Indiana Basketball: Al Durham finding his groove at the right time

The Indiana basketball junior guard has been back to playing great basketball after a bit of a rough stretch, right as Big Ten play kicks into gear.

After last season, Al Durham had high expectations coming into this year and was expected to not only make a jump up in his scoring, but also his leadership. As the season got underway however, he was asked to do even more as a ball handler and point guard for this team. So far, the junior guard has exceeded those expectations.

Scoring in double-digits in the first four games to start the season, Durham was averaging 16.8 points per game. After a bit of inconsistent play in the next four games, averaging just 8.5 points on just 41 percent from the field, Durham seemed too focused on being that main ball handler with Rob Phinisee out of the lineup, putting too much pressure on himself.

Now, with Phinisee back on the court and assuming that responsibility, it has given Durham more freedom to be the player that he is.

Averaging 13.3 points per game over his last three games, his aggressiveness and big shot ability have come back from the start of the season. Whether it be his 17 points and being the lone Hoosier to show up against Wisconsin, big shot after big shot down the stretch against UConn, a game in which he led the Hoosiers with nine points, or the ability to make shots and stretch the floor with 14 points against Nebraska, his offensive game has returned at the right time.

With the heart of Big Ten play about to get rolling, Durham’s role will be even more important. As Trayce Jackson-Davis has cemented himself as the go-to player for the Hoosiers, and Justin Smith turning into the top-60 recruit he was out of high school, the backcourt is in need of some consistency.

With both Devonte Green and Rob Phinisee missing time this year, rotations and lineups have been made on the fly, as game plans have been altered. As Devonte Green’s status is up in the air, although Indiana having some much-needed time off coming up, finding a consistent scoring option in the backcourt is what has been missing this year for the Hoosiers.

Before long, I fully expect Rob Phinisee to be reinserted back into the starting lineup playing alongside Durham, a move that will only continue to benefit him down the stretch.

Either way, Durham has found his confidence again and becoming that consistent option for Indiana is something that will be crucial for the Hoosiers moving forward.