Indiana University’s men’s basketball navigated a challenging 2023-24 season marked by the absence of a postseason appearance and uncertainties surrounding head coach Mike Woodson’s future. However, these setbacks haven’t hindered the Hoosiers’ recruiting efforts this spring.
Just a month ago, Indiana faced significant roster turnover with seven vacant spots and no commitments from high school recruits or transfers. Yet, in a span of 23 days, Coach Woodson and his staff orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. They secured commitments from four players, beginning with highly touted high school prospect Bryson Tucker on March 28 and culminating with the addition of transfer guard Kanaan Carlyle from Stanford University.
In between, Indiana bolstered its roster with commitments from transfer players Myles Rice from Washington State University and Oumar Ballo from the University of Arizona. These moves quickly filled four of the team’s seven available scholarships.
What sets Indiana’s recruiting class apart is its quality. According to 247sports, the Hoosiers have assembled the top transfer portal class in the nation. Ballo, ranked as the best transfer of this offseason, is joined by Carlyle (ranked 10th) and Rice (ranked 18th) in the top 20 nationally.
Including Tucker, Indiana ranks 15th nationally and second in the Big Ten in overall player acquisitions, as reported by On3. The team’s returning core includes three full-time starters: senior guard Trey Galloway, freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako, and sophomore forward Malik Reneau. Additionally, senior guard Anthony Leal and freshman guard Gabe Cupps have opted to return for another season in Bloomington.
Despite these positives, Indiana faces the challenge of replacing Kel’el Ware, their top scorer and rebounder, who departed for the NBA Draft. The Hoosiers finished last season with a 19-14 record and are determined to bounce back stronger.
Following their disappointing end in the Big Ten Tournament against Nebraska, Coach Woodson emphasized the need to bolster talent and improve during the offseason. In just over a month, he addressed key needs by adding Ballo to fill Ware’s void and revitalized the team’s backcourt with Rice and Carlyle.
With Rice’s scoring ability (14.8 points per game) and Carlyle’s playmaking skills (11.5 points per game), Indiana boasts a versatile group of guards capable of creating opportunities on both ends of the floor. While the roster still requires additional 3-point shooters and a backup for Ballo, the recent acquisitions have significantly upgraded Indiana’s talent pool.
According to 247sports’ metrics, Indiana leads the way in the transfer portal acquisitions, underscoring their success in leveraging the offseason to strengthen their roster. As the offseason progresses, fans can follow reporters Will Foley (@foles24) and Matt Press (@MattPress23), along with columnist Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick), for the latest updates on Indiana men’s basketball.