Mike Woodson Restores Optimism Around Indiana Basketball Through Offseason

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – When Liam McNeeley decommitted from Indiana on March 7, the basketball program appeared to be in a downward spiral.

The loss of a five-star recruit and arguably the top 3-point shooter in high school basketball who’s now headed to UConn was just the latest indignity. Indiana was 17-13 at the time and would not make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in coach Mike Woodson’s three seasons. The Hoosiers hovered around No. 100 in most computer rankings and didn’t have a single incoming recruit.

After making steady progress in Woodson’s first two seasons, the future looked grim. There were concerns Indiana could lose some of its best players. There was even national speculation about Woodson’s job security. Improving in Woodson’s fourth season would require a top-notch offseason.

Less than two months later, Indiana has been transformed. It’s listed in some way-too-early top 25 rankings for 2024-25. Some say its potential starting five could be among the best in the nation. 

In a 30-day span, Woodson rattled off five commitments that altered Indiana’s outlook in 2024-25 for the better in a major way. That started with landing five-star freshman Bryson Tucker, followed by incoming transfers like Washington State guard Myles Rice, Arizona center Oumar Ballo, Stanford guard Kanaan Carlyle and Illinois sharpshooting wing Luke Goode. Woodson still has two scholarships to work with, at least one likely being used for front court depth.

Meanwhile, Woodson held on to key starters such as Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau and Trey Galloway. The Hoosiers lost CJ Gunn (DePaul), Kaleb Banks (Tulane) and Payton Sparks (Ball State), but none of them would have been starters or should be considered significant losses. Indiana’s transfer portal class is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, headlined by the 7-foot Ballo, who’s ranked No. 1 among all transfers. Add Tucker, and the Hoosiers’ 2024 class is ranked No. 9 in the nation when combining incoming freshmen and transfers, per 247 Sports. 

This metamorphosis is a lesson that in this new era of college basketball, one disappointing season doesn’t always forecast multiple ones to follow. Indiana actually was in an optimal position heading into the offseason because of its available minutes, exposure at a nationally prominent program, proven college-to-NBA development from its coaches, strong NIL funding and more. 

Woodson had an opportunity to quickly look past last season and build toward a brighter future. And on paper, he’s recruited and retained talent as well as anyone in the sport this offseason.

It’s still nearly six months until the start of the 2024-25 season and plenty of high-impact transfers remain uncommitted, leaving rosters far from set. But national college basketball pundits widely view Indiana as a top-25 roster and a Big Ten contender. Indiana is ranked as high as No. 15 by Jon Rothstein, who posted Friday that, “NO ONE in college basketball is…