#4. Tamar Bates is blossoming in front of our eyes
Last season, “Scoop” Bates notched just three double-digit scoring games and already has three such games this season, including back-to-back performances of 19 points and 13 points off the bench.
The sophomore lefty is shooting 59.1 percent from the field (13-for-22) and 54.5 percent (6-for-11) from beyond the arc. Though he wasn’t hitting shots from deep, at times it seemed like Tamar Bates was Indiana’s only offensive presence.
Although Bates is getting more run and time with Jalen Hood-Schifino’s injury, the sophomore guard is earning more minutes with his shooting stroke and aggressiveness on offense. If Bates is scoring like this in conference play, the Hoosiers will be tough to beat.