Indiana Basketball: 3 takeaways from win vs Notre Dame

3. Backcourt remains inconsistent

Look, a win is a win, and come March and April, it doesn’t matter what the margin of victory is, so long as you win the game. The Hoosiers did that once again, for the third straight game.

First it was UConn, then it was Nebraska, and yesterday it was Notre Dame but one result remained constant; a win.

In all three wins, the Hoosiers looked less than stellar shooting a combined 41.6 percent from the field and 21.6 percent from three. The main reason for the lack of effectiveness was the inability for the guards to create their own.

While Devonte Green obviously has the ability to do so, his nagging injuries have attributed to 32 percent shooting (9-for-28) as well as his 18.7 percent from deep (3-for-16). As someone who can go off at any moment, and has the handles to get into the lane, his inconsistent play has been worrisome over the three game winning streak.

In addition to Green, Al Durham and Rob Phinisee have struggled to finish at the rim and create separation at any point. Outside of their performances against Nebraska, the duo have gone a combined 5-for-23 in the other two games, including a putrid 1-for-12 against Notre Dame.

In order to be the best version that this team can be, and as important as Trayce Jackson-Davis and Justin Smith are, it starts and ends with the platoon of guards at Archie Miller’s disposal.

With Arkansas coming to town next weekend, it will be a crucial moment of the season for the backcourt, and hopefully the start of more consistent outings from the three returning guards.