Alexis into the starting lineup earlier this month and Bailey has now come off the bench in four games.
His production has remained up and down recently, but he has been doing a solid job of getting to the line and converting.
Because he isn’t a back-to-the-basket scoring threat, Indiana will need to continue finding ways to keep Bailey on the move for him to be effective in Big Ten play.
He’s a good enough ball handler to get past bigger players on the bounce and has done a solid overall job of finishing plays at the rim. His poor defensive rebounding numbers and his inability to guard the post, however, will overwhelm him against some Big Ten opponents.
Shot chart for Bailey through 13 games
Shot chart via our friends at UMHoops.com
See More: Commentary, Reed Bailey