Indiana Basketball vs Ohio State: 3 keys to game

3. Devonte Green must show up

The most up-and-down player in recent memory for Indiana fans, Devonte Green is essential for Indiana’s success whether you want to hear it or not.

The senior guard has put together some incredible performances, headlined by his career-high 30 points earlier this year knocking off Florida State, but has also had five of his last seven games come with single-digit points.

Because the Indiana offense struggles to create easy shots in the half-court, Green is vital and quite honestly needs to be the answer. Despite his high turnover rate and disappointing shot selection at times, he is still the best shot maker for the Hoosiers.

Scoring 19 points against Ohio State in the first matchup, Green went 5-of-8 from the field, but more importantly 7-of-11 from the free-throw line. Because Ohio State’s guards are smaller than most, all being under 6-foot-3, it allows him to get his shot off without being too contested but also allows him to use his length and quickness to get int he lane and finish through contact, getting to the line at his highest rate this season.

In all but one of Green’s outings this season in which he scored more than 15 points, he reached the free-throw line at least two separate times, showing his aggressive nature going to the rim.

If Green settles for jumpers and fails to be the aggressive guard in the lane, then it will be another long afternoon for the Hoosiers. But if not, then Indiana will have a good chance at leaving Columbus with a win, and the season sweep.