Indiana

Should Gonzaga target Indiana transfer Myles Rice?

Published

4 days ago

March 26, 2025

Should Gonzaga target Indiana transfer Myles Rice?

One by one, members of the Indiana Hoosiers’ men’s basketball team entered their names into the transfer portal Wednesday, as the program shifts in a new direction under head coach Darian DeVries.

DeVries, previously with the West Virginia Mountaineers, did not get a chance to meet with his team immediately when he was hired March 18, though with Indiana’s spring break wrapped up, it appears the process of moving beyond the Mike Woodson era is in full effect.

Seven scholarship players from the 2024-25 Hoosiers roster have entered the portal so far, including three of the team’s top four scorers in Malik Reneau (13.3 points per game), Mackenzie Mgbako (12.2 points) and Myles Rice (10.1 points). That leaves DeVries with just one scholarship player from last season: 6-foot-6 forward Bryson Tucker. Luke Goode could return if his injury waiver from the 2022-23 season is approved; nonetheless, DeVries is essentially starting year one in Bloomington, Indiana, from scratch.

Building from the ground up isn’t anything new to DeVries. Despite bringing back just 5.3% of the minutes played from the 2023-24 Mountaineers team, he brought in a handful of transfers — including a South Bend, Indiana, native in Javon Small — and assembled a team that many felt was deserving of an at-large bid into the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Yet, despite boasting wins over the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Arizona Wildcats from nonconference play, West Virginia was snubbed, and DeVries decided to move on after one season at the helm.

Following that overtime game in the Battle 4 Atlantis opener, the Zags bounced back with an 89-73 win over the Hoosiers on the second day. Oumar Ballo led the way with 25 points against his former team, while Mgbako was the only other Indiana player to score in double figures, finishing with 13 points and four rebounds.

Rice, the former Pac-12 Rookie of the Year with the Washington State Cougars, only had six points and committed five personal fouls in 20 minutes against Gonzaga. The 6-foot-3 guard was capable of filling up the scoring column on any given night with his ability to get downhill and attack the basket. Other nights, however, Rice was much less effective as a scorer. He had 23- and 20-point performances during his first four games, but then followed with 11 points combined over his next three games.

As a freshman with the Cougars, Rice started all 35 games and averaged 14.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals while guiding WSU to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008. He transferred after his head coach, Kyle Smith, left to coach the Stanford Cardinal and remained in a power conference structure.

Following another coaching change, could Rice make his return to the Inland Northwest — this time to play for the team in Spokane?

The Zags are likely in the market for another guard this offseason, knowing that Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman and Khalif Battle exhausted their final years of eligibility. Those three combined to knock down 173 of the team’s 263 made 3-pointers, or about 65.8%, along with the many contributions they made this season on the playmaking and defensive fronts. Rice hasn’t been known for his outside touch in college, though he did improve from 27.5% as a freshman to 32.5% his sophomore season.

Braeden Smith is set to take the reins at the point guard spot, while Emmanuel Innocenti could return for his junior year to bolster the backcourt as well. With Dusty Stromer in the portal, the Bulldogs don’t have much in the way of guard depth for next season outside of Smith and Innocenti. Mark Few will run 3-guard lineups when he and the coaching staff see fit, and with Innocenti’s versatility at 6-foot-5 and Smith’s ability to set the table at the point, Rice would in theory have a spot in an off-ball role that allows him to share touches with Smith.

Gonzaga’s offenses have historically operated at a high level when it’s being run by experienced guards who can both handle the rock and create for themselves. Rice’s one season with Indiana was somewhat of a letdown compared to his freshman year with WSU, but with the right coaching staff, he could get back on course.

MORE GONZAGA NEWS & ANALYSIS

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Indiana

Fast-moving storms cause damage in Northwest Indiana

Published

35 minutes ago

March 30, 2025

Press Room

Fast-moving storms cause damage in Northwest Indiana – CBS Chicago

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The storms also left tens of thousands without power. Meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist has a breakdown of wind speeds.

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Indiana

Severe storms expected later today | Mar. 30, 2025

Published

12 hours ago

March 30, 2025

Press Room

Severe storms expected later today | Mar. 30, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — After a wet Saturday, additional showers are impacting the area this morning. This afternoon into tonight severe storms are expected.

TODAY: Scattered morning showers will continue. If morning showers linger around longer into the midday hours may impact when strong storms fire this afternoon. An enhanced (3/5) risk is in place for Indiana. Our timetable for severe weather will be from 3 PM to 11 PM. A line of showers and storms will form and cross the state. Ahead of that line, we could have a couple of cells/supercells.

Damaging wind will be the primary concern, but a couple tornadoes remain possible in addition to large hail. The tornado threat is slightly higher in southern Indiana compared to the rest of the state. Large hail would be most possible in cells forming in western Indiana. High temperatures in the low 70s.

TONIGHT: Severe storms are expected exit southeastern Indiana completely by 11 PM. A few showers will be left over into the early morning hours. Low temperatures will be in the low to mid-40s.

TOMORROW: Isolated to spotty showers are possible in the breakfast hours. Otherwise, mostly cloudy to cloudy skies remain for the rest of the day. High temperatures will be reach at midnight near 60 degrees, but the afternoon temperatures are in the upper 40s.

7-DAY FORECAST: Tuesday is the pick of the week with dry conditions and temperatures in the mid-50s. Severe weather chances could return Wednesday with an enhanced risk already in place. Scattered showers will come in waves through the end of the work week. Flooding may be a concern by then with multiple inches of rain falling.

To track the latest with the showers and storms for today visit our interactive radar page here.

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Indiana

Darian DeVries gets first taste of Indiana high school basketball as IU coach

Published

23 hours ago

March 29, 2025

Press Room

Darian DeVries gets first taste of Indiana high school basketball as IU coach

INDIANAPOLIS — Well, he needs players. First-year Indiana basketball coach Darian DeVries is without a roster, save for one signed freshman who fled the state for a year at a prep powerhouse.

The churn of the transfer portal and expectancy of a roster rebuild after a coaching change leaves IU without a player from last season’s roster. That sometimes can be deceiving but, for the Hoosiers, it is true as a result of having 19 players last season and only 15 roster spots once the House vs NCAA settlement is approved, as it is expected to be April 7.

It shouldn’t be long before the Hoosiers have players, though. That date will establish a clearinghouse which will monitor NIL deals, so college teams have reasons to set their rosters, at least financially, before they have to report those deals.

DeVries is looking for those who fit him, his coaching peers and foes told IndyStar, and that includes at Saturday’s IHSAA basketball state finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Perhaps he’s looking for a diamond in the rough for next year, or just scouting for the future. Follow along with state here.

Where is IU basketball recruit Trent Sisley?

Remember the signed freshman who went to a prep powerhouse? That would be Trent Sisley, Hoosier through and through (the coaching change), who starred at Heritage Hills before taking his talents to Montverde Academy in Florida.

That same move has worked out for this year’s March Madness stars: Maryland’s Derik Queen hit a memorable and widely debated game-winner to hold off Colorado State’s upset bid, and Duke’s Cooper Flagg is likely the No. 1 NBA Draft pick in June. Montverde has sent stars, and plenty of one-and-dones, to the NBA. Think Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard and Detroit Pistons rising stars Cade Cunnigham and Jalen Duren.

There’s also a Montverde-to-IU pipeline, of sorts. Both Malik Reneau and Jalen Hood-Schifino attended the powerhouse before wearing cream and crimson candy stripes. And next, Sisley, who Hoosiers fans can watch Wednesday at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers as part of the national tournament.

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