Three Owls to study for Indiana basketball before Friday’s matchup

No. 18 Indiana basketball hopes to finish off 2022 with a dominant victory over Kennesaw State. Which Owls do the Hoosiers need to study before Friday?

Kennesaw State is coming off back-to-back victories and hopes to shock the country with a road win in Assembly Hall. The Owls have played against Florida (SEC) and San Diego State (MWC) this season.

Against the Gators, Kennesaw State put up a battle, falling on the road 88-78 thanks to a 20-point performance by Chris Youngblood. Facing the Aztecs, the Owls were dominated from the jump, losing 88-54, with only one player scoring in double digits.

Here are my three key Owls that the Hoosiers need to study to improve to 10-3 before the end of 2022:

Three Owls to study for #18 Indiana basketball before Friday

3. Brandon Stroud – Junior Guard – #5

2022-23 stats: 12 GP, 28.5 MIN, 10.5 PPG, 1.4 TOV, 34.7 FG%, 2.3 3PM, 32.9 3P%

Starting off his junior campaign, Brandon Stroud was averaging 10.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.4 three-pointers made per game on 46.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Owls began the season 4-1, with their only loss coming on the road against Florida.

In his last five games, Stroud is averaging only 5.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.4 three-pointers made per game on 18.2 percent from deep. Despite the struggle offensively, the Owls are still 4-1 in those games with their lone loss coming against San Diego State on the road.

Stroud has played six games in his career against major conference teams and averages just 4.5 points 35.7 percent shooting from the field. As long as Stroud doesn’t get hot early, the Hoosiers should be okay in this matchup.