Indiana
University (15)
by Adam Spinella
Projected Starters
G
6-0
PT%
87.21
G
PTE
22.77
6-4
PT%
48.90
G
PT%
72.72
6-7
PT%
64.85
F/C 6-10
PT%
0.00
HS100 AC/AA
25
1-AC
Nick Zeisloft
PTE
13.36
6-4
F
Yogi Ferrell
HS100 AC/AA
James Blackmon
SR
NBA
SR
NBA
SO
PTE
16.50
HS100 AC/AA
20
HMAC
NBA
PTE
16.13
HS100 AC/AA
51
HMAC
NBA
23
Troy Williams
Thomas Bryant
PTE
0.00
HS100 AC/AA
25
JR
FR
NBA
20
Bench Rotation
G
6-3
PT%
67.43
F
PTE
-0.36
6-7
PT%
33.91
F
F
HS100 AC/AA
47
Max Bieflfeldt
PTE
6.33
6-6
PT%
46.40
Robert Johnson
HS100 AC/AA
Collin Hartman
PTE
8.17
HS100 AC/AA
6-8 Juwan Morgan
PT%
0.00
PTE
0.00
HS100 AC/AA
SO
NBA
SR
NBA
JR
NBA
FR
NBA
Talent is not the sole indicator
of success. As the Indiana Hoosiers
struggle to find leadership, their
culture has crumbled and the program
is in the spotlight for all the wrong
reasons. The dismissal of troubled
sophomore Emmitt Holt is just the
latest in a string of off-court issues
over the past 18 months. Head
coach Tom Crean and University
President Michael McRobbie have
sent the memo loud and clear: Indiana
basketball players need to be better, or
changes have to take place.
But Crean, like any other head
coach, is ultimately responsible for his
players and their behavior. He must
continue to rationalize the decision not
to immediately kick off center Hanner
Mosquera-Perea last season when
Perea was in trouble with the law. The
junior center remained on the team,
got in trouble once again, and then was
asked to leave the program this spring.
Crean is a fantastic coach and
a strong recruiter. He’s got a fiery
personality and paces the sidelines
during games like he’s holding in a
bowel movement, and some players
respond well to that type of leadership.
He’s always run solid motion, last
year incorporating some Chin actions
and a lot of 5-out offense that fit
the personnel of the team. Indiana
was a nightmare to guard for teams
with big men and less mobility. They
could all shoot and attack off the
dribble, punishing teams that couldn’t
keep them in front. Last season, the
Hoosiers were 18th in the country
in scoring and eighth in 3-point
percentage.
The offense will continue to be
the ir calling card this season as a
trio of sensational scoring guards
anchor the team. Yogi Ferrell, the
team’s top scorer and assist-man last
season, looks to step up his game
as the on-court leader of this team.
James Blackmon Jr. comes back to
the rotation after knee surgery this
summer. The son of an Indiana high
school basketball coach, Blackmon
is a multi-dimensional scorer that
can fill it up in a hurry. Sophomore
Troy Williams is a tall wing who
can rebound and shoot, a nightmare
to guard for many teams in the
conference. Combined, these three
should put up around 50 a night—
another season of working together
will make this sensational trio one
of the most dynamic forces in the
country.
Wings Nick Zeisloft and Robert
Johnson are also knock-down shooters
who space the floor. They aren’t as
adept at attacking poor closeouts and
getting to the rim, but they are crucial
in creating the lanes for the others.
Johnson will likely start and Zeisloft
BBALLBREAKDOWN | 32