Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: Four potential lineups after Justin Smith’s transfer

By Trevor Gersmehl

BLOOMINGTON, IN - FEBRUARY 23: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers brings the ball up court during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Assembly Hall on February 23, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - FEBRUARY 23: Justin Smith #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers brings the ball up court during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Assembly Hall on February 23, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Race Thompson, Indiana basketball
Race Thompson, Indiana basketball. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Better spacing

Rob Phinisee

Al Durham

Jerome Hunter

Race Thomspon

Trayce Jackson-Davis

Perhaps Archie Miller fancies having a slightly better floor spacing and athletic lineup than last season and decides to pair the ascending Race Thompson with Trayce Jackson-Davis in the starting frontcourt. Thompson improved so much last season and had the greatest plus/minus on the team by a long shot. His role will increase no matter what, and he could potentially even become a starter.

Jackson-Davis is by no means a power forward. He is a smaller-sized center, 100%, no questions about it. This lineup gives him a chance to play at his natural position which he didn’t get to do much last year.

Thompson is an athletic upgrade from Joey Brunk, but would still bring all the effort and rebounding Brunk does. A huge key is Thompson’s jump shot. If he can feel comfortable enough to shoot one or two threes per game, it will keep the floor spaced and the defense honest. His mechanics aren’t bad, he just needs some coaching, practice reps, and refinement. That alone would make this lineup more feasible.

If Thompson develops even a semi-reliable jump shot, it would eliminate many of the problems the Hoosiers had with Justin Smith. Teams would just abandon Smith to double the post, clog the lane, or rotate over to shooters, leaving very little opportunity for a good shot. If Thompson can develop his skills just enough to prevent that from happening, a whole world of opportunity opens up for Indiana.

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