Myles Rice, Bryson Tucker star

On By Littum

BLOOMINGTON – IU was pressured for 40 minutes Thursday in a 69-58 win against UNC Greensboro. Here’s how Hoosiers rated out:

*denotes man of the match

APPETIZERS

∎ Myles Rice: 9/10*

Once again at the heart of everything, with 20 points, five rebounds and six assists. His 3-point shooting continues to decline, a promising sign of progress from last year and a potent long-term weapon. IU struggles when he’s not on the floor, a clear early sign of his importance.

Takeaways: Freshman saves IU from disaster as Mike Woodson’s substitution patterns continue to confound

∎ Canaan Carlyle: 5/10

Still fighting for that offense. Energy is good on the other end of the floor, but the turnover seemed to annoy Mike Woodson, understandably. Definitely one of this team’s best guards. Still figuring out where he fits in that pecking order.

∎ Mackenzie Mgbako: 5/10

His quietest night of the young season. It wasn’t terrible, but never really found its place on offense and finished with nine points. There will be nights like these. It sounds counterintuitive, but as Mgbako’s offense expands and plays well through the nights, that will be his next challenge.

∎ Malik Reneau: 6/10

Did yeoman’s work inside on a night where Greensboro’s speed and physicality chewed up the field. We probably still haven’t seen Reneau’s best except for the Tennessee show. It’s a subtle sign of Indiana’s growth that Hoosiers don’t seem bothered by it so far.

∎ Oumar Ballo: 6/10

The Bahamas will be a fascinating test of his long-term role. Does Indiana expand its offense to accommodate more sets for him, especially as his back-to-the-basket game improves? Or are rebounding and rim protection his primary KPIs this season? If it’s the latter, he’s fine.

RESERVE

∎ Trey Galloway: 5/10

A strangely quiet game. Seemed caught in a halfway house between creation and scoring. Still finished with three rebounds and two assists, but also committed three turnovers in just 15 minutes off the bench. He will have better days.

∎ Bryson Tucker: 8/10

Gave Indiana a much needed injection of energy off the bench. Get after his covers defensively, with deflections and forced turnovers. Displayed an excellent mid-range game, especially coming around screens, offensively. Made a pass or two beyond his year as well. Finished with 14 points and three rebounds.

∎ Luke Goode: 6/10

When his 3 went down in transition in the second half, Assembly Hall erupted as it rarely did at any other individual time. Indiana should have every faith it will come.

∎ Langdon Hatton: reach

Man of the match awards this season: Mgbako (2), rice (2).

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