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Indiana basketball: Ranking the top 15 team frontcourts for 2022-23

By Connor O’Keefe

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 27: Trayce Jackson-Davis #23 celebrates a play on court with Race Thompson #25 of the Indiana Hoosiers against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half of the game at Williams Arena on February 27, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hoosiers defeated the Golden Gophers 84-79. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 27: Trayce Jackson-Davis #23 celebrates a play on court with Race Thompson #25 of the Indiana Hoosiers against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half of the game at Williams Arena on February 27, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hoosiers defeated the Golden Gophers 84-79. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 19: Jarace Walker #25 of IMG Academy goes up for a dunk against Fort Myers High School during the City of Palms Classic Day 2 at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on December 19, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Cougars . 13. team. 450. . .

J’Wan Roberts, 6’7″ 230lbs, Redshirt Junior Forward
2021-22 Stats: 3.2 pts/g, 4.9 reb/g, 17.7 PER

Jarace Walker, 6’8″ 235lbs, Freshman Forward
2022 5-star prospect: #11 ranked nationally, #2 ranked PF

Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars’ program has typically run a starting five with basically three or four forwards that can be included in the “frontcourt”, but not this upcoming season. Houston will be led by Naismith Player of the Year candidate, Marcus Sasser, and anchored by experienced forward J’Wan Roberts, and, in my opinion, the best incoming freshman in the country in Jarace Walker. Houston is losing its frontcourt from last season, Fabian White Jr., and Josh Carlton, that led them to the Elite Eight in 2021-22.

As much as it hurts to say, Sampson and the Cougars will be competing for a title this season and his frontcourt mates will play the biggest role in that. In last season’s Elite Eight matchup with Villanova, Roberts filled in for White Jr., who only managed two points, and recorded seven points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.

Comparing to the Indiana basketball frontcourt

The experience factor plays a huge role when comparing to the Hoosiers again, as TJD and Thompson can handle both Roberts and Walker on the defensive side of things, but will need to be able to score against the Cougars frontcourt to dominate. Though size-wise they matchup well, TJD and Thompson’s offensive prowess will prevail through the Cougars’ tough defensive frontcourt.

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