Indiana Basketball makes big splash in transfer portal with Xavier Johnson

Indiana Basketball maintained its positive momentum on Wednesday when it picked up coveted Pitt transfer Xavier Johnson. Johnson had drawn interest from the likes of Baylor and Houston, to name a few.

The fact that Mike Woodson and company were able to lure Johnson away from two teams that just participated in the Final Four, bodes really well for the Hoosiers. Although it is very early in Coach Woodson’s tenure at Indiana, he could not have asked for a better start.

Johnson’s addition to the Indiana roster could prove to be a big positive for Hoosiers. Johnson brings something to the floor that Indiana could have desperately used last season—a downhill player.

With athleticism to burn, Johnson is a player who can beat his man and get into the lane and finish. He is also a guy who can get out in transition and help the Hoosiers play faster, which Coach Woodson has already said is his plan.

In addition to that, Johnson is an above-average distributor, who can make plays for his teammates. That is something the Hoosiers definitely need.

Johnson also seems to address another pressing need for Indiana—a player with some swagger. The Hoosiers desperately need a fiery personality; one that can breathe some life into his mild-mannered teammates.

One concern that Johnson’s arrival creates is a log jam at the point guard position. With Robert Phinisee and Khristian Lander already on the roster, Indiana now has three-point guards.

That will not be too concerning if a couple of them can be on the floor at the same time. Shooting is the question there. If Phinisee can regain his confidence and shooting stroke, he might be able to play off the ball a little more as a senior, allowing Lander and Johnson to share the point guard duties.

I cannot foresee Johnson and Lander thriving in the backcourt together unless Coach Woodson has some more magic up his sleeve—magic that can make them knockdown shooters over the summer. Barring a big turnaround this off-season, Lander is going to need a shooter on the floor with him as much as possible.

Regardless, Xavier Johnson’s addition will definitely give Indiana a different look in the backcourt next season.