Mike Woodson, Trey Galloway Are Fans Of Indiana’s Football Success

Mike Woodson and Trey Galloway heaped praise on the job Curt Cignetti has done to get the Indiana football team to 5-0.

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson walks on the court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

(Updated Thursday, Oct, 3 at 2:15 p.m.)

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Indiana men’s basketball season is underway as practices have officially begun. The exhibition games will begin in late October before the regular season begins in November.

There’s plenty for Indiana men’s basketball coach Mike Woodson to do between now and then, but it doesn’t mean he can’t keep an eye on another team that has captured the imagination of Hoosiers fans.

Indiana’s football team has begun its season with a 5-0 start, the best start for the gridiron Hoosiers since their famed 1967 season.

Woodson has been paying attention and just like most other Indiana alumni, he’s loving the success Curt Cignetti’s team has had.

“I'm loving it. I think Coach (Curt) Cignetti has done a hell of a job. He's put a great group of guys together,” Woodson said during his participation in a panel discussion at Big Ten Media Days on Thursday.

Woodson is excited about the potential of the offense, and like most Indiana fans, is thrilled that the Hoosiers are in the top 25.

“He's got running backs. He's got receivers. He has a hell of a quarterback. I couldn't be more happier for him because it's been a while to see our programs even in the top 25. So you have to give him a lot of credit for that,” Woodson said.

Indiana guard Trey Galloway has also been keeping up with football's good fortunes.

"We're really excited. Seeing them be good, it's good for us too, because it puts high expectations on us now too as well. It's always good to have your football team be good because it's fun to watch," Galloway said.

Galloway took note of the culture change fostered by Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti.

"Coach Cignetti has done a great job. You can tell they have a different feel to them than they have in the past. It's been cool to see that and the excitement around them," Galloway said.

Indiana’s basketball team is hoping to have the same sort of success that football has enjoyed so far. The Hoosiers were picked second in the unofficial media poll.

With Oumar Ballo, Kanaan Carlyle, Luke Goode and Myles Rice added to a veteran group consisting of Trey Galloway, Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau.

Indiana missed the tournament in 2024, but is hoping to return to the field. If Indiana did, it would mean the Hoosiers reached the tournament in three of Woodson’s four seasons.

Galloway wants the wave of enthusiasm that football has generated to continue into basketball season.

"I wouldn't say it's pressure. It's more exciting for us. You get excited for one sport, you get excited for the next sport. They're having a great year and they're going to end their year in a good fashion and we're going to come in and have a good year," Galloway said.

Indiana basketball and football success has sometimes converged. In 1987, when Indiana basketball won its last national championship, the Indiana football team contended for the Big Ten championship in the following fall under the tutelage of Bill Mallory.

In the 1979-80 academic year, Indiana’s football team won the Holiday Bowl and men’s basketball won the Big Ten regular season championship. Woodson played on that 1980 Indiana basketball team.

Another football-basketball connection is Cam Cameron. He played football at Indiana from 1981-83 and lettered in basketball in 1982 and 1983. Cameron also coached Indiana football from 1997-02. He’s one of many players who played both sports over the years.

Indiana football plays at Northwestern on Saturday. Woodson is looking forward to it.

“I'm waiting for Northwestern this week. We have them here at Northwestern. It should be a good ball game,” Woodson said.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• INDIANA TABBED SECOND: In the unofficial media poll, Indiana's men's basketball team was picked to finish second in the Big Ten. CLICK HERE.

• WHAT WOODSON SAID: Everything Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson had to say during his Big Ten Media Day session on Thursday. CLICK HERE.

• IS INDIANA BETTER THAN USC? A look at how the Hoosiers measure up to new Big Ten member USC. CLICK HERE.

• IS INDIANA BETTER THAN MARYLAND? How do the Hoosiers match up with the Terrapins? CLICK HERE.

• IS INDIANA BETTER THAN RUTGERS? See how the Hoosiers size up against the Scarlet Knights. CLICK HERE.

• IS INDIANA BETTER THAN OREGON? In the first part of the Is Indiana Better Than series, we compare the Hoosiers to new Big Ten member Oregon. CLICK HERE.

• BALLO NAMED ALL-BIG TEN: Oumar Ballo was named First Team All-Big Ten in the official team announced on Tuesday. CLICK HERE.

• RICE OVERCOMES CANCER TO CONTINUE HOOPS DREAM: Myles Rice has had a lot to fight through to get his chance to play basketball at Indiana. CLICK HERE.

• MGBAKO IS READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP: Mackenzie Mgbako is committed to improvement in his sophomore season. CLICK HERE.