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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson might not be done tinkering with his starting lineup.
The Hoosiers (13-5; 4-3 Big Ten) gave Anthony Leal the starting nod in a 77-76 overtime win over Ohio State at the Schottenstein Center on Friday night. It was the Bloomington South alum’s third career start and first of the season.
Woodson has rarely made changes to his starting lineup during his tenure unless forced by injuries, but he made an exception after IU suffered back-to-back 25-point conference losses. He wanted to “shake things up” and turned to the player that led the Hoosiers to a comeback win over OSU last year in the same building with a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
More: IU at Ohio State player ratings: Luke Goode’s career night, Kanaan Carlyle’s best night
Indiana Hoosiers guard Anthony Leal (3) high-fives his teammates in the first half at Value City Arena on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
“I thought he answered the bell,” Woodson said.
Leal, who started in place of Trey Galloway, blocked John Mobley Jr.’s last ditch shot at the buzzer to close out the win.
He didn’t score in 31 minutes, but his consistent effort and veteran leadership made him a difference-maker. Woodson was pleased with the result (and Leal’s performance), but stopped short of naming Leal a full-time starter.
“It’s all by feel, in terms of where I’m going and what I’m going to do moving forward,” Woodson said.
There are various factors at play from injuries — Woodson remains hopeful Malik Reneau (knee) will return to the lineup in the coming weeks — to managing key players going through shooting slumps. Kanaan Carlyle had his best game of the of the season against OSU, but Galloway and Mackenzie Mgbako have noticeably struggled of late.
Mgbako’s minutes are way down, but he’s maintained his starting role while averaging just four points over the team’s last four games on 13.7% shooting (4 of 29). He’s missed 15 straight 3-point attempts including the four he missed on…
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Author : The Herald-Times
Publish date : 2025-01-18 06:00:00
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