Kudos to Indiana Hoosier head coach Mike Woodson on his anniversary of marriage…
On March 28, 2021, Mike Woodson, a former Hoosier All-American and native of Indianapolis, was chosen the 30th head coach in the history of the men’s basketball team by Indiana University Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson.
The Hoosiers have a 63-40 overall record and a 31-29 record in Big Ten Conference play under his direction. For the first time since 2015 and 2016, he led the Hoosiers to consecutive NCAA Tournament berths in his first two seasons. In his first two seasons, Indiana University also made it to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. For the first time since 2001–04, the Hoosiers have won a BTT game in three straight years.
The Hoosiers finished 19-14 overall and 10-10 in Big Ten play in the 2023–24 season. IU earned four B1G road victories (at Michigan, at Ohio State, at Maryland, at Minnesota), which tied for third-most in league play.
In terms of field goal percentage (4th; 47.6%), defensive rebounds per game (5th; 26.1), and blocked shots per night (5th; 4.0), Indiana was among the top five teams in the Big Ten.
He observed the second-year changes of big men Kel’el Ware and Malik Reneau. After a dismal freshman season at Oregon, Ware transferred to Indiana. He finished the season as an All-Big Ten Second Team (coaches selected the Third Team) and All-Defensive pick. Ware became just the third Hoosier in the previous 25 seasons to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He finished seventh in blocks (1.9), 12th in points (15.9), and second in the Big Ten in double-doubles (15), rebounds (9.9), and field goal percentage (58.6%). On his way to being named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, Reneau set career highs in points (15.4 per game), rebounds (6.0), assists (2.7), blocks (0.6), and minutes played (28.8).
After averaging 12.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in 33 starts, Mackenzie Mgbako, a highly anticipated five-star rookie, became the second Hoosier to be named (Co) Big Ten rookie of the Year in as many seasons. Mgbako was one of just two freshman in the NCAA to record at least 50 3-pointers, at least 400 points, 90+ free throw conversions, and 125 rebounds.
The Hoosiers concluded the 2022–23 season placed in the top 25 in both of the major polls. IU concluded with a 12-8 record, good for second place in the Big Ten, and an overall record of 23-12. The season featured victories against Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois—a set of teams that, before Woodson’s arrival, had a combined 20-0 record against the Hoosiers—as well as a road victory over Xavier. IU is 9-3 against those three opponents under Woodson, with wins coming in Champaign, West Lafayette, and Ann Arbor.
