Mackenzie Holmes was named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press. It is the first time a Hoosier has earned that honor. The Indiana team earned the program’s first-ever No. 1 seed as well. Coach Teri Moren, earned Big Ten Coach of the year. The atmosphere they have at Indiana is electric. It’s all straight back and the team mentality is: they are all in it together. The arena is one of the best in the country, steeped with history and tradition.
Holmes did absurdly amazing things all season long, on and off the court. On the court she earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors (with 1.9 blocks per game). She is also among the top nation’s most efficient shooters at 68.8%. Off the court Holmes is very involved helping to make a difference within the entire Bloomington campus community.
Holmes and her three teammate guards are tight-knit, and incredibly hard-working, making a big statement win in February beating Iowa State. Holmes and Berger combined for 50 points that game. This type of play continued all season long, with Holmes dominating. Another win in early March v. Michigan State, Holmes put up 27 points and 5 rebounds.
Holmes continues to be solid at the free throw line and big in the paint. She is aggressive and highly skilled, being able to score with either her right or left which is deadly. She is a very rare player. She is also bigger than anyone in her conference, making her incredibly tough to play against. Her play opens up space and opportunities for the guards. Holmes, and her teammates, (Grace Berger and Sydney Parrish) have put the spotlight on the program and helped earn Indiana a first-ever No. 1 seed.
On March 21, The Hoosiers were cut short to repeat a sweet sixteen appearance in a tough battle v. Miami. They knew it would take a tremendous effort to win it, but they had their sights set on going far in the NCAA Tournament. Indiana would need to be up in the first half of the game, that did not happen. They did, however battle back in the second half, going down to the wire in the last few seconds. With 6 seconds left in the game it was tied up. The Hoosiers home court would seemingly not benefit from any whistle calls on their end. Miami made a last shot and it fell. In the end, Indiana ran out of time.
The Hoosiers 28-4 season record exemplifies many positive take aways from the season. And worth noting, their 4 losses (only combined 12 points total). This team will undoubtedly be back in full throttle next year, to finish what they have started.
Holmes is a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award, the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy, the Wooden Award, and the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Year. This was Holmes’ second All-American season; she was an honorable mention as a sophomore in 2020-21.
Holmes plans to be back next year for her last season, due to a year of (Covid eligibility). On behalf of the Holmes/Hoosier fans of Gorham, congratulations on an incredible season.