Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: 5 most important players for IU this season

By Ryan Sullivan

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 02: De'Ron Davis #20 of the Indiana Hoosiers drives to the basket and draws a foul from Nick Ward #44 of 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: De'Ron Davis #20 of the Indiana Hoosiers drives to the basket and draws a foul from Nick Ward #44 of 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) /
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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 19: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers shoots the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 19, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 19: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers shoots the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 19, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3. Justin Smith

Justin Smith has all the potential in the world to be a great two-way player.

He has shown flashes of it for the past two seasons including a 24-point, performance against a top 10 team last season in Michigan State, but it’s his inconsistencies that have made him frustrating to watch at times.

The 6-foot-7 junior is an incredible athlete with the skills and athleticism to be a force on both sides of the ball, but needs to focus on what he does best.

Given he’s now had two years of experience, it would not be surprising to see Smith make a leap as a junior, and it’s needed.

With the game slowing down for him, like Devonte Green last year, he projects to be a smarter player in his junior season.

If he can keep his effort level high and eliminate some of the turnover and shot selection issues that have plagued him in the past, Smith should be one of Indiana’s top offensive threats.

The most crucial part of Smith’s game that needs to improve to help the Hoosiers most however, is his defensive ability.

"“He’s got versatility where hopefully we can move him back and forth from the perimeter to the small forward slot. To me, he’s as capable a defender as there is in college. He’s as good as it gets in terms of talent and athleticism. When his mind is right and he’s really focused, to me he will be one of the better defenders in the Big 10.” Miller said of Smith at IU media day."

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