Indiana

Three Things To Watch For As Indiana Basketball Takes On Sam Houston

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2024

Three Things To Watch For As Indiana Basketball Takes On Sam Houston

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana men’s basketball entered the season with hope and expectation that a return to the NCAA Tournament was imminent and that the Hoosiers might find their way among the national powers again.

Indiana entered Battle 4 Atlantis with the No. 14 ranking in the polls. A preseason victory at Tennessee seemed to justify those hopes.

However, Battle 4 Atlantis proved to be a humbling experience for the Hoosiers. An 89-61 loss to Louisville in the opening game was a shocker that sent much of the Indiana fanbase into immediate angst. Indiana got a chance to make amends with a quality win over Gonzaga, but the Bulldogs rolled 89-73 in another heavy defeat for the Hoosiers.

Indiana avoided an 0-3 Battle 4 Atlantis performance with an 89-73 win over Providence, but the damage was already done. Indiana did not get the quality wins it needed in the Bahamas and Monday’s NCAA NET rankings put Indiana in 71st – well off the pace needed to be considered a NCAA Tournament team.

Indiana (5-2) can make up for none of this in its nonconference matchup with Sam Houston at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, but the Hoosiers need to demonstrate – if not to themselves, then to the fans – that they are proceeding down a path that can lead them out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves.

One thing is certain – Indiana has removed any room for slip-ups. Without any quality nonconference wins in the Bahamas, the Hoosiers have to run the table against their mid-major nonconference foes. If they lose even one of those games, even a couple of quality wins in the Big Ten play won’t necessarily make up for it.

Here are three things to watch for from the Hoosiers when they face off against the Bearkats:

1. Can Indiana Win By A Large Margin?

Indiana Hoosiers guard Myles Rice (1) grabs the ball away from Providence Friars guard Jayden Pierre (1) during the second half at Imperial Arena at the Atlantis resort. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

It’s sad, to me at least, that margin of victory has become such an important part of how metrics are used by various rankings systems and how it’s baked into the NCAA’s NET rankings.

The NCAA claims it doesn’t use margin of victory data, but it does use offensive and defensive efficiencies, which are absolutely influenced by margin of victory, which in turn, is influenced by strength of schedule.

“This thing’s become a complete numbers game,” NC State coach Kevin Keatts said in a Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch story in February. “Unfortunately, I think it takes away from the sportsmanship. … You’ve got to try and beat the heck out of people just to improve your NET.”

Unfortunately, that’s the way the criteria works in 2024-25 too, so scores shall be run up.

The expected victory margin over Sam Houston is 14 points. The Hoosiers need to exceed that and push the margin as high as they can. Should it be that way? Not in any kind of sporting way it shouldn’t, but the Hoosiers have to play the game, especially given that they lack quality wins elsewhere.

2. Will Indiana Take More 3-Point Shots?

Indiana Hoosiers forward Mackenzie Mgbako (21) shoots over Providence Friars forward Eli DeLaurier (12) during the second half at Imperial Arena at the Atlantis resort. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

In the 2023-24 season, Indiana endured a lot of criticism for not taking 3-point shots. Indiana ranked 273rd in 3-point shooting percentage in 2024 at 32.4%.

While the construction of the roster could be, and was, criticized for not having enough shooters, once the season started, it didn’t make much sense for Indiana to foist threes it couldn’t consistently make, especially when it had high-percentage producers like Kel’El Ware and Malik Reneau near the rim.

So far in the 2024-25 season, Indiana has been similarly dependent on 2-point shots. Unlike last season, the Hoosiers don’t need to be.

This was mentioned in the How To Watch story, but it bears repeating. Of the 58.9 shots per game Indiana takes, 41.3 of them are from 2-point range. Indiana ranks 305th and 340th nationally in 3-point shots made (6.3) and 3-point shots attempted (17.6).

With last year’s roster? This stood to reason, but not with this one.

The Hoosiers rank 105th nationally in 3-point percentage at 35.8%. That puts the Hoosiers in the top third of Division I in 3-point shooting.

One understands the temptation to throw the ball into the paint to Oumar Ballo and Reneau – both can be very difficult to stop in the paint. However, Indiana needs to take better advantage of what appears to be a good shooting team.

3. Can Indiana Run Sam Houston Off The 3-point Line?

Sam Houston State Bearkats guard Lamar Wilkerson (3) scores a three-point basket against Baylor Bears guard Jalen Celestine (32) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. / Chris Jones-Imagn Images

Sam Houston (4-4) will not hesitate to fire away from long range – and for good reason. The Bearkats rank 17th nationally in 3-point percentage at 40.3%. Lamar Wilkerson, Dorian Finister and Cameron Huefner all convert at better than 40% from long range.

Indiana has done a good job in 3-point percentage defense (29.9%, ranked 95th nationally), but a bad job in preventing 3-point attempts to begin with. Indiana opponents have averaged 26.3 attempts per game, which puts the Hoosiers in the bottom quarter of Division I.

Indiana has done a poor job of preventing opponents’ shots of any kind (Indiana is giving up almost 64 field goal attempts per game, a bottom 30 Division I ranking), but against the dead-eye Bearkats? The 3-point defense has to be on-point.

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Indiana

FBI agents searching home of former Pickleball Rocks owner in Brookville, Indiana

Published

29 minutes ago

December 4, 2024

Press Room

FBI agents searching home of former Pickleball Rocks owner in Brookville, Indiana

BROOKVILLE, Ind. — FBI agents are searching a home in Brookville, Indiana belonging to a man who once owned the apparel company Pickleball Rocks.

According to the FBI, agents are seeking to identify potential victims who may have invested with the owner of the home, Rodney Grubbs.

The FBI is asking anyone who may have been victimized by Grubbs to fill out a form on their website. The agency says all victim identities will be kept confidential.

The FBI’s Indianapolis Division is seeking to identify potential victims who invested with Rodney Grubbs, the former owner of Pickleball Rocks. Please visit https://t.co/XvWnr0AOKn for additional information and a link to a short form.
— FBI Indianapolis (@FBIIndianapolis) December 4, 2024
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Agents at Grubbs’ home were seen carrying boxes out of the home and putting them into an unmarked vehicle parked outside. An FBI spokesperson said agents were executing a search warrant at the home, but did not say what prompted the search.

The FBI did not say whether Grubbs has been charged with any crimes at this time.

In January, Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales issued a cease and desist order to Grubbs “to stop an alleged fraudulent investment scheme concerning a Pickleball apparel and equipment company All About Pickleball LLC., also known as ‘Pickleball Rocks.’”

The petition alleges Grubbs solicited investments in the form of promissory notes from investors that “contained a high interest rate of 12% compounded monthly and contained an 18% penalty provision in the case of default.”

Grubbs allegedly met and solicited investors at pickleball tournaments; many of those investors have not been repaid, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

In 2023, multiple people filed civil cases against Grubbs, claiming they’d made investments to him and were not paid back. The suits claim Grubbs promised the plaintiffs returns, with interest ranging from 14% to 21%, and amounts owed by Grubbs totaling in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

In three civil cases filed by different investors between July 2023 and November 2023, plaintiffs claim Grubbs issued them promissory notes, then refused to pay the resulting principal and interest.

All three plaintiffs won their cases. Grubbs was ordered to pay over $4 million plus attorney fees in one case, over $3 million plus attorney fees in another and over $1 million plus attorney fees for a third.

Watch Live:

Replay: WCPO 9 News at Noon

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Indiana

Signing day: Where Indiana high school football’s top 50 players are committed

Published

8 hours ago

December 4, 2024

Press Room

Signing day: Where Indiana high school football’s top 50 players are committed

Wednesday opens the early signing period for high school football players across the country.

Coaching changes at Purdue and Ball State have created some uncertainty with a number on in-state prospects.

See where Indiana’s top players are committed.

Rankings via On3.com.

1. Mariyon Dye, Edge, Elkhart Central – Tennessee (No. 68 in nation)

2. JonAnthony Hall, WR, Fishers – Stanford (No. 131)

3. Damien Shanklin, Edge, Warren Central – LSU (No. 147)

4. Mark Zackery IV, CB, Ben Davis – Notre Dame (No. 155)

5. Brock Schott, TE Leo, – Miami, Fla. (No. 221)

6. Cameron Herron, OL, Warren Central – Notre Dame (No. 268)

7. Benny Patterson, DL, Castle – Michigan (No. 296)

8. Eugene Hilton, WR, Zionsville – Wisconsin (No. 412)

9. Mason Alexander, CB, Hamilton Southeastern – Pitt (No. 463)

10. Tyrone Burrus, Edge, Warren Central – Indiana (No. 539)

11. Brandon Logan, S, FW Snider – Notre Dame (No. 676)

12. Davion Chandler, WR, Lawrence North – Indiana (No. 732)

13. Nizyi Davis, TE, Lawrence Central – Wisconsin (No. 805)

14. Cameron Gorin, OL, Hamilton Southeastern – Purdue (No. 845)

15. Jaron Thomas, ATH, Concord – Purdue (No. 861)

16. Isaiah White, DL, Ben Davis – Illinois (No. 891)

17. Lebron Hill, WR, Hammond Morton – Vanderbilt (No. 892)

18. Israel Oladipupo, Edge, Noblesville – Boston College (No. 1,107)

19. Jimmy Sullivan, QB, FW Carroll – Iowa (No. 1,149)

20. Landon Brooks, Edge, Delta – Purdue (No. 1,165)

21. James Finley, S, Andrean – Northern Illinois (No. 1,175)

22. Cordarrll McFee, DL, Elkhart Memorial – Cincinnati (No. 1,233)

23. Enoch Atewogbola, Edge, Avon – Minnesota (No. 1,253)

24. Evan Parker, OL, Carmel – Indiana (No. 1,295)

25. John Peters, CB, Merrillville – Western Michigan (No. 1,331)

26. Adrian Holley, Edge, Michigan City – Kansas (No. 1,363)

27. Andrew Barker, TE, Kokomo – Indiana (No. 1,497)

28. Jerome Smith, S, Lawrence North – Miami of Ohio (No. 1,507)

29. Carmine Orozco, DL, Mishawaka – Miami of Ohio (No. 1,544)

30. Uchenyo Ojata, Edge, Carmel – Troy (No. 1,583)

31. Noah Ehrlich, QB, Crown Point – Miami of Ohio (No. 1,587)

32. Aiden Brewer, TE, Noblesville – Bowling Green (No. 1,598)

33. Fawzy Omotoso, Edge, Avon – Northern Illinois (No. 1,643)

34. Gian Carter, Edge, Lawrence North – Western Michigan (No. 1,644)

35. Brady Rhoad, TE, FW Carroll – Western Michigan (No. 1,775)

36. Freddy Brown, LB, Hammond Morton – Western Michigan (No. 1,864)

37. Anthony Ludington, Edge, Lawrence North – Miami of Ohio (No. 1,894)

38. Isaiah Rollins, CB, Warren Central – Miami of Ohio (No. 1,918)

39. Noah Knigga, LB, Lawrenceburg – Eastern Michigan (No. 1,926)

40. Sam Steward, LB, Homestead – Purdue (No. 1,947)

41. Jamarion Kolagbodi, CB, FW Snider – Delaware (No. 1,965)

42. Carsen Melvin, QB, Westfield – Bowling Green (No. 1,969)

43. Gavin Leach, LB, Castle – South Florida (No. 2,061)

44. Kimar Nelson, LB, FW Wayne – Uncommitted (No. 2,081)

45. Trenton Nixton, LB, Merrillville – Northern Illinois (No. 2,150)

46. Max Parciak, OL, NorthWood – Ball State (No. 2,187)

47. Mikeah Webster, LB, Westfield – Ball State (No. 2,190)

48. Garrett Long, TE, Columbus North – Kent State (No. 2,205)

49. Gabe Aramboles, WR, Westfield – Ball State (No. 2,217)

50. Sankeerth Veluri, OT, Carmel – Army (No. 2,220)

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Indiana

At the Buzzer: Indiana 97, Sam Houston State 71

Published

16 hours ago

December 3, 2024

Press Room

At the Buzzer: Indiana 97, Sam Houston State 71

Quick thoughts on a 97-71 win against Sam Houston State:

How it happened

Indiana went small for a long stretch in the first half and the Hoosiers got rolling offensively. From the 13:12 mark in the first half to the six-minute mark, the Hoosiers went on a 25-3 run to grab a 34-12 lead. Luke Goode’s hot perimeter shooting was a big part of the run. Goode went 4-for-5 from deep in the opening 20 minutes and his 13 points were a team-high. Turnovers, however, were still an issue. Indiana committed nine in the first half. The Hoosiers also cooled off from the free throw line and shot just 5-for-10. A strong defensive performance limited Sam Houston State to just 25 points on 25.8 percent shooting and the Hoosiers went to the locker room with a comfortable 42-25 lead.

It was a poor start to the second half for Indiana as the Bearkats got within nine at 48-39 on a 3-point play by Cameron Huefner with 16:25 remaining. Fouls, however, began to pile up for Sam Houston State as Indiana reached the bonus by the under 12-media timeout, leading 59-47. Out of the timeout, Goode made a pair of free throws following a technical on Kian Scroggins and Oumar Ballo made another pair from the line to stretch the cushion to 63-47 with 11:56 left. By the 6:44 mark, the rout was on as IU stretched the lead to 81-58 on a Bryson Tucker transition layup, forcing Sam Houston State to take a timeout. The Hoosiers were never challenged the rest of the way as they recorded their sixth win.

Standout performers

Myles Rice led Indiana with 19 points on 9-for-12 shooting. Rice had 15 in the second half. Goode scored a career-high 17 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Malik Reneau also had 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals in 30 minutes. Anthony Leal also deserves a mention for his spark off the bench. Leal finished with four points, four rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes.

Statistics that stand out

Indiana scored 25 fast-break points and only allowed five offensive rebounds. The Bearkats didn’t score a second chance point. IU’s bench also outscored Sam Houston State’s bench 36-10.