Even without four-year starter Yogi Ferrell at point guard, Cream has
five talented options in the backcourt, with the initial focus on Josh
Newkirk, a transfer from Pittsburgh, and junior James Blackmon Jr., who
is returning from his third knee surgery. Thomas Bryant has the rugged,
versatile game to become the Big Ten’s best center, and Crean is
confident that two other sophomores — OG Anunoby and Juwan Morgan — will
develop into top-tier Big Ten winners.
Bryant shocked many by not considering a jump to the NBA, even though
he was discussed as a late first-round selection. After leading the Big
Ten in field goal percentage, Bryant has set goals of improving his
shooting range and becoming a better rebounder and defender. De’Ron
Davis, a freshman, will be Bryant’s backup as well as a power forward.
Anunoby projects as one of the most fascinating players in the
nation. Although he ranked ninth on IU in scoring and did not start a
game, Anunoby is seen as a first-round pick on several 2017 NBA mock
drafts because he contributed 26 blocks and 27 steals while averaging
less than 14 minutes per game. He’s also a 45 percent 3-point shooter
and a powerful finisher.
Morgan had offseason surgery to fix an uncooperative left shoulder
that popped out of place in all three of Indiana’s NCAA Tournament
games. Crean says he considers a healthy Morgan as valuable as an elite
recruit and plans to use him on the block and the perimeter, where he
made 5-of-11 3-point shots.
Collin Hartman, a senior, was the least acclaimed member of IU’s
six-player 2013 recruiting class. He is also the only one remaining from
that group, a classic glue guy who plays like a coach on the court.
Hartman played the final three games with a broken bone in his shooting
(right) arm. He is capable of playing either forward spot or off guard.
The mystery man is Freddie McSwain, a transfer from Neosho County
(Kan.) Community College. Primarily a football player in high school,
McSwain will arrive as the team’s top athlete but also a guy who needs
time with the coach IU players call “The Shot Doctor,” assistant Tim
Buckley.
Replacing Ferrell will require a group effort, and Crean has what the
coaching staff considers the most competitive mix of five players the
coach has collected in Bloomington. Newkirk practiced with the Hoosiers
last winter after transferring from Pittsburgh. He’s skilled in the open
court and as a defender, but there are questions about his ability to
score off the pick-and-roll as well as with his 38 percent shooting in
2014-15.
Crean does not need Newkirk to focus on 3-point shooting, though.
Blackmon and fellow junior Robert Johnson can do that. Both made better
than 44 percent of their attempts last season, with Blackmon averaging
nearly 16 points per game before suffering a knee injury in December.
For Blackmon, the job will be defensive improvement, while Johnson must
reduce his turnovers.
Three recruits provide depth. Curtis Jones is a former high school
teammate of Bryant. He’s a 3-point shooter who needs strength. Devonte
Green is another solid shooter and the younger brother of NBA guard
Danny Green. Grant Gelon projects as a situational shooter who is likely
two seasons away from contributing.
For the first time in five seasons, Tom Crean did not land a McDonald’s
All-American, but the class fits multiple needs. De’Ron Davis won two
Colorado state titles and has the inside-outside skills to play across
the frontcourt. Guards Curtis Jones and Devonte Green should fit
perfectly in Indiana’s 3-point attack, but one must develop as a point
guard. Freddie McSwain’s athleticism has been compared to Victor
Oladipo’s. Grant Gelon is a project.
The pieces are here for the Hoosiers to challenge in the Big Ten.
Bryant is a mature sophomore whose love of college basketball and the
chance to play in another NCAA Tournament helped bring him back to IU.
Blackmon could lead the Big Ten in scoring. Anunoby and Morgan are
large, versatile players who helped drive Indiana’s defensive
improvement last season.
Replacing Ferrell and the unpredictable Troy Williams will require
adjustments. The Hoosiers must continue to embrace the commitment to
defense they showed during conference play while also reducing
turnovers.
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