We’ve moved from our examination of other Big Ten programmes to our player-by-player analyses of the Indiana squad for 2023–24 as college basketball season approaches.
We continue our player profiles today with Trey Galloway, a senior.
Former players: Anthony Leal, Jakai Newton, Mackenzie Mgbako, Gabe Cupps, Kel’el Ware, Malik Reneau, Kaleb Banks, CJ Gunn, and Payton Sparks
The “Crazy Man” of Indiana basketball is back, and this time there are even more eyes on him. On the 2023–24 team, Trey Galloway will be among the most seasoned Hoosiers, and he will need to perform accordingly.
The senior guard just had his greatest season to date, averaging 6.7 points, three rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 32 appearances, 25 of which were starts. In addition, Galloway’s 3-point shooting numbers increased dramatically between his junior and sophomore years. Shot at a 46.2 percent clip, his 30 3-pointers were a significant improvement than his 6-for-28 performance in the 2021-22 season.
Galloway stepped up in a significant way as Indiana’s secondary ball-handler after Xavier Johnson was sidelined with an injury for most of the 2022-23 season. He took on the role of point guard at times, and while it wasn’t an area in which he excelled, he performed well enough to earn the confidence and respect of Mike Woodson and his team.
There’s no question that Galloway has consistently improved in just about every area throughout his time at Indiana. But he’s going to have to make the biggest jump of his career heading into his senior season to lead the Hoosiers to success. Named a co-captain alongside Johnson, Galloway has a significant amount of responsibility and pressure on his shoulders.
He has already assumed the role of mentor to his younger colleagues, spending the offseason working with Gabe Cupps and CJ Gunn in particular to help the guards develop and get used to the programme. This season, both on and off the court, Galloway’s leadership is anticipated to be a vital component of his game.
“As a senior, I’ve worked with this coaching staff the longest,” Galloway stated in July at a media availability. “I am aware of the requirements…Now that I’m a veteran, I need to be familiar with every position and know when to be on offence and defence.
With the overwhelming majority of Indiana’s offensive production now gone, Galloway will need to become a greater offensive presence. That also means the team as a whole will have new strategies to get the ball to the guard more consistently — they don’t have the luxury of sending it to Trayce Jackson-Davis or Jalen Hood-Schifino anymore. The good thing about Galloway is that he has the potential for a lot of flexibility on the court.
The uptick in his 3-point shooting shows a willingness and determination to expand his game. Galloway needs to continue to making perimeter shots as the Hoosiers lost several of their best perimeter shoots in the offseason.
“I’ve focused on doing a lot of things to make gamelike shots,” Galloway said at IU’s media day. “I think that’s been a big thing for me, just getting those reps that are gamelike and being ready to shoot it when it comes, because I feel like there were a lot of shots that I did pass up that I could have shot last year.”
If Galloway’s confidence and shot-making ability have improved as expected, the Hoosiers will be able to fill a wide-open hole on the perimeter, and who better to take that spot than a veteran who has proven he can perform in big moments? Galloway has also shown he can drive to the basket for buckets and slam dunks, and could very well pose an all-around threat this season.
And, of course, you can’t forget about the style of play that earned him the moniker “Crazy Man.”
Galloway’s tenacity on defense proved to be a crucial part of many of Indiana’s victories throughout the 2022-23 season. He isn’t afraid to press opponents, race all around the court or battle at the basket.
That doggedness has sometimes put him in foul trouble, however, and Galloway can’t afford to have that happen this season. He’ll have to balance playing aggressively while staying smart and not committing silly fouls because Woodson will need him on the floor as much as possible.
Bottom Line: Galloway always plays with maximum effort and determination, and his dedication to the game is evident. He works hard and is always trying to improve, and he has the chance to show off just how much he’s done this offseason. There’s little doubt Galloway’s role will look at least slightly different this year as a leader and someone Woodson will rely on to play hard in all areas of the game. But Galloway has proven his ability to fill whatever role he needs to and has the tenacity and work ethic to be a major player for the Hoosiers this season.
Quotable: “One thing I really try to focus on is my defense, and to win games you’ve got to be able to play defense. So I think just keeping that a big focus in my game is huge, but also just showing what I can do on the offensive end as well, keep expanding. I know there’s a lot of things I can do, and I want to show that this year. I think Coach has put that trust in me to really go out there and play my game. So I think being able to prove that this year is going to be big.” – Galloway at Big Ten media day.
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