Indiana Basketball: 5 takeaways from scrimmage vs Marquette

BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 14: A rack of balls at the Indiana Hoosiers games against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on January 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 14: A rack of balls at the Indiana Hoosiers games against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on January 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 27: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils goes after the ball against Aljami Durham #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 27: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils goes after the ball against Aljami Durham #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

3. Al Durham As Main Ball Handler

Archie Miller has been open about wanting, and needing, Al Durham to be more of a ball handler, and without both Rob Phinisee and Devonte Green on the court, Durham spent 26 minutes as the main point guard.

With 11 points on just 2-of-4 from the field, he did get to the line numerous times, going 6-for-8. The stats that everyone wanted to see though, was how efficient he was as someone who could get the offense going and distribute the ball.

With four assists and just two turnovers, it was a steady effort for the junior guard and something that should only get better as he becomes more comfortable as one of the main ball handlers on the roster.

For his career, Durham has had four games of more than three assists in a game, but in those games, he didn’t turn the ball over once, showing his ability to be a consistent playmaker for his teammates.

With Phinisee and Green expected to receive a lot of the opponent’s attention, having a third guy who can still create at a high level while not turning the ball over is critical in order to have a successful season.