All Kanaan Carlyle could do was scratch his head and laugh.
The halfcourt lob attempt to sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako was already ambitious. In the second half against South Carolina Saturday afternoon inside Assembly Hall, Carlyle’s pass sailed over the outstretched arms of Mgbako, but instead of becoming a careless turnover, fell directly into the hoop.
It was a microcosm of Indiana’s backcourt play, which has continued to find ways to shine despite experiencing some occasional growing pains. Led by redshirt sophomore Washington State transfer Myles Rice, who led all scorers with 23 points in the Hoosiers’ 87-71 win, and Carlyle, Indiana’s guards flashed quickness in transition and outside shooting capabilities — precisely the traits head coach Mike Woodson sought in the offseason.