Indiana Basketball: Justin Smith showed flashes, but inconsistency this year

It’s that time again where we take a look at the Indiana basketball roster and break down the season of each player. Today is Justin Smith.

Previous Reviews: Juwan Morgan | Zach McRoberts | Evan Fitzner | De’Ron Davis | Devonte Green

One of the most skilled and highest potential forwards in the Big Ten, Justin Smith has proven to be an inconsistent piece on the Indiana basketball team, especially shown this past year.

A high flying athlete, Smith loves to play above the rim on both the offensive and defensive end, and has proven to be a highlight reel at times throughout his Indiana career.

With two years under him now, Smith needs to take a step up in his production going into his junior season.

Here’s how Smith did this past year and what’s ahead in his future in an Indiana uniform.

2018-19 Season in Review

Coming into this year, there were a lot of high expectations for Smith after having a pretty decent freshman campaign.

The 6-foot-7 hybrid forward averaged 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and shot 49.6 percent from the field this season, but was plagued by inconsistent play all year.

Scoring in double figures in 13 games, he also scored less than five points on eight different occasions and went scoreless three times.

Though he had his extreme inconsistencies, when he showed up for games, he played extremely well, most notably against Michigan State.

In both games against the Spartans, he had his best two outings of the season, scoring a career-high 24 points at home in the upset, as well as adding 13 points and 10 rebounds in the first matchup.

Granted he didn’t have many opportunities with the offense not running through him, only four games with double-digit shot attempts, it was also difficult to do so with his high turnover rate.

With a turnover rate of 19 percent on the season, he had eight games with three or more turnovers. As a forward who spends the majority of his time in the mid-range and in, that is unacceptable.

Overall though, Smith did show Indiana fans what he can do when he is playing with energy and is engaged in the game, something they will need next year out of him.

What’s Next?

There’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about it, Smith needs to be better if Indiana is going to make it back in the NCAA Tournament.

Smith is now going into his second offseason at Indiana, third if you count the summer before his freshman year, and there are a lot of improvements he needs to make.

With his versatility, he resembles the exact type of forward Archie Miller loves. A ‘small ball’ four with the ability to use his athleticism to his advantage on opposing bigs.

Going into next year, it is imperative that Smith learns how to play within himself and stick to what works.

Only a career 24 percent three-point shooter, Smith needs to understand that he will make his impact on the offensive glass and in the paint. His ability to rebound the ball offensively is something that should separate him from others, but he regressed in that category this season.

With De’Ron Davis going into his senior year with (hopefully) a healthy offseason, and the addition of Trayce Jackson-Davis, Smith needs to hone in on his strengths, as well as improve his shot selection in order to see the maximum amount of minutes that someone with his athleticism and versatility should see.