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Indiana Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Hoosiers

By Lukas Harkins

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 02: Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers during a game against the Michigan State Spartans in overtime at Breslin Center on February 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 02: Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers during a game against the Michigan State Spartans in overtime at Breslin Center on February 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – DECEMBER 22: Green of the Hoosiers shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – DECEMBER 22: Green of the Hoosiers shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Key storylines to follow

1. How does Coach Miller manage the frontcourt rotation?

It is no secret that Indiana’s frontcourt is extremely crowded this season. With essentially three new additions (TJD, Brunk, Thompson), it is bound to be challenging for Coach Miller to figure out a consistent rotation. All of these newcomers, as well as returners De’Ron Davis and Justin Smith, are worthy of seeing the court in every game and that will be tough to manage.

This is especially true when you consider that the two upperclassmen, Brunk and Davis, feature plenty of experience and that could be valuable in the starting lineup while incoming freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis is likely the most talented of the entire group. There is no easy answer to this question and it will thus be a storyline to follow throughout the opening weeks of the season. Who will Coach Miller turn to when it comes to the starting lineup and, more importantly, crunch time?

2. Will there be enough shooting?

Shooting is paramount to success in the modern game of basketball. Yet, the Hoosiers struggled mightily from beyond the arc last season and that seems likely to continue into this campaign. Devonte Green (41.0% last year) is the only proven perimeter threat on the entire roster as everyone else shot below 35% for the season. As a team, the Hoosiers connected on just 31.2% of their total 3-point attempts last season, a mark that ranked 317th in the nation out of 353 teams. They also shot just 27.5% from deep in Big Ten play, which was worst in the conference.

Considering Armaan Franklin is the only newcomer with any reputation as a shooter, I wouldn’t expect the Hoosiers to start torching the nets this season, especially not with a deeper 3-point line. But with frontcourt stars Justin Smith and TJD likely leading the way as top scoring options for the team, Coach Miller’s backcourt will need to be able to knock down open shots to clear space inside. If not, the Hoosiers’ offense could sputter quickly due to collapsed defenses.

3. Can IU’s defense reach elite levels?

Assuming the Hoosiers continue to struggle from beyond the arc offensively, their best bet for overcoming that weakness is taking the next step into the “elite” category on the defensive end. Indiana ranked 32nd in AdjD last season and it is reasonable to assume they could take a leap on that end. Neither Langford nor Morgan was a superb defender last season and they should have Davis and Green back at full health.

Slowing down the pace of games and grinding out defensive battles might be Indiana’s path to success this season. It might not be pretty but low-scoring victories still go in the standings as Ws. Defense will be the focal point of the team once again this year.

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