Indiana

Why Indiana basketball point guard Gabe Cupps was thrown to the wolves this season

Published

4 months ago

February 21, 2024

Why Indiana basketball point guard Gabe Cupps was thrown to the wolves this season

BLOOMINGTON — The only rest Indiana basketball true freshman Gabe Cupps got in the second half of a 76-72 loss to Northwestern Sunday came after he fouled out with 25 seconds to go.

He spent nearly the entire half before that glued to Wildcats leading scorer Boo Buie.

Buie had one of his least productive games of the season with 14 points on 3 of 14 shooting. The guard missed his first 10 shots and didn’t have a made field goal until there was less than nine minutes to go in the game.

“He’s been one of the hottest point guards in the league and to hold the young man to 3 for 14 shooting and some of the different times down the floor where he was able to keep him in front, which has been a task for a lot of teams, I was really impressed with that,” Indiana coach Mike Woodson said, on Tuesday.

Indiana basketball point guard Gabe Cupps holding his own against Big Ten’s best

More: Why Indiana basketball’s free throw woes are a ’between the ears’ problem

Buie hit a pair of 3-pointers late in the game, but neither were high percentage shots.

He launched a step-back 3-pointer over Anthony Walker with 8:35 to go and hit a similar off-balanced shot a few minutes later when he had the briefest of open looks coming off a screen.

Cupps didn’t let Buie get a clean look near the basket, but that’s the kind of defensive effort Woodson has come to expect from the first-year guard.

“He’s been solid from day one in trying to deal, especially in the Big Ten with every team’s point guard is pretty damn good,” Woodson said.

Indiana basketball wanted Gabe Cupps to have more time to develop

It’s just not the role Woodson expected Cupps to have so early in his career.

The guard was a four-star signee in IU’s 2023 class out of Centerville High School in Ohio. He was the No. 94 ranked player in the class and No. 3 player in his state with eight scholarship offers including ones from Stanford, Michigan and Ohio State.

With Xavier Johnson dealing with multiple injuries this season, Cupps has started 14 of IU’s 25 games while averaging 22.1 minutes. He’s played 30 minutes or more seven times including a season-high 37 minutes in a loss to Kansas.

“He’s been thrown to the wolves basically as a freshman,” Woodson said.

More: ‘I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.’ Indiana basketball’s Mike Woodson addresses future

It’s why Cupps has mostly received a pass from Woodson on his lack of offensive production. Cupps is only shooting 39.4% this season, but he’s only attempted 66 shots (2.6 per game) this season.

On Tuesday, Woodson traced Cupps’ prominent role to last year’s Big Ten freshman of the year Jalen Hood-Schifino opting to leave the school early. Hood-Schifino’s departure left IU “desperately” seeking another point guard on the recruiting trail, but those efforts proved unsuccessful.

“We explored, we talked to different guys, and guys went other places based on what they thought was a better fit,” Woodson said. “We basically came into this season hoping like hell that X didn’t get hurt and Gabe would get an opportunity to learn slowly, but that hadn’t been the case.”

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

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Indiana

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell reaches major WNBA milestone

Published

3 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Press Room

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell reaches major WNBA milestone

LAS VEGAS (WISH) — The Indiana Fever is getting ready to play inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse for first time since June 19.

The Fever (8-13) hosts the New York Liberty (17-3) on Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT.

Indiana is coming off a 19-point loss in Las Vegas Tuesday night against the Aces (11-6).

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell scored a team-high 23 points in the loss. She was 9-of-20 from the field, which includes 5-of-10 from three-point range.

Her performance from behind-the-arc helped her become the 19th player in WNBA history to have 500 career made three-point field goals.

Mitchell has scored in double-digits in each of her last eight games. She leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.6 points per game.

Prior to the Tuesday’s game, Mitchell was announced as a WNBA All-Star, along with Fever teammates Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.

“It’s a really, really big thing for our franchise, but I think, more importantly, kind of just shows where we are as players and where we aspire to be individually,” Mitchell said after Tuesday’s game. “I think any great player and great competitor has an “all-star” somewhere down their list.”

It’s the second season in Fever history that the team is sending three players to a WNBA All-Star Game. The only other time that’s happened was in 2007, when Tamika Catchings, Anna DeForge and Tammy Sutton-Brown went to the All-Star Game.

“To have three All-Stars for the Indiana Fever this year, I’m so proud for them,” Fever head coach Christie Sides said. “So proud for our organization. These guys deserve it. They’ve been working hard, keep getting better. Just shows the future and what that looks like for the Indiana Fever.”

The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game is set for July 20 in Phoenix, Ariz. The game will be played inside Footprint Center.

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Caitlin Clark named WNBA All-Star, LeBron James and Kevin Durant offer praise for Indiana Fever star

Published

10 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

Caitlin Clark named WNBA All-Star, LeBron James and Kevin Durant offer praise for Indiana Fever star

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever star rookie Caitlin Clark is officially a WNBA All-Star. Clark, 22, was named an All-Star on Tuesday night. She is one of the 12 players that will make up Team WNBA in Phoenix later this month.

She is averaging 16.1 points and 7.0 assists per game. After a slow start, the Fever are 8-13 and sit in ninth place in the standings. Clark’s growth has been an important part of Indiana’s turnaround, including their four-game winning streak in the middle of June.

Clark’s skill and popularity continue to draw big crowds. Over 20,000 fans attended the Fever’s game against the Las Vegas Aces Tuesday night, and every Indiana home game has drawn at least 15,000 fans this season according to Across The Timeline. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has been among those crowds more than once.

The number of people who show up to watch Clark alone puts pressure on her to play well, as does her own perfectionist personality. She wants to be the best, and some fans expected the Fever to be great this season.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James commented on Clark’s reality and how she can best manage it this season on the Mind The Game podcast. “My advice to Caitlin… Be a horse, Kentucky Derby. Put your blinders on. Go to work. Show up to work,” James began. “Punch your clock in. Prepare yourself. Work on your game, work on your craft. Keep your mouth shut and learn from the vets.”

James went on to celebrate that the WNBA is now using charter flights to get teams around and said that Clark will do a lot for the league. He is rooting for the Indiana rookie guard.

“I hope she (Caitlin) kills. I hope Aliyah Boston does amazing,” James said. Boston was the Fever’s first overall pick in 2023. “She’s a great talent. She seems like a great gal,” James added of Clark.

Clark, who is still just a rookie, is 17th in the WNBA in points per game. The All-Star guard ranks third in assists per night. She has been terrific and led the league in fan voting for the All-Star teams — Boston finished second.

James isn’t the only NBA star who has recently shared his opinions on Clark’s performance and stature. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant commented on the Iowa product and her popularity in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

“Caitlin’s just got to continue to show up every day. The WNBA is doing a great job of showcasing her. I see her games on ESPN every other day,” Durant said after noting that Clark will be on Team USA for the Olympics at some point in her career despite being left off of the 2024 squad.

“If she continues to keep getting better as a player, her production on the court gets better, then the league will grow,” Durant added.

Indiana started the season 1-8 and had a brutally challenging schedule. Since then, Clark, Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell have guided the team to a 7-5 mark. All three of those players will be All-Stars this season.

“I think it’s great when NBA players come [to games]. I think it’s great that they’re showing their support because I think Women’s Basketball is on the rise,” Boston said last week. “They want to see great basketball, and I think coming and watching us is a great example of that. It’s great.”

Clark, Boston, and the Fever next play on June 6 when they host the New York Liberty.

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LIST: Fireworks displays in northeast Indiana

Published

17 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

LIST: Fireworks displays in northeast Indiana

(WPTA) – Get ready for dazzling Fourth of July displays!

Communities all across northeast Indiana have planned fireworks shows to celebrate Independence Day.

Firework Safety tips to help keep you safe on July 4 | How to keep your pets safe on July 4th

Here’s a look at the times, dates, and locations where you can catch a show in 21Country:

Albion fireworks display
- Held at the Central Noble Schools Albion campus at dusk on Wednesday, July 3.
Angola’s July 4th Celebration
- A parade will be held in downtown Angola starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, followed by a hotdog giveaway, a skydiving display, and a petting zoo.
- Fireworks will then be lit at dusk at Commons Park.
Berne – Red, White, & Blue Festival
Bluffton fireworks display
- Fireworks will be lit from the WEG parking lot, just north of the Boys & Girls Club, at 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4.
Columbia City fireworks display
- Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Wednesday, July 3, at Morsches Park. Food vendors will be at the park starting at 5 p.m., and bounce houses will open at 6 p.m.
Decatur fireworks display
- Fireworks will be lit at dusk at Riverside Park on Thursday, July 4. Before the big show, attendees can stop by for food from 5-9 p.m. and live music starting at 7 p.m. At 9 p.m., the American Legion Color Guard will honor fallen veterans with a ceremony.
Fort Wayne fireworks display
- Fireworks are set to begin around 10 p.m., lit from the top of the Indiana Michigan Power building downtown on Thursday, July 4.
Garrett Heritage Days
- The fireworks display begins at 10 p.m. at Eastside Park on Thursday, July 4. A vendor fair, chalk walk, petting zoo, talent show, and many more events are planned throughout the day.
Huntington fireworks display
- Fireworks will be set off at dusk on Thursday, July 4, at the Huntington University cross-country trail
Kendallville fireworks display
- Fireworks will be lit from Bixler Lake on Thursday, July 4, at dusk
Marion fireworks display
- Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Saturday, July 6, at Silvershell Beach
Markle fireworks display
- Activities, live music, and food trucks start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, at the Markle Fish & Game Club Park.
- Fireworks will be lit at dusk.
Nappanee Independence Day celebration
- A parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at Nappanee Elementary School on Thursday, July 4. Fireworks will be launched from the Sledding Hill after sunset at Thompson Drive.
New Haven fireworks display
- Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Wednesday, July 3, at Lifeway Church, 7722 Moeller Rd. Free hotdogs, popcorn, and games will be offered starting at 7 p.m.
Ossian fireworks display
- Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Friday, July 5, at Archbold Wilson Park. Starting at 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy music, food trucks, beverages, and family-friendly activities before the show.
Roanoke Fourth of July Fireworks and Family Fun Day
- Kids activities and music start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, at Roanoke Park. Fireworks will then be set off at dusk.
Rome City (Sylvan Lake) fireworks
- Fireworks will be lit on Saturday, July 6, at dusk from Sylvan Lake.
Spencerville – Autism Awareness Firework Show
- The event, planned for Saturday, July 6, at 7043 State Road 1, features a toned-down fireworks display for a more sensory-friendly experience. Fireworks will be lit at dusk.
Warren fireworks display
- Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Sunday, July 7, at Warren Tower Park.
Wawasee fireworks display
- The fireworks display will begin at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, at Lake Wawasee.
Wolcottville – Big Long Lake
- Fireworks will be lit at dusk on Saturday, July 6, from Big Long Lake.