Indiana Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Hoosiers
Projected Starting Backcourt
Rob Phinisee | 6-foot-1 | 190 lbs | Sophomore
One of the most reliable contributors for the Hoosiers last season, Rob Phinisee is back as the presumed starting point guard. The 6-foot-1 leader proved his worth as a leader and playmaker last year although he was not a top scoring option. Over the course of the campaign, he posted averages of 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Considering IU will likely look for a balanced scoring attack in the absence of Langford/Morgan, a lot of offensive responsibility will fall on the Phinisee’s shoulders.
The rising sophomore will be tasked with running the offense and creating open looks for his teammates. He will also be asked to score at higher volumes. Phinisee is a smart ball-handler and should excel in this role but it is a substantial increase in his offensive importance. One of the biggest keys for him will be improving as a 3-point shooter. Phinisee shot just 31.0% from distance a year ago and his emergence as a perimeter threat would really open up the offensive for IU’s big men, who do not stretch the floor well.
Defensively, Phinisee will continue to be a strong on-ball stopper and vocal leader. The Hoosiers project as a solid all-around defensive team and his impact at the point should not be overlooked. Phinisee puts a lot of effort into his coverage skills.
Devonte Green | 6-foot-3 | 185 lbs | Senior
Devonte Green is Indiana’s top returning scorer from last season and he looks poised to take the next leap on the offensive end of the floor. He is easily the best shooter on the roster (41.0% from deep last season) and that opens up the potential for him to be the center of attention offensively for some stretches. He averaged 9.4 points per game last season and while that might not jump off the computer screen, he is a capable three-level threat.
It is reasonable to assume that he will take on more offensive responsibility as a senior and he will need to step up. Indiana’s offense is a major question mark heading into this campaign and Green could be a consistent double-digit scorer. Injuries were an issue for him last season and hopefully that is resolved. He is also a hard-nosed defender with the ability to cover multiple positions. He is quite possibly the best defender on the roster.
Al Durham | 6-foot-4 | 185 lbs | Junior
Another solid returning option on the wing, Al Durham experienced a bit of a breakout sophomore campaign as a result of improved 3-point shooting. Although he was not a knockdown perimeter scorer, Durham shot 34.8% from three on the year. That was a significant improvement from his 28.6% mark as a freshman.
Durham wound up averaging 8.3 points per game during this past campaign as a result and should reprise a similar role this season. He can be a reliable scorer for the Hoosiers and should see the offense run through him for some stretches. He is already a capable driver and continued improvement from beyond the arc could go a long way in diversifying his scoring profile.