BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Brenna Wise wasn't used to this.

The sitting.

The watching.

The waiting.

But that was the situation the Cranberry Township native and Vincentian Academy graduate found herself in over the winter after transferring from the University of Pittsburgh to the Indiana University women's basketball team.

Since she first picked up a basketball, Wise had been a fixture on the court for whatever team she was on.

Until the 2016-17 season.

“It was definitely a tough pill to swallow to say the least,” Wise said. “As much as you think you are prepared to sit out a year, you're not.”

Because of NCAA rules, Wise was reduced to spectator on game days.

But Wise, now a redshirt junior for the Hoosiers, used her time off the court, well, wisely.

“When you're a freshman coming into a program, you have to learn the coaches and the system on the fly,” Wise said. “I had an entire year to learn the coaches and the system (here). I feel like I learned a lot sitting, seeing the game from a different perspective. I feel like my basketball IQ has really improved.”

Wise also went through arduous workouts at least three days a week in addition to team activities. She used that extra time to hone an already stellar skill set that allowed the 6-footer to post 10.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as a freshman at Pitt and 14.3 points and 6.4 boards per contest for the Panthers as a sophomore in 2016-17.

Wise also worked to expand her versatility.

Wise is listed as a forward, but she can also play center and guard.

She did that at Vincentian where she scored 2,331 career points and was named PIAA Player of the Year twice.

“I can work all three levels,” Wise said. “I haven't mastered any. I have a long way to go.”

As humble as she is dangerous on the court, Wise was also a vocal supporter of the Hoosiers during her transfer season.

She could be found during games on the bench, waving towels, standing, screaming and giving support any way she could to her teammates.

“Coach (Teri Moren) and her staff are really big on intangibles. They're about more than just who can work a shot or who can work a dribble crossover,” Wise said.

Wise was particularly excited when Indiana won the Women's NIT, beating Virginia Tech, 65-57, in Bloomington.

She'll be even more pumped when she can finally step back out onto the court.

“When the season was over, I was like, 'OK. When's our first game?'” Wise said. “Our non-conference schedule hasn't come out yet, but I'm counting down the days.

“I can't wait to put the uniform on and put my stills to the test,” Wise added.

Through it all, Wise said she has never had an inkling of regret about transferring from Pitt to Indiana.

“Absolutely not,” she said. “You can't live with the what ifs. It was the greatest decision for me as a person and a player. I've grown a lot as a person by stepping out of my comfort zone.”

Wise stressed that leaving Pitt had nothing to do with the school or the program.

“Pitt was a great fit for me as well,” she said. “I took so much of what I learned at Pitt to Indiana. I didn't transfer because of the people. I wanted to challenge myself.”