Indiana Basketball strikes out as Armaan Franklin commits to Virginia

Indiana Basketball experienced its first strikeout of the Mike Woodson era on Thursday when sophomore guard Armaan Franklin committed to transfer to Virginia. The signs had been pointing toward the fact that Franklin was seriously considering a new home, and Thursday he made it official.

Make no bones about it, Franklin is a big loss for the Hoosiers and a big gain for Tony Bennett and Virginia. Franklin was Indiana’s second-leading scorer last season behind Trayce Jackson Davis, averaging 11.4 points per game. That was a huge jump from the 3.7 points per game he averaged as a freshman. He was undoubtedly Indiana’s most improved player last season, and one of the most improved in the Big Ten.

Perhaps the bigger concern for Indiana is the 42.9 percent clip that Franklin shot from the 3-point line, an Achilles heel for the Hoosiers. Losing shooters is not something Indiana needs right now. Franklin was the lone player to shoot the three with confidence and consistency last season.

The arrival of Parker Stewart, the Tennessee-Martin transfer, should help to mitigate the loss of Armaan Franklin for Indiana when it comes to point production next season. Stewart is a career 37 percent shooter from behind the arc, who has the reputation of being a knock-down shooter.

Franklin was also Indiana’s best and most consistent perimeter defender last season, and he had all the physical tools to continue to improve that part of his game. Losing a defensive player of his caliber always hurts.

Indiana’s late-season collapse seemed to coincide with an ankle injury that Franklin suffered in early January, and reaggravated in late February. With their number two scoring option hampered by injury, the Hoosiers struggled to score. Even with Armaan healthy, Indiana’s offense was anemic. Without him, it appeared to be on life support.

New Hoosiers Parker Stewart and Xavier Johnson—the Pitt transfer that Indiana picked up this week—will give Indiana a very new look in the backcourt next season. Xavier Johnson brings speed and athleticism, while Stewart brings a pure shooting stroke and some length on his 6’5” frame.

Of course, Coach Mike Woodson would have loved to have kept Armaan Franklin in the backcourt with those two. Who wouldn’t have? But Armaan decided the best move for him was one to Charlottesville and a Tony Bennett-led Virginia program. Who can fault him there? It is a tremendous opportunity for him.

Sorry, Coach Woodson, you had to strike out at some point. If you had kept going at the pace you were, Hoosier Nation was going to make you governor or something. We know you do not want that job. Roaming the sidelines of Branch McCracken Court is much better.