#5. Xavier Johnson‘s injury hurts Indiana, but it gives an opportunity for Jalen Hood-Schifino & others
Around the nine-minute mark of the first half, Xavier Johnson turned the ball over on an out-of-control play offensively, then took it right back from Dajuan Harris Jr. and it looked like something happened to Johnson’s foot which left him grabbing his foot in major pain.
Johnson was helped off the floor and later returned to the bench in a boot and crutches. While it hurts the Hoosiers’ depth, experience, and defensive talent, it also opens up opportunities.
Both freshman guards, Jalen Hood-Schifino and CJ Gunn now may get more opportunities to run the offense for the starting group and bench group respectively with Johnson out of the rotation. Of course, once Johnson is healthy enough to come back to play, he will return to the starting lineup, but this gives these freshmen a chance to grow and learn against lesser-talented teams which will be beneficial come March.