Indiana Basketball vs Florida State: 3 matchups to watch

2. Al Durham vs Trent Forrest

It’s the battle of the backcourt and starting ‘point guards’. While neither team has a true point guard on the roster, with Rob Phinisee most likely out again, this matchup of the ball handlers will be one to watch all night long.

For Al Durham, someone who has been asked to do a lot more when it comes to orchestrating the offense and getting others involved, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing in terms of keeping the ball out of opponents’ hands.

After having just seven turnovers in the first five games of the season, Durham has matched that same amount in just the past two games. In the same time frame, Durham’s assists have fallen nearly one per game from three to two. What was the main reason for the inconsistent ball handling duties for Durham? The pressure, sometimes full court, from Louisiana Tech especially, and South Dakota State. What does Florida State live and die by? Its pressure.

Trent Forrest is probably one of the most underappreciated players in the country and has been for most of his career. The senior guard is averaging 1.7 steals per game for his career and consistently disrupts guards’ shooting ability with his size and length.

Against Florida, Forrest forced Gators point guard Andrew Nembhard into four turnovers to just three assists, and a 2-for-7 night from the field. With Florida State’s ability to switch screens too, he helped force Noah Locke to a 1-for-11 night as well. Against Tennessee, he spent most of his time on Josiah-Jordan James, who had five turnovers and just one assist, going 2-for-6 form the field.

While Forrest is also averaging 12.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game this season, his ability to get into Al Durham could be the matchup that ultimately decides the game.