Indiana basketball vs. Marian exhibition: Worth watching on Saturday

Indiana basketball takes on Marian University on Saturday, October 29 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and it will be worth the watch for many reasons.

The Hoosiers tip off the game at 3 pm E.T. in Bloomington and will be playing their first exhibition game since 2019-20. You must tune in and subscribe to BTN+ in order to watch the game. It is worth the $10 for one month of BTN+ since the Hoosiers play on BTN+ for both exhibition games AND their opening night game against Morehead State on November 7.

Trayce Jackson-Davis and the Hoosiers are looking to win their 28th consecutive exhibition game since 2004-05. Don’t sleep on these exhibition games, as Indiana basketball was taken to overtime in an exhibition game against Ferris State on November 8, 2010, where they ultimately pulled out a win, 78-65.

Hoping nothing like that happens, the exhibition game on Saturday will be worth watching for many reasons.

3. Chance to see the Indiana basketball depth & use of the bench in a live game

As we’ve recognized inching closer to the beginning of the 2022-23 season, the Hoosiers are one of the deepest teams in the Big Ten, which is a primary reason they are the favorite to win the Big Ten title this season. There are many “bench” players to keep eye on in this exhibition match as many of the guys like Tamar Bates, Jordan Geronimo, and Malik Reneau could start on other power conference teams this season.

https://twitter.com/IndianaMBB/status/1583618735788941312

Two of the players I’m most excited to see off the bench and get good playing time this game are Trey Galloway and CJ Gunn. Galloway has been a huge part of the Indiana basketball program since 2020-21 and I guess his jump shot looks more fluid. The freshman, Gunn, could be one of the best shooters on this Indiana basketball roster for the upcoming season. Let’s see some fireworks!

2. Maybe we see Trayce Jackson-Davis take (and maybe make) some jump shots

In his only exhibition game freshman year, Jackson-Davis recorded 12 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in 23 minutes of action. He maybe won’t play as many minutes or will look to get other younger players more opportunities, but seeing Jackson-Davis make more than just layups and hook shots should be the primary focus for Hoosier fans.

As seen in the Twitter video below, the Indiana basketball senior leader is supposedly expanding his range as a shooter this season and beyond. It seems as though the only thing holding Jackson-Davis back from getting drafted high enough in the NBA Draft is his ability to shoot the ball from outside the paint. Big men have been extending their range in recent history and it’s imperative that an undersized power forward finds some consistency from his mid-range jump shot.

1. Live look at freshman star, Jalen Hood-Schifino

This has to be the most exciting part for all of Hoosier Nation. Jalen Hood-Schifino, one of the best incoming freshmen in college basketball this season, is finally going to play in a college basketball game and all Indiana basketball fans can tune in to watch him. This guy is the real deal and there is no reason he shouldn’t live up to the hype in his potential one-and-done season in Bloomington.

I’m also curious to see if Hood-Schifino ends up getting the start or if he plays more with the bench unit. Mike Woodson has hinted at different lineups to get a better feel of who plays well together and Hood-Schifino could be that moving piece that plays well with everyone because he makes players around him better.