Indiana will open the 2024-25 season Wednesday evening in Bloomington as a generally healthy basketball team.
But they’ve certainly dealt with their fair share of issues in the days and months leading to this point.
Just in the public exhibitions, five of their 13 scholarship players have not dressed for one of the two contests.
And when the ball tips against SIU Edwardsville at 8 p.m. Wednesday (BTN), several players will remain under the watchful eyes of the training staff.
Bryson Tucker missed the Tennessee exhibition after taking a knee to his thigh in practice. His 19 point, 3 assist, and 2 rebound performance against Marian on Friday in 23 minutes provided a pretty clear indication he’s doing just fine. Tucker was the first player off the bench in that exhibition and he led the Hoosiers in scoring.
Jakai Newton played his first minutes ever in an IU uniform against Marian after missing the Tennessee game. Newton shook off some rust but was able to score two points, grab 4 rebounds and dish out 3 assists in 12 minutes.
IU coach Mike Woodson said Monday Newton was sore following those minutes, but there’s no indication he suffered any setbacks after more than a year of rehabilitation from knee surgery.
Kanaan Carlyle missed the Marian exhibition with bruised ribs. That’s an injury he suffered against Tennessee according to Woodson. He entered Monday of this week still with an uncertain label after not practicing over the weekend.
Woodson said Monday morning he was hopeful Carlyle would be able to practice this week leading up to Wednesday’s game.
Trey Galloway played against Marian Friday. It was his first game action since the team’s final home game against Michigan State in March. Galloway sat out both the Hoosier Hysteria scrimmage and the Tennessee exhibition as the team continued to take a cautious approach following spring knee surgery. Galloway started in place of Carlyle Friday. He played 11 minutes against Marian and scored 3 points and added 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
On Monday, Woodson provided a positive update on Galloway, indicating the fifth-year guard “passed the test” in terms of how his body responded to the live action.
“He didn’t have any complaints, and practiced the next day (Saturday),” Woodson said of Galloway, adding he’s hopeful the veteran guard can play more minutes on Wednesday.
Anthony Leal appeared to suffer an injury at Tennessee after slipping on the court while closing out on a shooter. That’s at least the injury we’re aware of. He did not dress for the Marian exhibition but appeared to be walking around without any noticeable limitations. Woodson did not address Leal’s status for Wednesday, but at this point Leal does not appear to be dealing with anything significant.
As was the case a year ago, Big Ten teams are required to release injury reports a couple hours before each game. We’ll have updates around 6 p.m. ET Wednesday.
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