Indiana Gets Rare, Much-Needed Bench Production in Win Over Louisville

For a second consecutive Empire Classic game, Indiana starters fell into foul trouble. But unlike in Sunday’s loss to UConn, Indiana’s bench stepped up and produced in a 74-66 win over Louisville.

NEW YORK – Indiana coach Mike Woodson had no choice but to use his bench early and often.

The second unit entered the game having combined for just 45 points across the first four games, which made relying on it to help beat Louisville on Monday a risky – and unlikely – proposition. But as Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau and Kel’el Ware suffered from foul trouble throughout the game, several bench players stepped up in their biggest ways yet.

Kaleb Banks, Anthony Walker and Payton Sparks were particularly crucial in this win, combining for 24 points and 18 rebounds. Indiana doesn’t beat Louisville 74-66 without them.

They started almost immediately, when Mgbako picked up his second foul less than two minutes into the game. Woodson called for No. 10, Banks, who had scored just seven points on five shots from the field all season. But his role on this team isn’t to be the go-to scorer, and he proved his worth in other facets.

Banks noticed Indiana had been struggling on the glass and defending 3-point shots, and he knew his path to playing time would be succeeding in those areas. He did just that, and it led to a career-high 24 minutes on Monday. He finished with eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks. He added four points, too, but his value on this team comes in the way his 6-foot-8 frame frustrates opponents.

Perhaps Banks’ most impactful play came with 3:44 left and Indiana trailing by three. Louisville guard Skyy Clark tried to sneak a pass behind Indiana’s 2-3 zone, but Banks swatted away the alley-oop. Reneau was fouled on the other end and made the first two free throws in what turned into a 13-0 run spanning 3:28.

“Everybody can’t score the ball,” Woodson said of Banks. “But the fact that he rebounded, he defended, he got a couple steals, had three or four assists – that’s making an impact when you come into the ball game. So I tip my hat off to him because he’s patiently been waiting to play.”

Mgbako ended up playing just nine minutes due to foul trouble and lack of production, but he wasn’t the only starter whose role needed filling. Reneau and Ware dealt with foul trouble throughout the contest, limiting the duo to season-low minute totals: 20 and 26, respectively.

But Walker and Sparks, transfers from Miami and Ball State, played their best games of the season by a wide margin. Walker was aggressive and got into the teeth of the Louisville defense. His soft touch at the rim led to a team-high nine first-half points. He only scored two points in the second half, but his early boost helped Indiana build a first-half lead despite Mgbako and Reneau spending most of the half on the bench.

Ware picked up two fouls in the first 62 seconds of the second half, thrusting Sparks into the game. Though he struggled at the free throw line, going 1-for-4, Sparks’ best stretch came after Ware’s third foul.

Xavier Johnson rewarded the 6-foot-10 big man for running in transition, dishing the ball to Sparks for a fastbreak dunk. Sparks swatted away a layup from Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, then flushed another dunk shortly after.

These two baskets contributed to an 8-0 run that gave the Hoosiers some breathing room at the start of the second half. Sparks finished the game with an efficient nine points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field in 14 minutes.

After the first four games, there was valid concern about how much this trio could help Indiana win this year. But Banks, Walker and Sparks elevated their play when Indiana was on the ropes against Louisville, and Woodson can head home feeling like he has a deeper team.

“As a group collectively we brought a lot of energy today,” Banks said. “I think we really helped the team win.”

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