Mike Woodson says Tamar Bates will start against Iowa

Indiana head coach Mike Woodson goes to shake up his lineup when Huge Ten play resumes.

With place to begin guard Xavier Johnson out for an prolonged time frame, the second yr head coach will flip to Tamar Bates at capturing guard on Thursday evening when the Hoosiers face Iowa.

Woodson stated he’s making the change with a watch in direction of his workforce getting off to higher begins — one thing that was an issue of their three losses.

“We’re going to should shake the lineup up a little bit bit in all probability, and see if that works,” Woodson stated on his radio present on Monday night.  “I’ve to make the changes when it comes to who begins and who comes of the bench.”

“We are going to change the lineup a little bit bit with X being out, we’re going to begin Tamar Bates and convey (Trey) Galloway off the bench to again the second unit up, as a result of I’ve obtained to have one other ball handler.”

That ought to imply the brand new beginning lineup is Jalen Hood-Schifino, Bates, Miller Kopp, Race Thompson and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

A 6-foot-5 sophomore guard, Bates is averaging 11.4 factors over his final eight video games whereas making 17-of-36 (47.2 p.c) from three throughout that span.

Whereas it appears Johnson nonetheless has an extended restoration forward after foot surgical procedure, Woodson stated he’s progressing.

“He (Johnson) stated he’s feeling nice when it comes to, not a lot being all the way in which ache free, however he says his foot feels lots higher,” Woodson stated on Monday night.  “I do know he’s obtained a excessive motor, man, and he desires to get again out on the ground.”

IU has not offered a selected timeline for Johnson’s return to the ground, however he’s not anticipated again anytime quickly.

Indiana faces Iowa on Thursday night at 9 p.m. Jap.

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