If there’s one constant missing from IU basketball since their last Big Ten title, the lack of a verbal alpha leader might just be it. It’s at least one aspect of the program that’s seemingly been in short supply more often than not.
Yogi Ferrell was the unquestioned leader of the 2015-16 Hoosiers, and at times he seemed to pull that whole team along with him.
But since then, player after player have told us at this very time of year, they are more of a lead-by-example kind of guy. We’d hear those quotes and wonder if it mattered to have the captains of the team say they weren’t verbal leaders, and then the results on the floor were what they were.
It would be oversimplifying things to say Indiana has been underwhelming the last eight years because they lacked leadership from the players. But there at least seem to be some dots to connect.
That is to say, to some meaningful extent, it has mattered.
Trey Galloway has been on five of Indiana’s last nine teams including the 2024-25 Hoosiers, and he sees something unique on this year’s squad.
It isn’t common for a transfer to be named a team captain and represent the program at Big Ten Media Day. But in Myles Rice, Galloway sees uncommon attributes that have elevated him to a front-and-center role in the IU locker room.
“From day one, the way he came in and took over as a leader, it’s amazing to see. It made me proud and happy to have him be my teammate,” Galloway said of Rice at Big Ten Media Day. “We haven’t had a vocal leader like him, because there’s no one like him that I’ve played with ever. The way he’s able to talk to guys and be that influencer on the court is very special to see.”
Rice showed up on campus in the spring ready to take on that leadership role. That was in part because his coach demanded it, but more so because it just comes natural to the redshirt sophomore.
Galloway immediately noticed how in his element Rice was in front of the team.
“It’s a new team, so it’s hard for guys to speak up,” Galloway said. “People are shy obviously, but he’s not. That’s a good quality to have, and he’s able to bring guys together. There were plenty of times this summer where we needed somebody to be vocal and he was that guy. It was something that we needed and it’s going to pay off for us in the long run.”
Guard play was a clear shortcoming on last year’s team. It became a crisis when Xavier Johnson went down with an injury and was never able to consistently return to his 2021-22 form, and as a sophomore, C.J. Gunn didn’t make the jump in production and confidence many were hoping for.
But while IU coach Mike Woodson turned towards the transfer portal looking for more backcourt scoring and playmaking, he also went that route seeking out more effective leadership from his players.
“Point guards do need to be an extension of the head coach,” Woodson said.
“That was something when were recruiting him (Rice) that we talked to him about. That position requires leadership.”
With Rice starting at point guard last year, Washington State made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 16 seasons, and they tied their program record with 14 conference wins.
Named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, he rewrote the school freshman record book, breaking the single-game scoring, single-season scoring, single-season steals, single-season assists, single-season field goals, and single-season free throw percentage records. He averaged 14.8 points per game and added 3.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
He did all that despite it being his first year on the floor, after a redshirt freshman season, and missing his second year due to a battle with cancer.
Some players aren’t born with natural leadership instincts, but they can develop into that role over time as they gain comfort and confidence.
But Rice appears to be one of the unique individuals who is comfortable being in charge from the jump.
Fueled by both what he’s been through, and what he accomplished on the court last season, Rice has not hesitated to take a lead role right away in Bloomington.
And it’s really just his natural instincts taking over.
“I would say it comes natural to me (to lead),” Rice said at IU’s media day. “You’re never around the same people every year, every moment. So just being able to be comfortable in your skin and be a leader wherever you’re at, I think that carries over to here.
“I’ve been a leader and been outgoing since I was two, three years old, thanks to my Mom. So it’s just me being able to be comfortable in my skin, knowing that they want me to be a leader.”
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Myles has been a nice addition because he’s game-changer with his ability to push the ball up the floor and make shots.
