Busting Brackets
Fansided

Indiana Basketball: 5 keys for a successful 2019-20 season

By Lukas Harkins

BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 14: A rack of basketballs at the Indiana Hoosiers games against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on January 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 14: A rack of basketballs at the Indiana Hoosiers games against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on January 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 19: Smith #3 of the Hoosiers shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 19: Smith #3 of the Hoosiers shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Upperclassmen emerge as offensive leaders

Romeo Langford (16.5 points) and Juwan Morgan (15.5 points) were the only two Hoosiers who averaged in double-figures last season and neither is returning for this coming year. As a result, there are bound to be concerns regarding Indiana’s scoring for 2019-20. The program does not bring back any proven scorers at the college level and they will need to see a few players take substantial steps in that regard. The most likely candidates are all upperclassmen and their experience coupled with their talent will hopefully pay dividends.

At the core of this optimism should be Justin Smith, a 6-foot-7 rising junior with a strong all-around offensive game. The forward struggled with efficiency last season but still managed to average 8.2 points per game while only playing a bit over half of each contest. Smith looks poised to take on a much bigger role on the offensive end this season and he could be the team’s top scorer. He might have the highest ceiling of any Hoosier on the roster this season, although TJD is pretty close as well.

Additionally, the Hoosiers are returning a pair of guards that can be counted on for consistent buckets as well. Rising senior Devonte Green (9.4 points) and junior Aljami Durham (8.3 points) both saw their fair share of minutes last season and functioned as tertiary scoring options. They will likely reprise handling similar offensive burdens this year but their volume of shot attempts will increase a bit. That is, of course, unless starting point guard Rob Phinisee greatly improves as a scorer. Green and Durham represent two of the better shooters on this roster and that is another area of focus heading into 2019-20.

Home/Indiana Hoosiers