Can Jalen Hood-Schifino find his rhythm for Indiana in Minneapolis?

Jalen Hood-Schifino supplied a career-low two points for Indiana basketball against Michigan State on Sunday and spent most of the second half on the bench. Can he respond against Minnesota on Wednesday night?

After going through a six-game stretch where the freshman standout averaged 19.3 points on 55.0 percent shooting from the field and 53.8 percent from beyond the arc, along with 5.0 assists per game, Hood-Schifino has averaged just 6.0 points on 33.0 percent shooting from the field and has not made a three in his last two games, and is averaging just 3.5 assists and 3.0 turnovers.

While it’s expected of a freshman to go through these types of stretches during a season, Jalen Hood-Schifino seems just different and something seems to be off the standout from Montverde Academy. Especially for a kid that’s now being talked about as a potential first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

It seemed like against Illinois and Michigan State, he got hurt during the game. Possibly a finger dislocation against the Illini and then something with his leg or back in the game against the Spartans.

Though he didn’t come out of either of those games and get medical attention from the staff, maybe something was bothering him that wasn’t going to be addressed during games.

I did appreciate the coaching decision by Coach Woodson during the Michigan State game because though we need Hood-Schifino out on the floor, the best and most productive lineup in that game was Trey Galloway running point guard with Tamar Bates, Miller Kopp, Malik Reneau, and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Jalen Hood-Schifino Stat Line Prediction @ Minnesota

34 MIN | 18 PTS | 3 REB | 6 AST | 7/10 FG | 2/3 3PT | 2/3 FT | 2 TOV

Will we see a positive response from Jalen Hood-Schifino in Wednesday’s matchup against Minnesota? Does everything need to fall back onto the shoulders of Trayce Jackson-Davis?