Only nine days remain until Indiana's opening game against Tennessee in Knoxville, but we'll get our first look at the 2024-25 Hoosiers tonight at Assembly Hall.

Hoosier Hysteria unofficially tips off the IU basketball season tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET. If you can't make it to Bloomington, the event will be broadcast live on B1G+.

Here's what you should look out for at Hoosier Hysteria:

The competitiveness of the scrimmage

The scrimmage is expected to be the focus of this year's Hoosier Hysteria. That hasn't been the case for many years.

Last October, Gucci Mane attended a concert in Indiana. And in 2022, G-Herbo headlined the event. This year the focus is on the scrimmage.

But will it be a competition? In recent years, Hysteria scrimmages have become more like NBA All-Star games. There was a lot of scoring, little defense and no way to take anything away from the basketball. While fans welcome any insight into the program this time of year, a scrimmage with some competitiveness would be a welcome change.

Based on Indiana's early August release, basketball competition is expected to take place on Branch McCracken Court.

“We are excited to introduce this new format to Hoosier hysteriasaid Mike Woodson in the August press release announcing the event. “Putting our team in front of Hoosier Nation has always been a priority for this ballclub. The hustle will be the first opportunity for our fans to get a look at our new players and, most importantly, it will give our boys a taste of how to play competitive basketball in front of the sport's most passionate fans.”

Will Trey Galloway and Jakai Newton attend?

The status of Trey Galloway and Jakai Newton was a common topic of conversation during the preseason.

Galloway was injured late last season, missed the Big Ten Tournament and underwent offseason knee surgery.

Newton missed the 2023-24 season with a knee injury but has indicated this preseason that he is ready to play his redshirt freshman season.

Will either player take part in Friday's scrimmage?

A first look at Canaan Carlyle and Myles Rice

Much of the optimism surrounding Indiana's start to the season can be attributed to the program's revamped backcourt.

The Hoosiers added transfers Kanaan Carlyle and Myles Rice to the portal last spring, two of the top guards available.

Rice is expected to be Indiana's starting point guard after posting a first-team All-Pac-12 season at Washington State last season. The 6-foot-2 guard was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and led the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.

Carlyle played at Stanford last season and was named National Player of the Week for his 28-point performance against Arizona on New Year's Eve 2023.

Tonight is the first opportunity for IU fans to see the new Hoosier backcourt. Both guards are known as two-way players. Their defensive abilities are expected to be a significant part of their impact this winter.

The couple Oumar Ballo-Malik Reneau

For the third straight season, Malik Reneau will have new frontcourt teammates.

As a freshman, Reneau was a backup to veterans Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson. Last season, Reneau's second season, he played with Kel'el Ware, who went to the NBA draft.

Now Reneau's partner upfront is another dominant big man. Arizona transfer Oumar Ballo was one of the portal's top players last spring and is now a Hoosier.

Today's scrimmage offers a first look at the Ballo-Reneau pairing. Will they face each other in the scrimmage? Will they be scrimmage teammates and get a glimpse of what they will look like together?

The Ballo-Reneau pair can bear plenty of fruit for Indiana this season. Reneau is an excellent passer who should find Ballo for easy balls. Ballo, one of the best offensive rebounders in the country, will be on hand to eliminate Reneau's misses.

Mike Woodson and Teri Moren will address the fan base

The coach's speeches are usually some of the best parts of Hoosier Hysteria.

A few years ago, Woodson made his famous “Indiana Basketball is the s***” comment at center court. Last year, Woodson's emotion was visible when he asked the fan base to pray for Bob Knight.

There is a lot of optimism for the men's and women's programs heading into the 2024-25 campaign. Both programs are ranked in the Associated Press preseason top 25 polls.

Both coaches are expected to address the audience at the event and provide a brief insight into their teams as the regular season begins just weeks away.

Filed at: Hoosier Hysteria