BLOOMINGTON – Mike Woodson’s offseason refrain has been consistent for months now.
He likes the look of this Indiana team. He likes its tools and its work ethic. But pulling so many new pieces together will take time, and the Hoosiers have a long way to go.
Attrition and the NBA draft forced Woodson to dramatically reshape that roster this spring and summer. How will it fit together when the season begins in two weeks? Player by player, some thoughts:
Players listed by order of jersey number, separated into scholarship and non-scholarship sections.
SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS
0 — Xavier Johnson, G, R-Sr.+
As proven and important as any player on this roster, Johnson must sew everything together for Woodson this year. One of the Big Ten’s best point guards, Johnson will need to glue his team into something complete this winter, both with his skills and with his leadership as one of the Hoosiers’ two captains.
1 — Kel’el Ware, C, So.
Ware likely replaces Trayce Jackson-Davis as Indiana’s starting five, but he’ll man the position differently. He has good mobility and enviable range for a big man, and should he find his 3-point shot, he’ll be a real pick-and-pop threat. Woodson has been open about the effort questions Ware will have to answer after a quiet freshman season at Oregon.
2 — Gabe Cupps, G, Fr.
Already a serious 3-point threat, Cupps’ biggest charge this winter will be backstopping Johnson at point guard, and building his comfort running IU from that position at a Big Ten level. Cupps looks like he’s next in line to steer the ship. It will be fascinating to see what he adds behind the arc and defensively.
3 — Anthony Leal, G, Sr.
His team badly needs impact 3-point shooters, a role Leal can fill. And with so many new faces in the fold, the Hoosiers need steady leadership. Like Johnson and his old AAU running mate Trey Galloway, there won’t be much the league can offer Leal hasn’t already seen.
4 — Anthony Walker, F, Sr.+
A Miami transfer, Walker instantly becomes Indiana’s most experienced frontline player. He did a lot of winning with the Hurricanes, and like Leal, Galloway, Johnson, etc., whatever his role on the floor, his leadership and locker room effect off it will be crucial to a newly gelling team.
5 — Malik Reneau, F, So.
If Ware replaces Jackson-Davis positionally, Reneau must replace the departed All-American in impact. He’ll do it his own way — Reneau has more of a face-up game and has been working on his 3-point shooting — and he will need to cut down on last year’s foul trouble. But IU needs a lot from Reneau this winter, and he knows it.
Now in the spotlight:Reneau is next posterchild for Woodson’s IU project
10 — Kaleb Banks, F, So.
Banks is one of a couple wildcards on this roster. He flashed his prodigious energy and potential last season, but still looked rough around the edges. If he’s put real polish to those skills this offseason, he should see a lot of the floor. Banks has the potential to be the kind of versatile forward Woodson values.
More Kaleb Banks:He showed freshman flashes. Now, it’s time for ‘that next step.’
11 — CJ Gunn, G, So.
Gunn is another of those potential aces up Woodson’s sleeve. He left Lawrence North a proven 3-point threat but struggled from behind the arc as a freshman. Another year of development will have sturdied Gunn physically and on defense. If he can impact IU’s fortunes from behind the arc, Gunn will have a key role to play this winter.
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12 — Jakai Newton, G, Fr.
Health stands as Newton’s biggest question mark right now. A knee injury suffered during his senior year of high school lingered enough to require a minor procedure in the summer. Still, Newton impressed with strength and athleticism ahead of his years in the offseason. If the knee mends, he may keep progressing through the season.
‘Giving up ain’t an option.’Inside Jakai Newton’s injury comeback as he prepares for IU
21 — Mackenzie Mgbako, F, Fr.
Mgbako came to IU with ambitions to spend just one year in college, ambitions Woodson will share in the role he’s preparing for his five-star freshman. Mgbako should start and see plenty of shots. His impact elsewhere (rebounding, defense, etc.) will be just as important, but the freshman from New Jersey will have every chance to be one of this team’s leading lights.
More:Inside the visit that convinced Mackenzie Mgbako to become a Hoosier
24 — Payton Sparks, F, Jr.
The Ball State transfer was a remarkably consistent scorer/rebounder across two seasons in the MAC. He joins a deeper forward line in Bloomington, and one that will probably be asked for more versatility. But if Sparks can bring the ruggedness and rebounding he showed at Ball State from day one, he’ll see plenty of the floor.
‘I just haven’t stopped smiling.’Payton Sparks grew up an IU fan. Now he’s a Hoosier.
32 — Trey Galloway, G, Sr.
The other of Indiana’s two captains, Galloway took a prodigious leap in 3-point shooting accuracy last season. To his credit, he did so while assuming substantially more minutes, particularly in the aftermath of Johnson’s foot injury. If Galloway can add some volume behind the arc, he becomes part of the solution to that problem while still acting as one of IU’s best perimeter defenders.
More:Trey Galloway’s improvement last year was vital. IU needs even more from him this year.
NON-SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS
13 — Shaan Burke, G, Jr.
Burke assumes a key role this winter for Indiana. With Nathan Childress and Michael Shipp graduated, Burke becomes not just the Hoosiers’ most-experienced walk-on, but also its only returner in that capacity. He understands what Woodson expects from non-scholarship players, and he should be de facto leader of that group. It’s no small thing — walk-ons fill many crucial gaps.
15 — James Goodis, G, Fr.
Goodis comes to IU from Montverde Academy in Florida. Naturally, he’ll probably have a preexisting relationship with Reneau, but more importantly Goodis will be comfortable with basketball at this level. It’s never quite the same, but highly-skilled teammates, a national schedule and big expectations are all things he’ll have seen at Montverde.
22 — Jackson Creel, G, Jr.
An intriguing transfer in from Rend Lake College, Creel was a two-time all-conference player who averaged more than 12 points per game at the two-year level. He was also an impact rebounder and creator, and he played major minutes. He ought to bolster Indiana’s competitive level whenever and wherever called upon.
30 — Ian Stephens, G, Fr.
Stephens led New Palestine to a sectional title in high school, shooting close to 60% from the field in his senior season. He averaged 15 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and at 6-6, he has length and size no other walk-on offers. As he gets comfortable at the college level, his importance will grow.
53 — Jordan Rayford, G, R-Fr.
Another accomplished high school player, Rayford earned all-conference honors in the competitive NEPSAC out east. He spent last season on roster at Air Force but did not see the court because of a shoulder injury. Healthy now, he strengthens a deep group of walk-ons.
Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.