Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: Predicting the lineups for the 2019-2020 season

By Trevor Gersmehl

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 02: Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers during a game against the Michigan State Spartans in overtime at Breslin Center on February 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 02: Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers during a game against the Michigan State Spartans in overtime at Breslin Center on February 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – DECEMBER 22: Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers shoots the ball against the Jacksonville Dolphins at Assembly Hall on December 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – DECEMBER 22: Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers shoots the ball against the Jacksonville Dolphins at Assembly Hall on December 22, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. The Experienced Lineup

Al Durham

Devonte Green

Justin Smith

Trayce Jackson-Davis

De’Ron Davis

This lineup provides a great amount of experience. With the exception of Trayce Jackson-Davis (who is just too talented to not be on the floor), all the guys in this lineup have been in Archie Miller’s system together for years.

Archie Miller has made it clear that Al Durham is poised to take more primary ball-handling responsibility than in past seasons. While it hasn’t been explicitly stated, I interpret this as Miller saying that sophomore Rob Phinisee could be demoted to the bench in certain situations.

In addition to its experience, the major benefits of this lineup are that it is a good defensive lineup and has multiple guys with good playmaking skills.

Devonte Green can be used as a primary ball-handler in addition to Al Durham, and De’Ron Davis is an elite passer for a big man. Durham, Green, and Smith are all solid perimeter defenders, and there are two rim protectors inside.

There are, however, some major cons to this lineup. There isn’t much shooting; Green and Durham would be the only reliable three-point shooters on the court.

It also remains to be seen if Jackson-Davis can guard on the perimeter. He’s a very athletic guy, but if he’s matched up on a quick power forward, then he could have trouble staying in front of his man.

At the same time, he might be able to dominate the same guy on the interior on offense. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out, and it may vary from game to game who wins the size vs. speed battle.

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