Indiana Basketball Season Preview

Well, it’s finally here, the tipoff of Indiana basketball’s 2014-15 season. We all know what happened in the last couple of days, but it’s in the past now, and it’s time to focus on the games ahead.

Projected Starting 5 (when at full strength)

G – Yogi Ferrell

G – James Blackmon Jr.

G – Nick Zeisloft

F – Troy Williams

F – Hanner Mosquera-Perea

Ferrell, Blackmon Jr., Williams and Mosquera-Perea were all gimmes, making Zeisloft the wild card. The Illinois State transfer got some opportunities to start during the team’s games in Canada and played very well. He is a three-point specialist and should do wonders for an offense that had little outside shooting a season ago. Zeisloft will spread the floor and should make life easier for those who want to drive the lane.

Rotation

Sixth Man – Stan Robinson

Robert Johnson

Max Hoetzel

Emmitt Holt

Tim Priller

Despite the suspension, I still think Robinson will be Crean’s go-to guy off the bench. He showed a knack for being a spark plug last year, so it’s a good role for him. Some think Johnson will start, and he probably could over Zeisloft. The only reason I think he doesn’t is because the Hoosiers will want on the floor for his ball-handling when Ferrell needs a break.

Hoetzel and Priller may be tall but they lack bulk to play down low, so while Devin Davis is out, Crean will most likely look to Holt to bang on the block.

Strengths

Guard play is the best thing the Hoosiers have going for them.

Guard play is the best thing the Hoosiers have going for them. Ferrell and Blackmon Jr. will be one of the best backcourt combos in the entire country. Johnson is going to surprise a lot of people and be sure to keep Zeisloft on your radar.

The other strength of this team will be three-point shooting. Ferrell, Blackmon Jr., Zeisloft, Johnson, Hoetzel and Priller are all effective shooters from distance. The long range shooting should resemble Indiana’s last two NCAA tournament teams.

Weaknesses

The low post is a definite weakness. Mosquera-Perea is the only big with any experience and let’s be honest, he’s been less than stellar in the minutes he’s played. Losing Davis was an enormous hit to the Hoosiers. He was slated to be one of Indiana’s best rebounders, so now it has to count on Holt and Priller to pick up the slack.

The second weakness is experience/leadership. This is still a very young team as there are zero seniors on the roster. Leadership has to come from someone, but who? Obviously, the Hoosiers are facing a lot of adversity as the season begins. Is there someone on the team who can lead them in the right direction?