playing style like old school loyola marymount

High-flying IU Indy looks like a brand-new program under head coach Ben Howlett—and the pace is unmistakable. Howlett arrives from West Liberty with an aggressive, pressure-first philosophy that cranks up possessions and invites chaos. His Hilltoppers averaged 100+ points per game last season, and he’s brought that same throttle to the Jaguars. They push off makes and misses, trap early, and hunt turnovers; the reward is waves of run-outs and open threes. The risk? Givebacks at the rim and a defense that can be stretched thin in transition.

The early return speaks volumes: IU Indy dropped its opener to Ohio State, 118–102, a scoreline that perfectly captures the team’s identity. Expect more box scores that look like old Loyola Marymount track meets from the early ’90s—relentless pace, short possessions, and long substitution patterns to keep fresh legs attacking.

Handicapping this version of IU Indy requires a different lens. Traditional totals models lag when a team fundamentally changes its tempo and pressure profile, which is why today’s total vs. Long Island has been hammered up to 185. Until the broader market fully prices in Howlett’s system, numbers will likely keep climbing on game day. That doesn’t mean blind “over” bets, but it does mean preparing for volatility: big scoring runs, whistle-heavy stretches, and endgames that explode with fouls and free throws.

Bottom line: the Jaguars are appointment viewing and a pace outlier. As the public catches up, totals will adjust—but for now, IU Indy’s new style is dictating the number and the narrative.