Indiana

Mackenzie Mgbako is the key to IU’s fortunes. And he’s starting to unlock his game.

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2024

Mackenzie Mgbako is the key to IU’s fortunes. And he’s starting to unlock his game.

BLOOMINGTON – This looked like a tricky game for Indiana.

Rolling Minnesota, early tipoff on a Friday night with weather expected, five days before Purdue and three days after a fiasco of turnovers and missed free throws at Rutgers. The Gophers arrived on a seven-game win streak, surprising the conference with their dangerousness across a 3-1 Big Ten start and with nothing really to lose as road underdogs in one of the league’s toughest venues.

Indiana, still smarting from that Rutgers loss, arrived knowing a bigger game lay in wait over the hill. Both because of the weight of rivalry in this sport in this state, and also because that game might by itself have the capacity to turn the Hoosiers’ season for better or for worse, permanently.

IU won wire-to-wire vs. Minnesota. But hears why you could hear Hoosiers’ fans groans.

More: IU beats Minnesota behind balanced scoring, stout defense

Friday night’s game should have been difficult for Mike Woodson’s team.

Friday night’s game was over in eight minutes.

And no one was more important to the manner of victory — or frankly the victory itself — than Mackenzie Mgbako, the player who more than any other Hoosier holds his team’s fortunes between now and the end of this season in his hands.

“I thought he was aggressive right from the start. I thought our whole team was aggressive on both ends of the floor,” IU coach Mike Woodson said. “(Mgbako) got some good looks early that he made. I ran a couple plays for him that he was able to knock shots down, and the way they double-team, it opened him up.”

Mgbako scored a game- and career-high 19 points, in a 74-62 win over Minnesota that was scantly even that close. The Gophers were second best in every way in what turned out to be the most important phase of the game: the first two media-timeout segments, when IU (12-5, 4-2) opened a 25-8 lead, put inarguably Minnesota’s two most important players in foul trouble and, with downhill aggressiveness and relentless pressure, buried the visitors.

The Hoosiers, who didn’t actually make it home from New Jersey until Wednesday morning because of the weather, left their turnover problems in Piscataway, and any pity they felt for themselves on the floor of the Rutgers Athletic Center (known contractually as Jersey Mike’s Arena).

Minnesota (12-4, 3-2) looked like a gopher hole — pun absolutely intended — for Indiana’s horse to step into, a hot team with virtually nothing to lose facing up to one that could be forgiven its concerns and doubts.

The Gophers typically score the ball efficiently, and share it remarkably well, and yet this game was never close. Minnesota’s best effort cut the deficit to five, late in the first half. The only 18 seconds of the game Indiana did not lead were the 18 seconds Indiana needed to score its first basket, a Trey Galloway 3-pointer, Assembly Hall, sold out and rowdy despite the impending weather.

“Once we started the game aggressive, it carried over on to our defense, and then defense creates offense,” Mgbako said. “Just being aggressive on both sides of the floor is what created the win tonight.”

This is the formula for the Hoosiers, if they are to make this season into what they want it to be. Branch McCracken Court must be a fortress. Road teams must be required their best effort and their hardest fight just to make anything of a trip to Bloomington, against an undeniably imperfect but — as Friday night showed — still remarkably talented team.

Make Bloomington a difficult place for opponents to come across these next two months, and this team can scrap out for itself the results necessary to demand a place in the NCAA tournament.

But it will take all of what the Hoosiers showed Friday, and precious little of what they showed Tuesday, this week providing a remarkably timed juxtaposition of IU at its worst, compared to IU at its best.

“We’ve got to somehow convert how we play here at home on the road,” Woodson said. “That’s going to be the difference moving forward.”

And while Mgbako need not do most or all of it himself, Friday night provided the latest and perhaps most convincing evidence he is the as-yet-undefined number that changes the calculus for this team.

Kel’el Ware and Malik Reneau (33 points, 20 rebounds Friday) will always produce in the post. Xavier Johnson can be mercurial, even frustrating, and Tuesday reminded us his game will at times cross certain lines. But he is also remarkably creative, and when his focus is properly trained he is dogged on defense.

Friday was the best of Galloway, Kansas game excepted, his 10 points, two 3s, three rebounds and seven assists all crucial. There were important contributions from Gabe Cupps, Anthony Walker, CJ Gunn — that looks like Indiana’s bench for the foreseeable future, Woodson paring his rotation down earlier in the calendar, perhaps, than he did in either of his first two years.

There’s so much that feels, if not settled, then at least proven about these Hoosiers, good and bad. The one open question is perhaps the biggest of the season, even dating back as far as June and July, when this team came together to begin the process of making something of itself.

Mgbako is — not just because of his five-star billing or his All-American status in high school but simply his obvious gifts, traits and abilities — the player with both the greatest ceiling, and the clearest ability to raise his team’s as well.

You saw it Friday night.

The downhill assertiveness against defenders incapable of managing Mgbako’s blend of length, size and athleticism on the drive. The reach and instincts that, finally applied consistently on defense, make him a frustrating matchup. The 3-point shot that has not-so-quietly come around — Mgbako is shooting 38.9% from behind the arc over his past 12 games, and 45.5% (10-of-22) from range in Big Ten play.

This isn’t meant to suggest none of his teammates can or will improve across the coming weeks. Reneau clearly already has. Ware remains somewhere south of his prodigious and almost certainly NBA-ready ceiling. Should Galloway find more of the offensive and creative consistency he’s shown beginning with the Kansas game (when he scored 28 points), he can be a difference maker for this team.

The list goes on. But it starts and it stops with Mgbako. Indiana will insist upon playing him at the three, unless in case of emergency, for the rest of this season. That will certainly challenge him again defensively, but it will also present more nights like Friday, when he faces a cover so much shorter, so much less athletic and so clearly overmatched Mgbako will find, if he works for them, stretches of the game which he can very simply dominate.

Earlier this season, Woodson flatly disagreed with the notion a player of Mgbako’s top-10 billing should simply be expected to arrive in college the finished article. Woodson promised his freshman forward would continue to improve, both technically and tactically, as he spent more time at the college level, an improvement Mgbako now both shows and, crucially, recognizes.

“He’s put the work in,” Woodson said. “He’s continuing to work, along with the rest of our young players. All we can do as coaches is continue to teach and push and try to get as much out of them as we can as we continue this journey.”

For one of the most distinct players — because of his position, his skills and his role within his team — in the Big Ten, the curve finally appears to be steepening toward Mgbako’s best.

The more that curve climbs, the better Mgbako gets, the more he understands what he’s capable of and what’s required of him and why he makes such a remarkable difference for his team, the higher Indiana’s own ceiling climbs. No player currently enjoys greater influence over either the course, or the outcome, of this season in Bloomington.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.

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Indiana

Creole Chrome Looks for Graded Glory in Indiana Derby

Published

2 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Press Room

Creole Chrome Looks for Graded Glory in Indiana Derby

After Three Diamonds Farm’s Creole Chrome got bounced around by some of the country’s best and fastest 3-year-olds, trainer Joe Sharp thought a confidence-builder was in order before heading to Saturday’s $300,000, Grade 3 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Would an 18-length romp work? That was Creole Chrome’s winning margin against fellow Louisiana-breds in Evangeline Downs’ Louisiana Legends Cheval Stakes at a two-turn mile on June 6.

“Mission accomplished,” Sharp said by phone from Saratoga. “He came out of the race in really good order. We wanted to try taking the blinkers off and going back to a stretch-out. He was able to relax nicely going into the first turn, set off those two horses, and I think he made the lead just on class alone. But he just seemed real comfortable, within himself, and you know that gave him some confidence to try a little bit deeper water again.”

That comes in the 1 1/16-mile Indiana Derby, where Creole Chrome is among the leading contenders in what shapes up as a field of seven 3-year-olds. A chestnut son of Three Chimneys’ Grade 1-winning Kentucky stallion Volatile, Creole Chrome was foaled in Louisiana and began his career winning three of four starts against Louisiana-breds at the Fair Grounds.

That encouraged his team to take a shot at Keeneland’s Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass, where a win or second could have secured a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Creole Chrome finished fourth, with Further Ado rolling to an 11-length victory. Instead of the Derby, Creole Chrome ran the same day in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile around one turn. He again was up close early before weakening to sixth.

“I think we asked him to be quick, to be close in a couple of spots,” Sharp reflected. “It was kind of a reset to go down to Louisiana and try something different, and it all worked out well.

“We were obviously expecting to win the race, but we were also trying to use it as a building block to set us up for this race here. What we were hoping to accomplish was to be able to sit, just be able to settle a little bit early. And that’s what we saw; that’s what we were happy with. Obviously, as the waters get deeper, you can’t be one-dimensional if you want to take on more upper levels of competition.”

Sharp said Creole Chrome was too much on the engine in the Blue Grass.

“That was the first time he’d gotten a little bit keen on us,” he said. “I kind of gave Tyler (Gaffalione) instructions that probably were bad. Because I was anticipating him to be able to kind of squeeze away from there, get a good position, and then the horse would relax for him. Once he squeezed on him, he didn’t relax and just never really shut off. Same thing back to the Pat Day Mile, Irad (Ortiz) had ridden him in the morning, had a lot of confidence in him. When he broke and asked him to get position, he wouldn’t get off the bridle and then was five-wide — just not the way you can win a big race. So yeah, I think we all just kind of learned something about the horse. That’s why the race in Louisiana was important, just to explore a new tactic with him.”

Creole Chrome will have his sixth different rider in six races (Timothy Thornton rode him at Evangeline Downs), with Ortiz riding the Brad Cox-trained Leading Change, who could be made the Indiana Derby betting favorite off an impressive debut race. Sharp was able to get another nationally prominent jockey in Junior Alvarado, winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes on Horse of the Year Sovereignty. Alvarado was coming to Horseshoe Indianapolis to ride Star Actress in the $200,000, Grade 3 Indiana Oaks for trainer Bill Mott.

“He’s never going to be a horse that’s far back, right?” Sharp said. “We’re not going to fight him if he’s on the lead. But just the ability to shut off and relax is what he seemed to really show that he could do in that last race at Louisiana.”

Sharp is among those who think the public will make Leading Change the favorite off his 6 1/2-length maiden win at Churchill Downs, even if it’s his only start and came at seven furlongs.

“We ran second to Brad’s horse in that maiden race at Churchill Downs, and we liked our horse (Don’s Winner) a lot,” Sharp said. “So, I was impressed by his horse that day. Obviously, Creole has a lot more seasoning, so hopefully the race experience will help him out, because you know Brad’s horse is not short of ability.”

Ortiz seconds that opinion of Leading Change, opting to come to Indiana to ride instead of being at Saratoga.

“He won nicely the first time out in the debut,” Ortiz said up at Saratoga. “He is very straightforward and has a good mind. I was working him last year and, unfortunately, he did not make the races (as a 2-year-old). He was working good, and he has looked like a nice horse since Day One. First time out, the way he did it was impressive.

“Obviously, he just broke his maiden. But he can step up a little bit with some nice horses.”

Sharp does get the services of Ortiz aboard Miwa, one of the favorites in the $100,000 Indiana General Assembly Distaff Handicap on the Indiana Derby undercard. Miwa won a Churchill Downs allowance race in her first start since November.

“She ran a great race back off the layoff the other day,” he said. “She was really, really good to us at Kentucky Downs. She won down there, and I wheeled her back in eight days, and she ran third in a $2 million stakes. In hindsight, that kind of wiped her out for the year. She was kind of a little flat after that, so they freshened her, brought her back, and she ran a huge race. We’re trying to get her a stakes win, get her some black type.”

Sharp also has the stakes-winning Seminole Chief in the $100,000 Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial for older males on turf. In his first start for Sharp last time out, Seminole Chief won a $75,000 claiming race at Churchill Downs.

“He’s obviously has the back class to be competitive against these kinds,” Sharp said. “I thought he ran one of his best races in recent years the other day. So, staying local and giving him a little shot at picking up some more black type made sense. But I thought that race came up pretty tough.”

Indiana Derby Day begins at 12 p.m. for the 13-race card. Additional activities surround the event trackside, including a $3,000 Indiana Derby Megabet drawing, $2,500 Indiana Derby Day Legends contest sponsored by Indiana HBPA, and a $1,000 Indiana Derby Hat Contest. Fans will also be treated to a cigar rolling station, selfie station, and face painting for the kids. Food trucks and various booths will also be available throughout the day, leading up to the Indiana Derby set as Race 12 on the program.

The 24th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse extends through Friday, November 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.

This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.

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Kelsey Mitchell winner completes Fever comeback against Mercury, without Caitlin Clark

Published

13 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Press Room

Kelsey Mitchell winner completes Fever comeback against Mercury, without Caitlin Clark

PHOENIX — The Indiana Fever barely eked out of Mortgage Matchup Arena with a 92-89 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night on the second night of a back-to-back.

Caitlin Clark (rest) did not play after making her return on a minutes restriction on Wednesday against Los Angeles. Aliyah Boston, who missed the game against L.A. for precautionary reasons, finished with 19 points and eight rebounds against the Mercury.

Kelsey Mitchell scored 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting, adding on eight assists. She hit the game-winning layup with 10 seconds left. Tyasha Harris finished with 15 points and five assists, including a stretch of nine of 11 Fever points to close the gap.

Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas had 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists, Kahleah Copper added 22 points and five rebounds.

Here’s what I liked and disliked, and what the win means.

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What I liked in the Indiana Fever’s win vs Phoenix Mercury

Early 3-point shooting: One of Boston’s main focuses this offseason was improving her 3-point shot, and it’s coming to fruition. She made two 3-pointers in the first quarter, helping lead the Fever to six total makes beyond the arc in the opening 10-minute period. Harris, starting in place of Clark, had two 3-pointers in the first quarter, as well, with Lexie Hull and Mitchell each making one. At the time, it was big for the Fever to maintain a lead.
Roaring back in the third quarter: Basketball is a game of runs, and the Fever embodied that. They led by 12 in the first, then trailed by four at halftime, then went on a 20-9 run over seven minutes in the third quarter to take a one-point lead by the end of the third. Mitchell was the one to lead that comeback, scoring nine points on 3-of-6 shooting along with three assists in that quarter. The third was crucial for the Fever not just to get back into the lead, but, especially on a back-to-back, to try and have the mental fortitude to close the game out.
Tyasha Harris coming in clutch: Harris’ role has expanded since Clark has been out (or limited), and she is making the most of her minutes. She scored nine points in the fourth quarter alone, including a 3-pointer with three minutes left to take the lead, then four straight points to give the Fever the lead again with 44 seconds left. She finished the game with 15 points and five assists, being the facilitator the Fever need while Clark recovers.

What I disliked in the Indiana Fever’s win vs Phoenix Mercury

Second-quarter slide: For the second straight game, the Fever held a double-digit lead in the first quarter then were trailing by halftime. The Fever allowed the Mercury to shoot 12 of 20 from the field in the second quarter (and 5 of 8 from 3-point range), completely negating the Fever’s six 3-pointers from the first quarter. Phoenix went on a 12-2 run over the final three minutes of the quarter, too, taking advantage of the Fever’s off the mark shots.
Silly mistakes: In a close game like this, every possession matters. And every mistake compounds. The Fever had a few in the second half, including a shot-clock violation from Harris where she wasn’t even in shooting motion yet, a defensive three-seconds foul from Aliyah Boston, a backcourt violation from Kelsey Mitchell, and another shot clock violation from Raven Johnson to start the fourth quarter. All of those mistakes gives Phoenix extra points or extra possessions. While the Fever ultimately won the game, it made it closer than it needed to be.

What the Indiana Fever’s win vs Phoenix Mercury means

Indiana (13-9) is a strong team offensively, but recently, the Fever haven’t been able to get out of their own way on defense. It showed in the runs they gave up to Phoenix, flip-flopping the lead and forcing the Fever to continue to play from behind. It worked out for Indiana this time around, finding what they needed when they needed it, but it won’t be sustainable long term.

Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.

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Attempted murder suspect arrested in Indianapolis for Bloomington shooting

Published

23 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

Attempted murder suspect arrested in Indianapolis for Bloomington shooting

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — A Bloomington man was arrested Wednesday in Indianapolis on an attempted murder charge after police say he fired seven to eight rounds into a white GMC SUV occupied by three adults and four children last month in Bloomington before fleeing the area.

A news release issued Thursday from the Bloomington Police Department said members of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s special weapons and tactics team took Kafern P. Johnson, 32, into custody near the intersection of West 84th Street and Allison Avenue in Indianapolis without incident.

The arrest came more than two weeks after the June 23 shooting in the 1000 block of North Summit Street. That’s in a residential area next to Crestmont Park in Bloomington.

Monroe County Central Emergency Dispatch received 911 calls at 7:41 p.m. June 23 reporting gunfire in the area.

Responding patrol officers and detectives determined Johnson had fired into the SUV following a verbal fight with the vehicle’s driver. Police said the dispute stemmed from an argument over a relationship.

No injuries were reported despite the number of people inside the vehicle.

Following his arrest, Johnson was taken to an IMPD facility for questioning and later booked into the Marion County jail. On Thursday morning, he was booked into the Monroe County jail.

The release said Johnson could face felony charges of attempted murder, criminal recklessness with a firearm, and pointing a firearm. No formal charges have yet been filed, according to online court records.

Bloomington police asked anyone with additional information to call 812-349-3324.

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.

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