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, IN – NOVEMBER 20: Aijami Durham #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers shoots the ball against the UT Arlington Mavericks at Assembly Hall on November 20, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 20: Aijami Durham #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers shoots the ball against the UT Arlington Mavericks at Assembly Hall on November 20, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Al Durham

Al Durham, like Justin Smith, is entering his junior season after having a significant role as a sophomore.

The combo guard played almost 29 minutes per game last season in which he averaged over eight points per game to go along with two rebounds and two assists. He was also Indiana’s second leading three-point shooter, nailing 35 percent of his 3.4 attempts per game from deep.

Coming into this season, the Hoosiers are going to need more volume and efficiency from Durham from deep as the roster is still somewhat lacking in three-point shooting. He’s not just a shooter, though. He’s gotten stronger and has the ability to beat defenders off the dribble and finish at the rim.

As Durham enters his junior season, his responsibility will grow however. Not only will he be looked at as a leader, and captain of the team, but also as a ball handler and setting up the offense.

"“Definitely without question I see him (Durham) playing a lot more point guard for us this year,” Miller said at IU media day.  “I feel like that’s going to be something that’s going to help our team. It’s going to put — if it’s not Rob or Devonte, it’s going to put him on the floor as an older player with the ball in his hands. That’s important.”"

Look for he and his back-court mate, Devonte Green, to handle a bulk of the scoring responsibilities, but also for Durham to be one of the most important players for the 2019-20 season.

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