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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 – NOVEMBER 20: Durham #1 of the Hoosiers shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 20: Durham #1 of the Hoosiers shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Overall outlook for the Hoosiers

On the whole, the Hoosiers will have a tough time competing for an NCAA Tournament bid this season. The program missed the Big Dance a year ago and lost arguably their two most important players following the campaign. Indiana will have a much deeper roster this season and should still be superb on the defensive end of the floor, but the team lacks starpower and a go-to offensive threat. They should rank near the top of the Big Ten in defensive efficiency but it will be difficult to consistent rack up wins without a strong offense. There is not a single returning double-digit scorer on the roster and that is definitely concerning.

I am not worried about Indiana’s defense but someone needs to step up as a go-to scorer. Will that incoming freshman Trayce-Jackson Davis? Or maybe breakout candidate Justin Smith? We will have to wait to find out but finding a legitimate first scoring option will be vital for Coach Miller. Additionally, the team needs to improve with regards to 3-point shooting. The Hoosiers will still look to run the vast majority of their offense through the paint this season but that will be difficult if nobody can be counted on as a threat from beyond the arc.

Indiana’s ceiling is not nearly as high as it was a season ago due to the departures of Morgan and Langford, but the fanbase still has its sights set on reaching the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers will need to play gritty basketball in order to make that happen as they need to grind out each and every game. They are experienced, deep, and hard-nosed on defense. This might be a season in which the Hoosiers succeed because the sum of all the parts is more important than the lack of starpower.

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That concludes this season preview for Indiana. Will the Hoosiers be able to answer the call and reach the NCAA Tournament? If not, the seat will start to heat up under Coach Miller. This team is deep enough to exceed expectations even if they do not boast a ton of stars.

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