Indiana men's basketball did what it needed to do to avoid the upset to open the season against Eastern Illinois, coasting to a win while getting just about everyone into the game in an opening effort that would be hard to complain about for a Hoosier fan.
As is usually the case in these kinds of games, things looked disjointed for moments, allowing the Panthers to keep it a little close for comfort, but the game was never really in jeopardy. Indiana never trailed and kept the lead to at least 20 points for most of the second half.
There's a limit to how much one can take from games against this level of competition, but Indiana impressed in its first official outing of Darian DeVries' second year as head coach.
Here were 3 observations from the win:
While the starting lineup will be subject to change, presumably, keeping Bryce Lindsey on the bench reveals that DeVries is placing an emphasis on getting downhill and creating looks at the rim as much as possible. This is a bit of a shift from what we saw last year.
As opposed to DeVries' first team at Indiana, this team has guys that will beat you off the dribble at a couple points in the lineup. Starting Jaeden Mustaf gives Indiana an initiator on the wing, while Aiden Sherrell can play with his back to or facing the basket.
Indiana actually went three possessions without its starting point guard, Markus Burton, initiating the offense. Once Mustaf had made the defense crowd the paint a bit, Burton had room for a pull up three, which he made for his first points as a Hoosier.
Perhaps because of how easily Indiana was able to get to the rim, it appears as though concerns as to this team's ability to score from deep may have been unfounded. For now.
Burton and Lindsey each made three triples, while freshman Trevor Manhertz hit two and Trent Sisley made one. Even without Makes from Sherrell or Darren Harris, guys who have proven they can heat up, Indiana went 9-24 on the night, roughly on par for the percentage last year's team hit at.
Because their roles are less defined, Indiana probably won't be able to count on Manhertz and Sisley to be consistent threats from deep. At least not both of them. Seeing Sherrell get four attempts up and Harris get three is a good sign of the mentality of this team though, one that will look to stretch teams when it can.
The only downside to tonight was the appearance of freshman Prince-Alexander Moody on crutches and what appeared to be a substantial brace on his leg. This would be a tough blow for Indiana. With so many resources directed towards rebuilding a frontcourt, the Hoosiers are a little thin in the backcourt, with just Burton, Lindsey, and Mustaf left as true ball-handlers.
On a night when the other two freshman got to check in to their first college games, this was a bit of a blow. Manhertz had the strongest night, but he's also at one of the more crowded positions on the roster as a power forward.
Staying healthy in the backcourt especially will be a key now in this early season.
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