NCAA Basketball: 2022-23 Christmas wishlist for each top 25 team

18. Indiana Hoosiers – Jalen Hood-Schifino to become an elite PG

The preseason Big Ten favorites suffered a tough break, losing starting point guard Xavier Johnson indefinitely after suffering a broken foot. He may have his ups and downs at times but was averaging 10 ppg and 5.0 apg and shot 37% from three-point range. It’s a big loss for a team that at times has been relying on star forward, Trayce Jackson-Davis, to carry them.

The hope for the Hoosiers is that Hood-Schifino can take over the position for 30 mpg. He’s averaging roughly the same stats as Johnson while playing mostly off the ball. It’ll be in his hands more now and the former top-30 prospect has shown flashes of star potential. If he can do that in league play, Indiana can remain in the top tier of the Big Ten. Their season may ultimately come down to how good he runs the offense.

17. Wisconsin Badgers – Take more three-pointers

In typical Wisconsin offensive fashion, it’s never pretty on the eyes but it’s good enough to win games. This season, they’re in the top 60 in three-point percentage at 37%, thanks to guards  Connor Essegian and Chucky Hepburn each shooting over 46% from deep respectively. Where they’re weak is inside the arc, ranking around 300th nationally. Forwards Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl are double-digit scorers but not the most efficient from the field.

The Badgers are 2-0 in the Big Ten and look to be a top-4 team but the offense still could use some improvement. The easiest adjustment would be to simply take more threes instead of twos since that’s a clear strength on this team. And more minutes from Essegian, who comes off the bench at 21 mpg, would help as well.