Big Ten Basketball: Ranking the team offenses for 2022-23 season
8. Indiana Hoosiers
2021-22: 67.2 points per game
As Northwestern and Michigan State decline in offensive production, the greatest beneficiary of it all will be Indiana Basketball. The primary reason for the improved success the Hoosiers will have is that Head Coach Mike Woodson will have four starters returning as Tamar Bates becomes their fifth starter after averaging just over 14 minutes off the bench last season.
The Hoosiers have an interesting blend of returning players and talented freshman that round out a roster that can realistically play nine players, highlighted of course by Trayce Jackson-Davis. Regardless if it is starter Xavier Johnson (12.1 ppg, 5.1 apg) or No. 20 freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino handling the ball at point guard, either one will be able to take the ball to the basketball if Race Thompson decides to clear out.
When Thompson does stay in the paint, he will have ample opportunity to get a quality look at the basket and Jackson-Davis has the ability to back down a larger defender in the paint in order to draw a double team. Bates and Trey Galloway will also benefit when Jackson-Davis provides an up screen for the point guard and they receive the skip pass to attack the rim while Jackson-Davis occupies the defense’s attention. If it happens to be Miller Kopp on the receiving end of the skip pass, look for a three-point attempt.
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Despite the Hoosiers’ offense being predictable because it is obvious it will be going through Jackson-Davis, it will be up to opposing coaches to decide which poison they want to choose. Whether it is Jackson-Davis himself, or Jackson-Davis to Thompson or the skip pass using Jackson-Davis as a decoy, the Hoosiers’ offense will be fun to watch this season.