Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: Lack of playmaker the silent killer for Hoosiers

By Trevor Gersmehl

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - DECEMBER 13: Archie Miller the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to his team against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on December 13, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - DECEMBER 13: Archie Miller the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to his team against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on December 13, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 10: Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers drives past Brendan Adams #10 of the Connecticut Huskies during the second half of their game at Madison Square Garden on December 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 10: Devonte Green #11 of the Indiana Hoosiers drives past Brendan Adams #10 of the Connecticut Huskies during the second half of their game at Madison Square Garden on December 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Devonte Green

Let’s contrast that breakdown with Indiana’s Devonte Green.

In a very similar offensive set as Winston was dealing with on the play we just went through, Green is given a screen to the left. He denies it before it reaches him (not an egregious decision).

Green has the advantage of a speed mismatch with his defender. He gets the edge on him and has him beat off the dribble. He has two corner shooters with potentially open looks. Al Durham’s man has completely abandoned him to cover a potential rim run by Trayce Jackson-Davis and dump-off to Justin Smith. Jackson-Davis doesn’t roll and therefore puts no pressure on the defense. Still, Green can get into the lane and have plenty of kick out options, and even Justin Smith waiting in the dunker’s spot on the block. That is the play that should be made.

Instead, Green pulls the ball out and goes into a step back. Jerome Hunter’s man is sagging off to stop the drive, and Durham’s man is even farther off than before, yet Green chooses to not pull the ball back out despite beating his man off the dribble. Justin Smith is potentially open as well if the ball gets to 15 feet.

Green pulls a tough contested step-back three and despite hitting the shot, he eaves far higher percentage shots on the table.

Whereas Winston is able to create for his teammates, Green looks far more to create for himself, as shown by the highlight, therefore creating a very stagnant offense at times when he has the ball.

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