Indiana Basketball: 3 takeaways from blowout win vs Gannon
By Alec Lasley
1. Armaan Franklin Will See Significant Minutes
The forgotten member of the incoming class with Trayce Jackson-Davis and Joey Brunk, Armaan Franklin continues to play great in the preseason for Indiana.
Without either starter in the backcourt against Marquette, Franklin led the Hoosiers with 14 points, and once again Franklin proved to be a steady force in the backcourt against Gannon.
Though Rob Phinisee played, Franklin got the start and saw significantly more minutes in the backcourt than Phinisee. In 31 minutes, Franklin scored 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting, eight rebounds, and chipped in four assists.
Granted it was against a DII opponent, it was the confidence and efficiency that Franklin played with that should have the Indiana staff and fans excited about.
What has been a welcomed sight is his ability to play added minutes at the point guard spot. Though he won’t need to be playing a large amount of minutes at the one, giving Archie Miller the option to use him in place of Phinisee for spot minutes at that position will be critical in Big Ten play.
His hard-nosed play is exactly what Archie Miller loves to have out of his guards, and putting the freshman, who had four steals against Gannon, next to Phinisee in the backcourt could be a lethal defensive backcourt this year and for the years to come.