Auburn Game in Atlanta a Homecoming For Indiana's Woodson, Banks, Newton

Indiana's game against Auburn on Saturday in Atlanta, Ga. represents a homecoming of sorts for Mike Woodson, who coached the Atlanta Hawks from 2004-10, as well as Georgia natives Kaleb Banks and Jakai Newton.

ATLANTA, Ga. – Indiana coach Mike Woodson built a nonconference schedule that not only challenges his team, but also shows them his former stomping grounds and puts the Hoosiers on a national stage.

First, they played two games on ESPN inside Madison Square Garden in New York, one of the world's most iconic sporting venues where Woodson coached the Knicks. Closer to home in November, the Hoosiers played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the Indiana Pacers.

And on Saturday, Woodson and the Hoosiers will play in their third NBA arena in nine games. Tipoff between Indiana and Auburn is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET inside State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., the home of the Atlanta Hawks. It's a familiar venue for Woodson, who had his first NBA head coaching gig with the Hawks from 2004-10, and he's looking forward to the return.

"It means a lot," Woodson said Thursday. "That's where my head coaching career began, and I still have a home there, a lot of friends, people that supported me when I first started my journey as a head coach in Atlanta. 

"It was important that I take a game back there because I think for a lot of the people that supported me that were in my corner, they are still there, and that means a lot to me. I figure bringing a game back would be something special for the people that have supported me all these years."

Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson talks with guard Mike Bibby (10) during a break in the action during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center. The Hawks defeated the 76ers 100-86 / Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana's first two stops at NBA arenas were close to home for Mackenzie Mgbako, a New Jersey native, as well as in-state Hoosiers CJ Gunn, Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal and Payton Sparks. 

Saturday's game in Atlanta is extra special for current Hoosiers Kaleb Banks and Jakai Newton, who grew up outside the city in Hampton and Covington, respectively. 

"The game back home is just really cool for me," Banks said Thursday. "I wasn't expecting this. Once I first found out we were going to play back in Atlanta, I was really excited. I never thought that would be a chance or an opportunity at IU to play on the south side of things, but I'm really happy about that."

Under Woodson, Indiana has made significant recruiting efforts in the south. His first class included Tamar Bates, who attended IMG Academy in Florida, and the next class included Banks, from Georgia, as well Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau from Montverde Academy in Florida. 

Newton came from Georgia to join the Hoosiers before this season, and Banks believes the Indiana brand is becoming more recognizable outside of the midwest. Indiana has already landed five-star recruit Liam McNeeley, who attends Montverde Academy in Florida, and Woodson has offered scholarships to eight players in the class of 2025 from either Georgia or Florida.

"Indiana has become way bigger on the south side," Banks said. "Just people knowing me and [Newton] just took a chance on Indiana and came here and play. That just brings a lot of noise and attention to Indiana for other basketball players on the south side to see that Indiana is a real good team, and that if me and [Newton go here, they'll look into it as well."

Indiana commit Kaleb Banks went for 31 points and 15 rebounds in Fayette County’s big win today. 6’8 wing with limitless potential. @Kalebb_3 @FayetteBball @ClassicToc pic.twitter.com/1wi2Zi54Dh

— GREENLIGHT MEDIA (@atlgreenlight) December 28, 2021

Heading into Saturday's game, Woodson reflected on the journey he and his players went through across those six seasons in Atlanta. After missing the playoffs in his first three seasons, Woodson led the Hawks to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2008-10.

He coached NBA All-Stars Al Horford and Joe Johnson, and the Hawks' win total grew every season under Woodson's direction.

"When I started that journey, I started out with 18, 19, 20-year-old young men that didn't have a clue in what the NBA was about, and I didn't have a clue as a coach because it was a struggle because we were so young," Woodson said.

"But the beauty about that young team, from my peers, everybody kept saying, 'Boy, you guys play hard. Boy, you're competitive.' But we just weren't experienced enough to win games. We grew together as a group, and we eventually broke the ice and got in the playoffs, and that's when it all took off."

"We took Boston [in 2007-08] in the first round to seven games, and they ended up winning the NBA title, which that was the biggest thing for those young kids to experience because they hadn't been in the playoffs. Once they got there, the media and everybody had us being swept and wouldn't win a game. Hell, we forced a Game 7, which could have went either way. They ended up winning and then going on to win an NBA title."

"Those were fond memories, to be able to take a team of young men and build it and have some success behind it."

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• AUBURN BREAKDOWN: Following a 2-0 start to Big Ten play, Indiana plays the Auburn Tigers Saturday in Atlanta. Coached by Bruce Pearl, Auburn plays pressure defense, and its offense is led by forward Johni Broome and freshman guard Aden Holloway. CLICK HERE
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