Big Ten Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

Indiana – Rob Phinisee and Trey Galloway

Decrease in production: Rob Phinisee

Aside from a three-game stint stretching from late December into early January, Rob Phinisee started as the Indiana Hoosiers starting point guard. In that role, Phinisee averaged just over seven points and just under three assists per game for head coach Archie Miller.  The end of the 2020-21 season saw the end of Archie Miller’s tenure at Indiana, and coincidentally the end of Phinisee starting at point guard.

The transfer of Xavier Johnson from Pittsburgh means Phinisee will move to the bench and by default see a decrease in his 27 minutes per game. Losing your starting position is a sure-fire way to suffer a decrease in your production.

Increase in production: Trey Galloway

As a freshman, the 6’4 guard started seven games in the backcourt while averaging under four points in just over 19 minutes per game. Galloway spent the majority of the season backing up senior Aljami Durham (11,3), who has transferred to Providence. Durham’s departure will not spell a starting role, as 6’5  No.27 ranked freshman Tamar Bates will most likely be the starter.

Despite not moving into a starting role, Galloway’s playing time will increase as he is able to back up Bates as well as backup transfer Miller Kopp, if first-year head coach Mike Woodson chooses to play ‘small-ball’. With 6’7 Jerome Hunter (19.6 mpg) transferring to Xavier and 6’4 Armaan Franklin (30.1 mpg) transferring to Virginia, It might just be an increased bench role, but Galloway’s role and production will increase this season.