Indiana sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako started out the 2024-2025 season hot, scoring in double digits in the first three games, even scoring 31 points in the season opener. Mgbako had a mean jump shot as well as a great ability to drive to the back and finish at the rim.
There have been a few games where Mgbako has struggled, but none more than the last four games for the Hoosiers. When Indiana's leading scorer, Malik Reneau, went down roughly three weeks ago with a knee injury, there were three Hoosiers who needed to step up in order to help Indiana stay in contention for the NCAA Tournament: Oumar Ballo, Myles Rice, and Mackenzie Mgbako.
Against Rutgers, the game that Reneau was injured in, Mgbako finished the night with 16 points and then dropped 20 points and was an integral part of Indiana'a win over Penn State in their next game. However, after that, Mgbako hit a slump, one he had never experienced before in his college career.
Before the last four games, before the slump, Mgbako averaged 14.1 points per game, but since his slump starter, he has averaged just 4 points per game. In Indiana's win against USC, Mgbako finished with zero points and played just 15 minutes. Against Iowa and Illinois, two games in which the Hoosiers really could have used his scoring abilities, he finished with six and four points.
Now, with Reneau potentially making his return to the court soon, maybe even tonight against Northwestern, this could potentially take some of the scoring weight off of Mgbako's shoulders, making it easier for him to shoot freely. However, if he can't find a way out of his slump, he may see his time on the court lessen.
Indiana already struggled in the scoring realm of the game, and Mgbako's defense is sub-par at best, so without his ability to score, head coach Mike Woodson might be more willing to go with someone like Luke Goode, who has really stepped up in Reneau's absence.