Indiana Hoosiers
Big Ten (25-7, 15-3)
Once Thomas Bryant committed to Indiana last offseason, many believed Indiana would compete with Maryland and Michigan State for the Big Ten title. After a horrific start, which included losses to Wake Forest, UNLV and a bludgeoning against Duke, some thought Indiana was dead and buried. Then the team started gelling together and rattled off 12 wins in a row. Then they lost starter James Blackmon Jr. The back half of the Hoosiers Big Ten schedule was among the toughest in the conference. Yet despite all of the adversity, the Hoosiers won the Big Ten regular season outright after a masterful coaching job by Tom Crean.
Big Wins: 12/19 vs Notre Dame (80-73), 2/20 Purdue (77-73), 3/1 at Iowa (81-78)
Bad Losses: 11/23 vs Wake Forest (78-82), 11/25 vs UNLV (69-72), 2/6 at Penn State (63-68)
Coach: Tom Crean
Why They Can Surprise:
Their three-point shooting will carry them. They were second in the Big Ten in three-point percentage and can put a bevy of guys on the outside that can stroke it – they boast the most three-point specialists in the conference. Four players shoot over 40% from long range. Max Bielfeldt has really emerged as a clutch shooter for them and Yogi Ferrell, the team’s best player and point guard, is also lethal from deep. He gets the team in position to execute and hits big shots when it’s most important. His “clutch gene” has pulled out victories for this team numerous times. Also, since the injury to Blackmon, the emergence of O.G. Anunoby has been a revelation. He has played significant minutes and his presence has been felt, especially on defense. Indiana can also control the glass. Bryant, Anunoby and forward Collin Hartman are all solid rebounders.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Inconsistency is one problem. Obviously this team took a while to find itself, but those early season losses were unsettling. They lost to a bad Penn State team midway through the conference season, albeit on the road. At times, it was difficult for Coach Crean to figure out which team he is going to get each night. Indiana plays better when the game is close or they are ahead. When they are playing catch-up, they are not playing their game. They tend to force shots instead of play within themselves and find the open shooters. Bench depth could come into play for the Hoosiers as well. Their productivity when their stars get into foul trouble will be something to watch for.
Probable Starters:
Yogi Ferrell, Senior, Guard, 17.0 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.9 rpg
Robert Johnson, Sophomore, Guard, 8.2 ppg, 3.1 apg, 3.5 rpg
Troy Williams, Junior, Forward, 13.1 ppg, 2 apg, 5.9 rpg
Max Bielfeldt, Senior, Forward, 8.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Thomas Bryant, Freshman, Center, 11.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Collin Hartman, Junior, Forward, 4.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg
OG Anunoby, Freshman, Forward, 4.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Nick Zeisloft, Senior, Guard, 6.8 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 82.7 (11th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.8 (104, 10)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.2 (3, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.1 (216, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 10.1 (9, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 41.9 (5, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.0 (96, 7)
Rebound Margin: 7.1 (26, 3)
Assists Per Game: 16.1 (32, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.6 (258, 13)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2015 NCAA Second Round loss to Wichita State
2013 NCAA Second Round win over James Madison
2013 NCAA Third Round win over Temple
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Syracuse
2012 NCAA Second Round win over New Mexico State
2012 NCAA Third Round win over Virginia Commonwealth
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Kentucky
2008 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Arkansas
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Gonzaga
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to UCLA
2006 NCAA Round of 64 win over San Diego State
2006 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Gonzaga
2005 NIT First Round loss to Vanderbilt
2003 NCAA Round of 64 win over Alabama
2003 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Pittsburg
*all team stats through 3/6
