Indiana Hoosiers News: Mackenzie Holmes Closes in on Scoring Record, Softball Season, Cignetti Vows Culture Shift.

Mackenzie Holmes closing in on Tyra Buss

During Indiana's 94-91 comeback win against the Michigan State Spartans, Mackenzie Holmes inched closer to becoming Indiana Women's Basketball's all-time leading scorer. The Graduate student is 17 points away from breaking the record. It is a bit sweeter that the record could come at home against in-state rival Purdue.

Mackenzie isn't focused on that record, however. Her focus is a bit more personal. "It's a blessing to be in this position; the main focus is beating Purdue,” Holmes said. “I want to beat Purdue; I want to sweep Purdue for my career. I don't want to lose to them at home, especially not at Assembly Hall.”

Speaking of that Michigan State Game...

The Hoosiers kept its perfect (11-0) home record in tact, coming from as many as 10 points down against Michigan State. In addition to Holmes scoring 28 points, Yarden Garzon scored 20, and Chloe Moore-McNeil had a triple double (10 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) in the win for the Hoosiers. Sara Scalia made five three-pointers on her way to a 21-point night. All five ladies scored in double figures for IU.

Indiana Softball Upsets #15 Oregon

The start of Indiana's softball season began with a bang yesterday as the Hoosiers pulled off a huge upset 7-5 against the #15 Oregon Ducks at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida. Right fielder Cora Bassett had three hits and three runs, while third baseman Brianna Copeland drove in four runs in the win.

The Hoosiers split their first two games, dropping their second game against Clemson 3-2. The offense sputtered this evening as Indiana left four runners on base. Millie Thompson allowed just one earned run for the Tigers tonight.

"We Got to Change the Way People Think about Indiana"

Those were new head football coach Curt Cignetti during his National Signing Day press conference. “We’ve been adamant that, look, we’re going to win, and we’re going to win this year, and we’re going to change the brand and the expectation level and the way people see Indiana football.” Coach Cignetti has started with the little things.

To drum up fan interest, the Spring Game will be under the lights on April 18th as the kickoff to Little 500 weekend. The Hoosiers have a condensed, faster paced spring practice schedule than in times past as well. Coach Cignetti and his staff brought in 22 transfers, including All-MAC quarterback Kurtis Rourke and All-Sun Belt wide receiver Elijah Sarratt.

Just as impressive was getting Donaven McCulley and Carter Smith to withdraw their transfers. There's some buzz around the football program with Cignetti at the helm, and he wants to win now. Time will tell if it pays off.