Indiana Basketball: 3 reasons why Hoosiers’ start is no fluke

3. Depth

With four players already missing time this season due to injuries, the Hoosier have been able to work their way around it due to the depth that they have at nearly every position.

The biggest injury has been Rob Phinisee, however, and it has been felt over the past few games. Averaging 18.3 turnovers per game the last three outings without their starting point guard, Indiana has relied heavily on Al Durham, Devonte Green, and Armaan Franklin, all of whom have done a very solid job. With an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.4-to-1, while not exceptional, it is very serviceable, especially for non traditional ‘point guards’.

With Phinisee posting a 2.2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, and so far this year a 2-to-1 ratio, Phinisee will be a welcomed sight when he returns to the rotation.

In addition to the backcourt, it is the frontcourt that is extremely deep. As Archie Miller learned early in his tenure at Indiana, playing in the Big Ten means you need depth up front, and big bodies.

With the additions of Joey Brunk and Trayce Jackson-Davis this offseason, it gives Miller five big men to rotate through. With Race Thompson, a huge boost on the boards with his physical play, and De’Ron Davis off of the bench, those are two physical bodies that are extremely valuable to have as your third and fourth big man. Even if Davis sees less than 10 minutes a game, at 7.7 minutes currently, his 6-foot-10 and 250 pound frame will be valuable for spot minutes throughout the first half. Justin Smith played the stretch-four last year, and also has rotated in the lineup as a front court member.

With Justin Smith, starting on the wing, Jerome Hunter, Damezi Anderson and Armaan Franklin all seeing time on the wing, there is never going to be an issue with skill or ability. All four-star’s entering college, they all bring a different skillset to the table, something the coaching staff loves to utilize with different rotations.

Overall, with 10 players averaging over 10 minutes a game, and eight players averaging at least five points per game, there is no lack of depth or talent from top-to-bottom on the roster.