Indiana Basketball lost by 20 points tonight. Don't worry; the season is going like everyone predicted.
By Dante Pryor
What the Fans are Saying
In situations like these, frustration is better than apathy. It's time to worry when fans stop showing up for games and stop buying season tickets. However, that doesn't stop fans from living up to their names (fan is short for fanatic) on social media.
Mike Woodson you are getting a contract buyout! #IUBB
— Barstool IU (@IUBarstool) February 11, 2024
Mike Woodson is not it.
— Jen Gawne (@HoosierJen96) February 11, 2024
There are NO excuses for this type of performance. pic.twitter.com/GTy6p5gN6o
Another night of the #iubb looking like a complete train wreck. That’s never going to change as long as Woody and his guys are pulling the strings.
— Drew Davis (@1997Davis) February 11, 2024
Mike Woodson: soft-spoken, lackadaisical, anti-energy, no sense of urgency.
— Hoosier Fan (@hoosierfannn) February 11, 2024
This Indiana Basketball team: soft-spoken, lackadaisical, anti-energy, no sense of urgency.
It isn’t a coincidence. #IUBB
While fans are not enjoying the Mike Woodson experience this season, firing Mike Woodson might not be the answer to the basketball program's woes. Indiana has hired six head coaches in the 25 years since Bobby Knight was fired by the Hoosiers. It's hard to build a culture when you are firing and hiring new coaching staffs every five years.
Woodson might not be the answer. However, he did lose arguably the best player in program history, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and one of the more exciting freshmen, Jalen Hood-Schifino, to the NBA. Woodson had to effectively replace the entire starting five from last season, which is not easy.
Mackenzie Mgbako has not been the impact freshman many people thought he could be. CJ Gunn hasn't made the leap as a sophomore. The only player that has made significant improvement from last year is Malik Reneau. Yes, that's coaching, but some players develop faster than others.