Indiana Basketball: 3 things to watch for in final month of season

2. Which Guard Steps Up Consistently

There is no question that the fault of this team comes from the backcourt, and with the inconsistent play from the four guards, the only way the Hoosiers make the NCAA Tournament is if the quartet of guards steps up.

Starting with Devonte Green, the senior guard has been the most inconsistent player for the Hoosiers all season. Headlined by a 30-point performance in one of the best wins by any team this year against Florida State, he also has seven of his last 13 games coming with less than 10 points, including four games with less than four points.

For Green, it has not only been his decision-making, which has hurt him for most of his career, but it is his poor shot selection that has doomed him. Shooting just 31.6 percent from the field in the past eight games, his inability to find the bottom of the net, and more often than not, take poor shots has increased the inefficiencies of the Indiana offense. Despite all of this, with his ability to make shots and get hot in a second, the Hoosiers need him to continue to see the court and see if he can get going.

As for the one guard who I think can be that consistent piece for the Hoosiers, Rob Phinisee is and has been stepping up lately. Outside of his, and the entire IU roster’s performance against Penn State, he has scored nine or more points in five of the six other games, averaging 9.3 points in those six outings.

When Indiana’s offense is in its best rhythm and clicking, Phinisee is going downhill and very active in getting in the paint. Despite missing a lot of easy ones at the rim, his ability to draw two defenders in the paint allows for either Joey Brunk or Trayce Jackson-Davis to get the rebound putback.

While it would be great to have consistent performances from Al Durham and Armaan Franklin, Durham just hasn’t proven he can be that guy through two and a half years and those consistent performances aren’t something to expect from a freshman.