Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: Five question marks for 2019-20

By Trevor Gersmehl

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 15: Indiana Hoosiers celebrate after Rob Phinisee hit the game-winning shot against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half of the Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana won 71-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 15: Indiana Hoosiers celebrate after Rob Phinisee hit the game-winning shot against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half of the Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana won 71-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 02: Indiana Hoosiers bench celebrates after play against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 02: Indiana Hoosiers bench celebrates after play against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Will depth be an issue again?

Prior to last season, it was thought that depth would be one of Indiana’s greatest assets. This thought did not mimic reality, however, as Archie Miller often times only went seven players deep in his lineups.

Injuries played a large role in this, but players like freshmen Damezi Anderson and the recent transfer Jake Forrester almost never took the court in conference play. Despite their talent, it’s safe to assume Miller thought they needed more time to develop before throwing them to the wolves.

This Indiana team boasts a similar depth narrative to the team that was out on the floor a season ago.

If fully healthy, there will be an abundance of players that can make an impact on any game. It is worth wondering if Archie Miller will be willing to dip more into the bench than he did last season.

The bench will still be inexperienced, with Armaan Franklin, Damezi Anderson, Race Thompson, and Jerome Hunter, if he is able to return from injury, all being freshmen or sophomores having played very few meaningful minutes.

Depending on how these young names can adapt to the college game, we could see Coach Miller play anywhere from seven players to 11 any given game.

There will be plenty of battling for minutes this season, but who will step up, and how till the depth on this roster play out?

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