That’s A Wrap: Myles Rice

Welcome to “That’s A Wrap,” our player-by-player recap of the 2024-25 Indiana Hoosiers. Our next recap takes a look at Myles Rice.

Rice (32 games): 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 41.2 FG% in 27.5 minutes per game.

Previously: Bryson Tucker, Kanaan Carlyle, Mackenzie Mgbako

Indiana entered the season expecting Myles Rice to be the floor general the program had lacked in recent years.

The lightning-quick guard transferred in from Washington State after being named the Pac-12 freshman of the year last season. The All-Pac-12 first-team selection was named to the 2025 Bob Cousy point guard of the year award watchlist in the preseason.

Before the season officially began, Rice made a statement against one of the nation’s top point guards, Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler. Rice starred in a charity exhibition against the Vols, scoring 20 points with four assists and no turnovers in Knoxville.

He played well in three of Indiana’s first four games to start the season – highlighted by 23 points against South Carolina on Nov. 16 – before vanishing at the Battle 4 Atlantis. He averaged 3.7 points on 16 percent shooting in 24 minutes per game as the Hoosiers went 1-2 on Paradise Island.

Returning to Assembly Hall, Rice found his groove transitioning to conference play. He scored 17 or more points five times in a seven-game stretch and his playmaking and pace helped IU go 6-1.

As Big Ten play wore on, Rice ebbed and flowed. He put together his best all-around performance of the season on January 8 with 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists against USC. He followed it up with middling performances in consecutive blowouts to Iowa and Illinois.

Rice struggled at Ohio State, falling into early foul trouble and unable to find his rhythm. He tallied only four points and two assists in 15 minutes – his first time playing less than 20 minutes during the season.

A few games later, Rice endured his worst outing of the season at Mackey Arena on January 31. He went scoreless with one assist to two turnovers in 20 minutes. The Boilermakers aimed to take Rice out of IU’s equation and did just that. His lack of confidence was apparent.

His cold stretch continued against Michigan as he recorded two points, a rebound, assist and a turnover. Despite just two fouls, Rice only played 12 minutes in the game and he proceeded to come off the bench in seven of IU’s eight remaining games.

He bounced back with double-digit scoring in three of his next four games, but Rice’s role had long changed. Trey Galloway assumed most of the facilitating duties and Rice played much more off the ball than initially anticipated.

Rice’s last three games of the season were all duds. Despite a decent 11 total assists, Rice combined for seven points on 2-for-17 shooting in 73 total minutes – including a scoreless 0-for-5 finale against Oregon in the Big Ten tournament.

Compared to preseason expectations, Rice’s season was a disappointment. He displayed flashes of his potential, but failed to maintain a high level of play as Indiana’s lead guard and Galloway took over as the season progressed.

In six less minutes per game, Rice’s averages from his freshman season dipped by nearly five points, one assist and his field goal percentage dropped two ticks.

With two seasons of eligibility remaining and a coaching change in Bloomington, Rice will have a decision to make this spring in terms of his future.

Bottom line: Rice was expected to be a gamechanger and give IU stability at the point guard position, but he was inconsistent in his second season of college basketball. Rather than serving as IU’s primary ball handler and point guard, Rice shifted into a secondary option behind Galloway.

Quotable: “Myles is just a great leader, great person. Obviously, he’s a great basketball player. But I mean, he’s done a great job of just bringing energy and life to our team, and then just playing great basketball. He plays the right way.” – Gabe Cupps on Rice’s early season impact November 1 after Indiana’s exhibition win over Marian.

Category: Commentary

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