Indiana basketball: Projected starting lineup and key players for 2022-23

Indiana basketball is less than 80 days away from tipping off the season against Morehead State on November 7th and Mike Woodson has the talent and players to win this season. Not to sound like an over-excited fan, but this is one of the most exciting seasons for Indiana basketball fans since 2016-17, where the Hoosiers were ranked in the preseason AP polls at 11, which is likely around the spot where they’ll be ranked for this upcoming preseason rankings.

The Hoosiers are one of a few programs that are returning most of their key starters and players for this upcoming season, despite losing Rob Phinisee (transferred to Cincinnati) and Parker Stewart (transferred back to UT Martin). Indiana basketball is bringing on two of the better recruits in the 2022 class in Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau, while also bringing back bench players like Jordan Geronimo, Trey Galloway, and Tamar Bates, who will be fighting freshman and others for playing time. The depth of the Hoosiers is going to be the strength that will keep them ahead of most other power conference programs this upcoming season.

Indiana basketball projected starting lineup for 2022-23

G – Xavier Johnson
G – Jalen Hood-Schifino
F – Miller Kopp
F – Race Thompson
F – Trayce Jackson-Davis

Indiana basketball key players for 2022-23

Trayce Jackson-Davis

TJD is one of the best big men in the country and is looking to improve his draft stock and his legacy in Bloomington as he looks to lead the program to one of the best seasons in quite some time. Jackson-Davis led Indiana basketball in points, rebounds, and blocks last season, and, if he can do most of the same with an added jump shot, look out for the Hoosiers to win a Big Ten title and make a run in March.

Race Thompson

Mr. Reliable has returned to the Indiana basketball program for his fifth and final year and looks to bring some firepower on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. When Thompson is aggressive on the offensive end, the Hoosiers have found success. Last season, when Race attempted more than two free throws, Indiana basketball was 10-3 (.769) and he averaged 12.7 points and 7.5 rebounds in those games.

Jalen Hood-Schifino

Here’s our five-star freshman that will actually make an impact immediately. He showed flashes of what he can do when he’s playing at 50.0% speed at the Hoosier Fan Fest last weekend, and going full speed, Hood-Schifino is in line to win Big Ten Freshman of the Year. His hard nose competitiveness and ability to create for others, and himself, makes him a standout to watch out for this season as he will land a starting spot over upperclassmen.

Tamar Bates

Last, but definitely not least, Tamar Bates comes into this season with a newfound passion and drive after the birth of his daughter in March. Another guy that showed glimpses of his work ethic and talent at the Hoosier Fan Fest, Bates comes in looking to steal a starting spot, or even just playing time, as the spark Indiana basketball is looking for off the bench.

Most championship contending teams have one of those guys off the bench (Remy Martin – Kansas); hopefully Bates can fill that role and show out for his daughter in his sophomore campaign.