NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Baylor rolling, Ohio State tumbling

I am not comfortable with including Indiana in my Top 25 this week. The Hoosiers are yet to truly impress me at any point in the season but that is the case with most of the teams in the nation. Indiana might not pass the eye test much (for me) but its resume is relatively difficult to argue with. The team holds a 13-3 (3-2 B10) record and features five wins over the KenPom Top 100. This includes an elite home win over Florida State and the Hoosiers most recently added Ohio State to their list of victims in Assembly Hall.

Leading the way for the team so far this season has been Trayce Jackson-Davis. A local star freshman out of Center Grove (IN), TJD has been an immediate impact player this season. Although he does not stretch the floor much at 6-foot-9, Jackson-Davis is a menace underneath on both ends of the floor. He is an aggressive finisher that draws a ton of fouls, rebounds well, and can swat away his fair share of shots as well. TJD has started every game for the Hoosiers and is averaging 14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.

Alongside him, Justin Smith has taken another leap in his production. The former Top 100 recruit is averaging 11.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while playing superb defense. His versatility is a key to the team’s success. Backcourt contributors Devonte Green and Al Durham have both also been crucial this season while averaging in double-figures as scorers.

To this point of the season, Indiana’s ability to win the battles in the paint has helped it leap out to this record. The Hoosiers rank in the Top 30 in both offensive and defensive rebounding rates while also getting to the free-throw line at an absolutely absurd rate (48.1%, 2nd nationally). They struggle with perimeter shooting but can really work the ball inside and they also block a bunch of shots on the other end.