2018-19 IU Basketball Preview

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 | SECTION F

INDIANA

2018-19 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Inside Morgan on a mission | PAGE F3 Price: Living up to the hype | PAGE F8 Meet the IU men | PAGE F10 Big Ten men’s capsules | PAGE F16 Meet the IU women | PAGE F20

HOO HOO HOO !

S R E I S HOO Love IU?

Show off your Hoosier pride with our official IU Athletics Mastercard® Debit Cards available exclusively IU Credit Union!

View all six designs at

www.iucu.org

We started a credit union and created a community.

Federally insured by NCUA HT-556330-1

812-855-7823 • iucu.org

IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW | THE HERALD-TIMES | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | F3

MORGAN ON A MISSION Indiana senior takes on mentor role as he looks to bookend career with Big Ten title, NCAA appearance

By Mike Miller

R

mmiller@heraldt.com

omeo Langford, Robert Phinisee and Damezi Anderson were still barnstorming with the Indiana All-Stars. Jerome Hunter and Jake Forrester, too, weren’t due on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus for another few days.

Juwan Morgan, meanwhile, was already planning ahead.

It was only the first week of June, but Indiana’s senior forward had

March on his mind. So he picked up his phone, drafted an impassioned text message and sent it to members of IU’s incoming freshman class.

Langford, Phinisee, Anderson, Hunter and Forrester are a heralded bunch, a group of prospects fueling expectations for the most anticipated IU basketball season in SEE MORGAN | PAGE F4

Pizza | Pasta | Calzones | Sandwiches | Salads | Italian Dinners Gluten-Free Menu | Beer & Wine | Dine In | Carryout | Delivery

Over 50 Gluten-Free Menu Items

Now Available @ Bucceto’s

We’re #1... again!

Best Pizza. Best Italian. Best Lunch.

Best Catering. Best Vegetarian.

Says the Herald Times Readers’ Choice

Come celebrate with us!

3 ff

$

your bill of 10 or more

$

Don’t feel like going out? Call for delivery!

East 3rd St next to Starbucks | 812-331-1234 West 3rd across from Kroger | 812-323-0123 Columbus in The Commons | 812-348-7600

CHRIS HOWELL | HERALD-TIMES

Indiana forward Juwan Morgan urges the crowd on in the final minutes against Maryland at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Jan. 22.

Not valid with other offers Excludes alcohol | Dine In or Carryout Expires 12-31-18

HT-566258-1

See our menu at Buccetos.com

F4 | | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | THE HERALD-TIMES | IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW

MORGAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE F3

five years. In his text, Morgan wanted them to know he’d be a pillar they could lean on.

Early in his college career, Morgan appreciated the way older teammates had welcomed and comforted him, especially while the first couple months of the 2015-16 campaign found him grasping for a role. For the last crop of newcomers he’d work with in Bloomington, Morgan wished to provide the same reassuring presence.

At the same time, Morgan made something else very clear in his text to the freshmen. Expectations are high for good reasons, and no one has higher expectations than his own.

“I just told them what they were going to be expecting coming in, that they have pride to uphold,” Morgan said.

“I was just letting them know what they were really getting themselves into.”

The end is no more than four months away for Morgan, who wants to leave college much as he entered — with a Big Ten title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

He didn’t come to IU to sit idle in March, and the past two seasons haven’t been easy to digest.

Approaching his final season, which begins with tonight’s 6:30 contest against Chicago State, Morgan is driven to propel Indiana back to the postseason and capture the conference crown his program proudly wore at the end of his first year in Bloomington.

To realize those objectives, Morgan has created the standard for others to meet.

“Having him as a guy I think that everyone looks at that CHRIS HOWELL | HERALD-TIMES they can rely on, they can count on, is very important,” IU Indiana’s Juwan Morgan (13) congratulates teammate De’Ron Davis (20) after Davis won a battle for the rebound against coach Archie Miller said. “The more guys that kind of go Notre Dame in the Crossroads Classic on Dec. 16, 2017, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. with him, the better chance that we have at being a team that can hopefully reach its potential.”

Morgan’s year-by-year statistics Last year’s production — 16.5 points per game, 7.4 Year GP Min 3PFG AFG FT O-Reb RPG PPG rebounds per contest and a 57.9 shooting percentage from 17-18 31 29.4 16-53 195-337 106-168 84-228 7.4 16.5 the field — turned Morgan into Indiana’s best player and Chili Dogs • Chicago Dogs • Veggie 16-17 32 22.6 10-40 86-157 65- 88 65-178 5.6 7.7 one of the most improved players in the country.

Dogs • Foot Longs • Nachos All of it was important work for a team that needed Pulled Pork • Italian Beef 15-16 30 9.1 5-11 21- 41 24- 30 23- 64 2.1 2.4 HOT Pork Tenderloin DOGS every bit of the help. Yet, just as important was the push Totals 93 23.0 31-104 302-535 195-286 172-470 5.1 8.9 Morgan provided behind the scenes.

3860 W. 3RD ST. Next to Big Lots | Dine-in • Take Out | (812) 330-6888 Summer Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:30am - 4pm Fri/Sat 10:30am - 9pm.

It’s a push that continues today.

Morgan’s career highs Menu: www.naughtydoghotdogs.com The Missouri native likes to push buttons with his Points: 34, vs. Notre Dame at Indianapolis (12/16/17) teammates, and he’s been doing it since he was a freshRebounds: 12, at Minnesota (1/6/18) man in 2015. Back then, while Morgan was still an underBlocks: 5, vs. Illinois (2/14/18) classman, he’d challenge Yogi Ferrell and Troy Williams to matchups of one-on-one, refusing to back down to players with more than twice his experience.

That self-assured approach — that mindset — carried aughty og into games, too, allowing Morgan to assert himself as a key role player during IU’s run to an outright Big Ten title Offer available 4pm - 9pm Friday - Saturday All Day Sunday during the second half of the 2015-16 season.

“I’ve not deferred to anybody,” Morgan said, “regardless of who they are or what the name is across the jersey.”

Morgan’s intensity has only amplified this offseason, 1 large fry & 2 drinks - $15.99 as he’s pushed those around him to improve in their roles and help IU return to the NCAA Tournament.

Morgan does so in a way that is equal parts motivational Not valid with any other offer. Equal or lesser value. Expires 12/15/18.

N aughty D og LET’S GO HOOSIERS!

N

D

DINNER DEAL

HT-556385-1

– 4 SIGNATURE DOGS – Dine-in Take Out

HT-562388-1

SEE MORGAN | PAGE F6

HT-562321-1

F6 | | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | THE HERALD-TIMES | IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW

MORGAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE F4

CHRIS HOWELL | HERALD-TIMES

Indiana’s Juwan Morgan drives against Purdue’s Isaac Haas during a Jan. 28 game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.

Heating – Cooling – Plumbing Residential – Commercial

HT-556423-1

Let’s hea at up the Court (812) 339-2579 www.harrell-fish.com

and endearing, challenging teammates on the court and in the locker room.

“Juwan is Juwan,” sophomore guard Al Durham said.

“He’s gonna sit there and be Juwan. Him just being him pushes everybody and makes everyone around him better. So we have to come along on his coat tail, amp up the energy and stay at his level.”

With Morgan, there are a few favorite targets.

He’s been needling junior De’Ron Davis since the two were AAU competitors in middle school, telling the center that he can’t guard him.

Bouncy sophomore Justin Smith is quiet, so Morgan prods him to speak up.

Then there’s redshirt freshman Race Thompson, who Morgan sees as a younger version of himself. “Race is a lot like me,” Morgan said, “just being a tough, undersized forward that just does whatever needs to be done to win the game.”

The same can be said about Morgan’s approach to development. He does what needs to be done to grow.

“You look at him every year and he pretty much has controlled what he could control,” former IU teammate Robert Johnson said. “He grew every year and the more he played, the more he developed. He’s stayed true to his strengths and the things that he was good at. In the offseason, he’s worked on his weaknesses and I think every year he came back a little bit better.”

In declaring for the NBA Draft after last season, Morgan was afforded opportunities to work out for teams and receive feedback on where his game might expand. His shooting from distance could stand to improve, so in recent months, Morgan went about adding a more consistent shot to his toolbox.

Since the start of May, Morgan has taken 1,000 perimeter shots a day, shooting both off the catch and off the dribble. It’s not necessarily something that will become a staple of Morgan’s game, which will remain focused on helping IU run its offense through the paint. But Morgan wants opponents — and scouts — to know that his ability to shoot from 3-point range exists, particularly after making only 16 of his 53 attempts there last year.

“He made sure that every single day he went to the gym to be able to improve that part of his game,” said Rodney Perry, Morgan’s former AAU coach with MoKan Elite.

All the while, Morgan has taken his co-captaincy with Zach McRoberts just as seriously as his own on-court development. Growing as a person has been just as important toward getting Morgan to where he is today.

Leadership is part of his pedigree. His parents both spent their careers serving in the U.S. Army, with his mother, Jacquelyn, rising to the rank of master sergeant.

As a youngster, Morgan would wake in the darkness of the early morning and take off on runs with soldiers, relishing the camaraderie he found in those physical training sessions and the chance to tag along with mom.

From an early age, Morgan saw up close what it was to be disciplined, tough and driven by firm leadership.

In doing so, he learned lessons that he carries with him today.

CHRIS HOWELL | HERALD-TIMES

Indiana’s Juwan Morgan (13) slams home two of his career-high 34 points against Notre Dame on Dec. 16, 2017.

Although he’s never been shy, actually asserting himself as a leader at Indiana took time.

“Early on, he was immature,” Perry said. “He’s really just matured quite a bit. He’s taken way more responsibility and accountability for his actions.”

That seemed to start in earnest in 2017, when IU switched coaches. During the transition from Tom Crean to Archie Miller, Morgan realized his voice was one that would have to be heard.

As one of the oldest, most experienced players on the roster, Morgan knew it was his time to step forward. With the Hoosiers struggling in January, he saw his chance to raise his voice.

“Toward the middle of last year, that’s when it was really needed because we were kind of falling apart a little bit as a team,” Morgan said. “We just needed that consistent leadership and I just believed it was my job to take over.”

The takeover happens in many forms. If Morgan senses a lull in practice, he speaks up and demands more communication. If he senses a teammate needs a boost, he calls them out and pushes them to be better.

“He’s on a mission,” McRoberts said. “He’s obviously a good leader, vocally and then by example. He’s been good for us.”

As his college career nears its end, winning is at the forefront of Morgan’s mind. This season can’t end like the past two.

He wants another Big Ten title, and winning one would allow him to join Ferrell as the only two Hoosiers to claim multiple conference championships since the turn of the century.

He also wants to lead Indiana on another NCAA Tournament run. It’s something Morgan admits to obsessing over, a pursuit that drives him to raise the efforts of those around him.

“I would think I failed my teammates if we don’t get back to the tournament,” Morgan said. “I would believe that I didn’t do what I had to do as a leader, bringing it out of everybody so that we may get back to the tournament.”

WATCH ALL YOUR FAVORITE

IU SPORTS WITH US!

SINCE 1984

BRING THIS IN AND $ SAVE 5 $ OFF 25 Limit one (1) coupon per party per visit.

This coupon may not be combined with any other offer. Cannot be copied or sold. Offer good for $5 off $25 (not including alcoholic beverages, tax or gratuity). Dine in only.

Expires 12/31/18.

SEASON SPECIALS

• SUNDAYS - 1/2 OFF APPS, $3.50 34OZ DOMESTICS, $3.00 BLOODY MARY & MIMOSAS • MONDAYS - $1.99 BOTTLES • TUESDAYS - $2.99 PINTS

• WEDNESDAYS - PITCHER SPECIALS & 1/2 OFF WINE • THURSDAYS - $5.00 34OZ DOMESTICS & $6.00 34OZ CRAFTS • FRIDAYS - 1/2 OFF WINE • SATURDAYS - $4.00 BEER RITAS

110 N WALNUT STREET BLOOMINGTON, IN www.OPIETAYLORS.com | (812) 333-7287 HT-556333-1

CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES FOR WEEKLY SPECIALS & MORE!

F8 | | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | THE HERALD-TIMES | IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW

IU aims to prove the hype has some substance The hype machine has been turned up to high.

There’s no way you haven’t felt it.

Since Romeo Langford committed and Juwan Morgan returned, the decibel level has been steadily growing from a hum in the background to a thumping bass that you can feel vibrating in your chest.

The most anticipated Indiana men’s basketball season since 2012-13 is about to begin.

To compare the two teams beyond the Jeremy Price sense of anticipation, H-T SPORTS however, is pure folly.

WRITER Then, Indiana had three seniors and three juniors providing an experience base around which sophomore Cody Zeller and freshman Yogi Ferrell could work.

Now, Indiana has eight freshmen or sophomores, plus a grad transfer, to get acclimated.

Archie Miller is in just his second season coaching these Hoosiers, and now we’ll start to find out what an Archiecoached team might look like.

Don’t expect it to be a finished product, no matter what the score might be in the forthcoming introductory pair of cupcakes — Chicago State and Montana State.

The games that follow, against Marquette and Arkansas, will be more filling, then two more guarantee games at home before things get serious with a trip to Duke ahead of Big Ten games against Northwestern and Penn State prior to Louisville and Butler.

If the Hoosiers stub a toe along the way, there’s no reason to fret.

If anything, some checks and balances are exactly what this Indiana team will need.

That said, it’s still far too easy to put the cart ahead of the cream and crimson horse.

There’s talk of Big Ten championships or Elite Eights, or if you listen to the most optimistic whisperers, maybe that elusive sixth banner.

While nothing is out of the realm of possibility, especially in the transient world of college basketball as it currently exists, the Hoosiers must establish a team of substance.

Leave the hype to the fans seated on the wooden bleachers or those of us sitting on the thrones of judgment better

GO HOOSIERS! MR. HIBACHI MR HT-557170-1

GRILL & BUFFET

10% OFF BUFFET

DINE IN ONLY. EXCLUDES HOLIDAYS. NOT AVAILABLE FOR CRAB LEG SPECIAL OR DELIVERY. NO COMBINED OFFERS • EXPIRES 12/31/18

Gift Certificates Available!

Delivery Available!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! SUN-THUR. 11-9:30 • FRI-SAT. 11-10:30 4400 E. 3RD - BLOOMINGTON

812-339-6288

known as press row.

Indiana must rely on meat and potatoes — sound defense, an attacking offense and unselfishness all around to get to the only place that matters — the NCAA Tournament.

That’s a place IU hasn’t been since 2015, and you can’t win a tournament you aren’t in.

There’s no reason not to expect the Hoosiers to make a triumphant return to the NCAA stage, but that’s the place this Indiana team must start to reestablish a foundation of winning and success.

Then IU must do it again next year, and the year after that. It’s not enough to have one superb season every three or four years, then hit the reset button.

Teams that reach elite status, a place Indiana once occupied and aspires to return to again, find that winning breeds winning.

That’s when teams of which little is expected overachieve and teams with plenty of hype find a way to be more than the sum of their flashy parts.

With a little luck, a lot of patience and JEREMY HOGAN | HERALD-TIMES just the right attitude, the 2018-19 Hoo- Indiana freshman Romeo Langford waves to the siers just might turn out to be the latter. crowd during introduction at Hoosier Hysteria Sports writer Jeremy Price can be reached at 812-331-4342 or jprice@heraldt.com.

on Sept. 29. Langford was one of the top-rated recruits in the nation.

2017-18 Indiana men’s statistics (16-15, 9-9 Big Ten)

GP GS Min. Avg. FGM FGA Pct. 3PA 3PM Pct. FTM FTA Pct. Pts Avg. OR DR Rebs Avg. PF Ast TO Stl Blk Juwan Morgan 31 30 912 29.4 195 337 .579 16 53 .302 106 168 .631 512 16.5 84 144 228 7.4 77 47 51 37 44 Robert Johnson 31 31 1060 34.2 156 365 .427 66 177 .373 57 81 .704 435 14.0 6 133 139 4.5 64 84 76 25 6 De’Ron Davis 15 15 282 18.8 56 91 .615 0 0 .000 32 64 .500 144 9.6 27 37 64 4.3 37 16 12 12 22 Devonte Green 31 12 697 22.5 80 220 .364 33 98 .337 43 61 .705 236 7.6 9 51 60 1.9 33 76 59 32 6 Josh Newkirk 31 24 721 23.3 73 193 .378 29 95 .305 46 57 .807 221 7.1 12 53 65 2.1 56 86 57 15 8 Justin Smith 31 9 463 14.9 82 149 .550 3 10 .300 33 49 .673 200 6.5 43 55 98 3.2 58 7 34 7 10 Aljami Durham 31 9 583 18.8 47 115 .409 14 49 .286 40 56 .714 148 4.8 5 54 59 1.9 57 39 25 11 4 Freddie McSwain 31 8 453 14.6 45 101 .446 0 1 .000 40 70 .571 130 4.2 60 80 140 4.5 59 16 28 10 18 Collin Hartman 23 0 354 15.4 35 95 .368 16 66 .242 11 16 .688 97 4.2 19 43 62 2.7 44 23 11 9 4 Curtis Jones 7 0 80 11.4 7 26 .269 4 18 .222 3 4 .750 21 3.0 1 8 9 1.3 2 3 2 3 2 Zach McRoberts 28 17 613 21.9 27 63 .429 13 33 .394 11 16 .688 78 2.8 35 60 95 3.4 66 33 18 37 4 Clifton Moore 9 0 43 4.8 3 12 .250 0 2 .000 0 0 .000 6 0.7 2 6 8 0.9 6 2 2 1 6 Tim Priller 4 0 4 1.0 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 1 2 .500 1 0.3 0 2 2 0.5 1 0 0 0 0 Quentin Taylor 1 0 2 2.0 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 1 0 0 0 Johnny Jager 6 0 7 1.2 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 1 2 0 0 0 Ethan Lasko 1 0 1 1.0 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 31 6275 202.4 806 1767 .456 194 602 .322 423 644 .657 2229 71.90 345 754 1099 35.5 562 435 386 199 134 Opponents 31 6275 202.4 773 1752 .441 235 640 .367 397 564 .704 2178 70.26 314 740 1054 34.0 588 404 417 201 124

2017-18 Indiana women’s statistics (23-14, 9-7 Big Ten)

GP GS Min. Avg. FGM FGA Pct. 3PA 3PM Pct. FTM FTA Pct. Pts Avg. OR DR Rebs Avg. PF Ast TO Stl Blk Tyra Buss 37 37 1479 40.0 254 599 .424 75 226 .332 180 259 .695 763 20.6 16 94 110 3.0 84 174 126 77 4 Amanda Cahill 37 37 1407 38.0 207 425 .487 78 194 .402 71 84 .845 563 15.2 113 182 295 8.0 103 103 83 55 52 Jaelynn Penn 37 37 1279 34.6 141 336 .420 47 131 .359 71 86 .826 400 10.8 22 161 183 4.9 100 77 111 38 12 Kym Royster 37 37 1045 28.2 157 280 .561 0 0 .000 64 95 .674 378 10.2 88 134 222 6.0 112 20 84 17 21 Bendu Yeaney 36 36 1262 35.1 102 275 .371 28 71 .394 72 101 .713 304 8.4 17 163 180 5.0 114 79 74 41 18 Keyanna Warthen 36 1 400 11.1 35 92 .380 9 26 .346 10 24 .417 89 2.5 12 39 51 1.4 31 22 39 13 3 Linsey Marchese 36 0 432 12.0 24 49 .490 0 0 .000 11 27 .407 59 1.6 25 42 67 1.9 59 2 18 7 13 Bre Wickware 32 0 229 7.2 13 33 .394 3 7 .429 8 12 .667 37 1.2 12 41 53 1.7 24 13 15 11 4 Alexis Johnson 6 0 11 1.8 1 2 .500 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 2 0.3 1 1 2 0.3 2 0 1 0 2 Grace Withrow 6 0 6 1.0 0 1 .000 0 1 .000 0 0 .000 0 0.0 0 1 1 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 Total 37 7550 204.1 934 2092 .446 240 656 .366 487 688 .708 2595 70.14 366 918 1284 34.7 630 490 562 259 129 Opponents 37 7550 204.1 925 2197 .421 200 645 .310 417 584 .714 2467 66.68 418 878 1296 35.0 680 468 553 278 147

RECLINING SOFA oonly $

only $

588

488

www.LIVINGROOMCENERONLINE.com CENERONLINE

ADJUSTABLE BEDS NOW IN STOCK

LIVING ROOM CENTER HT-556707-1

18 MONTHS FREE FINANCING

5 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU

BEDFORD - Located just off Hwy 37 on Hwy 58 (812) 275-0888 BLOOMINGTON - Just off 46 Bypass on Arlington Rd (812) 332-7142 LINTON - Corner of 54 & Main Street (812) 847-1100

PAOLI - 4 miles east of Paoli on highway 150 (812) 723-3719 WASHINGTON - Located just off 50 east behind Knepps Restaurant

Open Since 1987

FREE DELIVERY! FREE DELIVERY! FREE DELIVERY! FREE DELIVERY!

F10 | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | THE HERALD-TIMES | IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW

MEET THE 2018-19 IU MEN 0

Romeo Langford

Class: Freshman. Height: 6-6. Weight: 215.

High school (hometown): New Albany (New Albany, Ind.) Key stats: Scored 3,002 points in high school, finishing his New Albany career as the fourth-leading scorer in Indiana high school history. For his career, Langford averaged 28.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 2.9 assists and 2.2 blocks while shooting 56 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range.

Outlook: The most heralded recruit to sign with Indiana since Cody Zeller in 2010, Langford brings the kind of natural, prolific scoring ability this program needs. A likely one-and-done prospect, Langford started his college career by adding 12 pounds of muscle during a six-week span this summer. That strength fortifies what is already a strong around-the-basket skill set for Langford. But make no mistake, Langford can score at every level on the floor. He and Juwan Morgan will form one of the most potent offensive duos in the country, making each other — and those around them — better in the process. With Morgan as his sidekick, Langford won’t solely shoulder the burden of making the offense tick. Still, there will be points when, with the ball in his hands, he’ll be expected to do exactly that. Langford also has the length to make an impact defensively, as well.

Though whatever he adds on that end of the floor will be a bonus to what he gives in so many other areas. Langford, the 27th Indiana Mr. Basketball to play for IU, has earned praise for his humility since arriving on campus.

1 AJ Bowlen

www.ajbowlen.com 812-345-3712

“Personal. Professional. Service.”

GO # HOOSIERS!

Al Durham

Class: Sophomore. Height: 6-4. Weight: 181.

High school (hometown): Berkmar (Lilburn, Ga.).

Key stats: Averaged 4.8 points with 39 assists while averaging 18.8 minutes per game as a freshman. Durham started nine of the 31 games in which he appeared.

Outlook: The Georgia native will be among three players to see time at point guard early this season. As a freshman in 2017, Durham demonstrated a high basketball IQ at the position, committing only two turnovers in his first six games. Not only that, he brings the kind of size and length that made him one of the steadiest defenders IU had in last year’s backcourt. As a freshman, the strength of Durham’s offensive game was his ability to get to the basket and draw fouls while doing so. His free throw rate — which measures the ability to get to the line using the number of free throws shot per 100 field goal attempts — of 48.7 was the highest among IU guards last season. To begin taking the next step as a sophomore — and claim some of the available minutes at point guard — the lefthander must become a more consistent shooter. Durham shot just 14-for-49 from beyond the arc last year.

IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW | THE HERALD-TIMES | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | F11

3

4

Jake Forrester

Class: Junior. Height: 6-0. Weight: 185.

High school (hometown): South (Bloomington, Ind.) Key stats: Appeared in six games, playing a total of seven minutes.

Outlook: After a transfer-mandated redshirt year during the 2016-17 campaign, Jager saw brief game action last season. Jager made his IU debut against Iowa, then posted one assist each against Youngstown State and Minnesota. The Bloomington South product was an Academic All-Big Ten selection.

.

Class: Freshman.

Height: 6-8. Weight: 218 High school (hometown): Westtown (Harrisburg, Pa.) Key stats: A former three-star recruit, Forrester averaged 12.2 points and 9.0 rebounds as a senior at his prep school.

Outlook: Archie Miller describes Forrester as a “live wire” during practice, where his energy has caught the attention of his new coaches and teammates. Miller likes the way Forrester challenges shots as a defender and how he wills his way to the glass with the ball in his hands. Growth will come when he hones his technique to better challenge the physical, yet skilled, big men he’ll come across as the regular season continues. As he works on that, Forrester’s fearless style should allow him to find minutes during the non-conference season, at least.

Class: Sophomore. Height: 6-7. Weight: 227.

High school (hometown): Adlai Stevenson (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) Key stats: Averaged 6.5 points and shot 55 percent from the floor, starting nine games and playing in all 31 contests as a freshman.

Outlook: Outside of Romeo Langford and Juwan Morgan, Indiana could use a reliable third scorer.

Smith may be the most likely candidate to fill that role. He came on strong at the end of last year, averaging 15.0 points and 4.5 rebounds across the final four games of the regular season. He carried that momentum into the offseason, recording a programrecord max vertical of 48 inches during a training session on July 20. That shattered the previous mark of 42 inches held by former IU All-American Victor Oladipo. Archie Miller wants Smith to better use that athleticism in Year 2. To earn the trust of IU’s coaching staff and earn the starter’s minutes that will be available to him, Smith has to become a more assertive player on both ends of the floor. He has to play meaner and more aggressive around the rim. Most of all, he has to finish, whether that’s with a key rebound or with the ball in the paint. Smith also needs to show he’s willing and able to take and make the open shot after going merely 3-for-10 from beyond the arc as a newcomer. Few in the Big Ten can match Smith’s athleticism. Rounding it into a more productive skill set will be the key for Smith.

5

Quentin Taylor

Class: Senior. Height: 6-2. Weight: 185.

High school (hometown): Brebeuf (Indianapolis) Key stats: Has appeared in 15 total games during his three seasons.

Outlook: The walk-on saw the floor in only one game last year, dishing one assist in two minutes against Youngstown State.

Catch Every Hoosier Game With Danny Boy Draft Works IU!

Wall to Wall 65” HDTVs UPSTAIRS and DOWNSTAIRS

Game Day Drink Specials, Full Menu Available Open Early for European Football and NFL

HT-556785-1

2

Johnny Jager

Justin Smith

208 S Dunn Street, Bloomington • 812- 822-3033

F12 | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | THE HERALD-TIMES | IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW

10

Rob Phinisee

Class: Freshman. Height: 6-1. Weight: 182.

High school (hometown): McCutcheon (Lafayette).

Key stats: Averaged 29.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.7 steals as a high school senior.

Outlook: Phinisee can already be credited with one big assist after helping IU land Romeo Langford as the crown jewel of Archie Miller’s first full recruiting class. Phinisee, the first Lafayette native to join IU’s program on scholarship since Bob Masters and Charlie Vaughn in 1948, is a contender for starting minutes at the point entering his first season. He took on a do-it-all role for McCutcheon as a senior, filling a scoring need in addition to everything else required from his position. With a well-rounded skill set, Phinisee has the potential to give IU the kind of point guard play it has lacked in recent seasons. With his weight in the 180-185-pound range, Phinisee has the size to compete defensively this season. More than anything, Miller has been impressed with Phinisee’s intelligence and basketball IQ. Although Phinisee will split minutes with Devonte Green and Al Durham early this season, he projects as a long-term solution at the position. Maybe sooner than later.

HT-566261-1

11

Devonte Green

Class: Junior. Height: 6-3. Weight: 185.

High school (hometown): Long Island Lutheran (North Babylon, N.Y.) Key stats: Averaged 7.6 points and was third on the team with 76 assists last season.

Outlook: He’s one of the most skilled players on the roster, albeit IU’s most unpredictable. As a sophomore last year, Green once again played through a season of wild swings between high and low moments. It was no more apparent than in February. After closing January with a 20-point effort off the bench at Ohio State, Green averaged 11.2 points and totaled 25 assists and only 10 turnovers during a five-game stretch to open the month. But across IU’s final three contests, Green reverted to the unsteady version of himself, averaging merely 3.6 points and committing 10 turnovers with just four assists in that span. While such inconsistency can be maddening, Green has filled a few areas better than anyone else. No one was better at feeding Juwan Morgan in the post than Green last season. He’s also been particularly effective coming off pick-and-rolls.

Green earned high praise this offseason from Miller, who called him one of IU’s most consistent players during workouts. Consistency is the keyword for Green, and if he manages to follow through this season, he’ll offer skills that few around the Big Ten can account for.

13

Juwan Morgan

Class: Senior. Height: 6-8. Weight: 232.

High school (hometown): Waynesville (Waynesville, Mo.) Key stats: Finished ninth in the Big Ten with 16.5 points per game, eighth with 7.4 rebounds and sixth in field goal percentage at 57.9.

Outlook: Morgan was one of the most improved players in the nation last season, increasing his overall scoring by 8.8 points and his conference output by 10.6 points. Teaming with a scorer of Langford’s caliber should only make him better. While his production will be paramount to Indiana’s success this season, so too will his leadership. This is his team now, and Morgan is eager to take it far. After the Hoosiers missed the NCAA Tournament in his sophomore and junior seasons, this is Morgan’s opportunity to leave a lasting mark on IU for the years to come under Miller. His toughness, versatility and voice make him one of the most respected players around, someone IU will play off of in the months to come. While Langford brings star power to this year’s team, Morgan provides its backbone. As IU’s only consistent offensive threat a season ago, Morgan fought double teams in nearly every game and still produced at a leading rate. Defensively, he filled in for injured center De’Ron Davis and finished seventh in the league with 44 blocks. If he can build on his free throw shooting (.631) and 3-point success rate (.302), he could blossom into a surefire NBA Draft pick and become a matchup problem not only for teams in the Big Ten, but those IU might encounter well into March.

THE HERALD-TIMES | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | F13

15

Zach McRoberts

Class: Senior. Height: 6-6. Weight: 210.

High school (hometown): Carmel (Carmel).

Key stats: Finished third in conference play with 1.7 steals per game last year.

Outlook: McRoberts, a gritty, walk-on guard, was snubbed from the All-Big Ten Defensive Team last season. He hustled his way into Indiana’s lineup, starting the final 17 games of the season and earning a cocaptain’s role alongside Juwan Morgan this year. A fan favorite, McRoberts has developed a reputation for making the plays that often do not surface in box scores. Other times, his tangible production — while modest — is incredibly impactful. Arguably the best play made by a Hoosier last season belonged to McRoberts, who turned his seventh offensive rebound in the Crossroads Classic victory over Notre Dame into a quick assist to Morgan for the game-winning basket. During the offseason, McRoberts worked diligently on his shooting and

20

New 2018 Ford F Fiesta Sa ale Pric ce: Archie Miller hopes he can add more of a scoring touch as a senior. McRoberts more than doubled his 3-point attempts last year, shooting 13-for-33 (.394) from beyond the arc. Still, he was often left alone on the perimeter while teams focused their defensive intent elsewhere. When McRoberts gets the ball on the wings this season, Miller wants him to shoot.

#23250

MSRP: $16,900

13,900

$

New 2018 8 Ford Esc cape #23066 Sale Price:

MSRP: $24,935

119,800

$

De’Ron Davis

Class: Junior. Height: 6-10. Weight: 255.

High school (hometown): Overland (Park Hill, Colo.)

Key stats: Averaged 9.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and shot 61.5 percent.

Outlook: An Achilles injury suffered during the first week of January prematurely ended Davis’ sophomore season. After a transformative offseason, the big man offered flashes of becoming the impactful low-post player the Hoosiers hoped to see.

He averaged 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds through the first 10 games, playing one of his best games in an IU uniform during the Hoosiers’ ACC/Big Ten Challenge loss to Duke. But Davis’ production fell off not long after that, and he posted only 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in his final five contests before the injury. All the while, Davis’ efforts from the free-throw line were concerning. A 75 percent shooter at the line during his freshman season, Davis made only 32 of his 64 free throws (50 percent) last year. It’s not clear what kind and how much of a role Davis will be able to have this season. Achilles injuries are tricky, and it’s not uncommon for players to require a full year (and then some) before they’re

SE

New 2018 Fo ord F-150 #23341 Sale Price:

MSRP: $29,295

23,900

$

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE! back to normal. Compounding matters, the injury didn’t allow Davis to maintain the high-level conditioning program he used to ready himself and transform his body prior to last season. Throughout the offseason, IU tried to take it slow with his rehabilitation. Entering his junior year, it’s hard to project just how Davis will be able to impact the 2018-19 team.

BLOOMINGTON

2200 SOUTH WALNUT • BLOOMINGTON • 812-331-2200

CommunityFordLincoln.Com HT-569277-1

*Prices are plus taxes and dealer fee and include available incentives. Ford Credit financing may be required to qualify for maximum rebates, with approved credit.

F14 | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | THE HERALD-TIMES | IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW

21

22

Jerome Hunter

Clifton Moore

Class: Sophomore. Height: 6-10. Weight: 230.

High school (hometown): Hatboro-Horsham (Ambler, Pa.) Key stats: Saw 43 minutes in nine games.

Outlook: An under-the-radar prospect at the time of his commitment in the fall of 2016, Moore showed last year that he still needed a bit of seasoning. In addition to adding strength to his long, rangy frame, Moore required time to learn his role inside a college system. With questions surrounding De’Ron Davis’ role, this is a crucial year for Moore’s development. With Davis, Evan

Class: Freshman. Height: 6-7. Weight: 214.

High school (hometown): Pickerington North (Pickerington, Ohio) Key stats: Scored 1,314 career points in high school, averaging 20.2 points and 10.2 rebounds as a senior.

Outlook: A finalist for Ohio Mr. Basketball, Hunter was the top-ranked recruit in IU’s signing class until Romeo Langford made his commitment in April. The versatile wing was considered the No. 46 overall prospect nationally by 247 Sports and No. 49 by Rivals. He enters college with clear NBA potential, with a prototype frame and skill set, and has already added 10-12 pounds since stepping on campus earlier this summer. He’s worked to become a more adept ball handler and has already impressed Miller with his shooting ability from long range and mid-range. There’s a very high ceiling here, one that could allow Hunter to leave Bloomington after two or three years.

He’ll have a chance to begin tapping into it this season.

Fitzner, Jake Forrester and Race Thompson, IU is building a nice assortment of post depth. Moore will have to show better instincts and an ability to consistently play to his size in order to carve out a niche.

Trust your new roof to experienced, local experts.

Rapid Roofing and Restoration specializes in: • Roofing • Siding • Gutters

• Hail and Wind Damage • And more…

For your convenience, we accept cash, credit cards and offer third party financing.

“I love our new roof! It’s beautiful for one thing but I’m also just absolutely amazed at your crew and how efficient they are, and how friendly they are, and how they clean up, and how they’re in a good mood all the time. You guys are terrific and if I ever get the opportunity to recommend a roofer- tag you’re it!”

— Janice and Larry P. Bloomington

Now through the end of November

GET

$

250 OFF 23 Damezi Anderson

A Total Roof Replacement

Call Today for a Free Roof Inspection:

(812) 837-9654

HT-558436-1

Call: (812) 837-9654 Visit: www.RapidRoofs.com

Class: Freshman. Height: 6-7. Weight: 215.

High school (hometown): Riley (South Bend).

Key stats: Scored 2,210 points in high school and averaged 19.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in helping Riley to a 26-1 record as a senior.

Outlook: Anderson is an intriguing young player with early potential to impact the Hoosiers as a shooter off the bench. In what looks to be a crowded rotation, that could be Anderson’s easiest path to playing time as a freshman. While his natural shooting ability gives him a plug-and-play attribute, Anderson will have to show better feel in other areas to earn any consistent minutes that might be available this season. Anderson is the first scholarship player from South Bend to sign with IU since Tom Abernethy.

IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW | THE HERALD-TIMES | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | F15

24

Vijay Blackmon

25

Race Thompson

Class: Sophomore. Height: 6-2. Weight: 185.

High school/Previous school (hometown): Marion/St. Francis (Marion, Ind.) Key stats: Averaged 9.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 22 games for Saint Francis during the 2016-17 season.

Outlook: Blackmon, the younger brother of former IU guard James Blackmon Jr., sat out last season to fulfill NCAA transfer requirements. He scored 1,500 points while playing for his father, James Sr., at Marion and garnered all-state honorable mention honors from the Associated Press as a senior.

time for last season. Instead of playing his senior year of high school, Thompson worked behind the scenes during his Class: Freshman. Height: 6-8. Weight: 228. redshirt year at Indiana. Prior to reclassifying, Thompson was considered a top-100 High school (hometown): Armstrong recruit in the 2018 class. He’s a physical (Plymouth, Minn.) player who, Miller said, demonstrated last Key stats: Averaged 19.6 points and 8.9 year in practices that he’s not afraid to mix rebounds during his senior year of high it up. Thompson was also a 45 percent school.

3-point shooter during his last season of Outlook: The first player to commit to high school ball. He’ll add frontcourt depth second-year coach Archie Miller, Thompson reclassified to join IU’s program in and serve in a backup role to Morgan.

55

Evan Fitzner

Class: Senior. Height: 6-10. Weight: 225.

High school/Previous school (hometown): Francis Parker/St. Mary’s (San Diego, Calif.)

Key stats: Shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range during three years at St. Mary’s.

Outlook: Indiana desperately needed shooters during Archie Miller’s first season.

So this offseason, Miller made that skill a priority. Fitzner, a graduate transfer from St. Mary’s, will be expected to provide another perimeter option, as both a stretch forward and a trailing option in transition.

He stretched the floor during his three years with the Gaels, making 40 percent of his 3-pointers last season, 43 percent as a sophomore and 41 percent as a freshman.

In the process of bolstering IU’s offensive upside, he’ll have to prove that he can rebound and defend at a level high enough to warrant a premium allotment of minutes.

Fitzner, who saw a run of 75 consecutive starts end in early December, averaged 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game last season at St. Mary’s, starting seven of the 36 contests in which he appeared.

HT-561844-1

F16 | THE HERALD-TIMES | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

NEW 2019 KIA SORENTO LX LEAS SE FOR ONLY

$

1189 /MO *

#K146 #K14618

NEW 2018 KIA OPTIMA LX LEASE FOR ONLY

$

149 /MO *

#K14541

WE CAN APPROVE YOUR CREDIT, EVEN IF IT’S LESS THAN PERFECT!* COMMUNITY KIA OF BLOOMINGTON 2200 SOUTH WALNUT • 812-331-2250

Mon - Thu 8:30 - 8:00 • Fri - Sat 8:30 - 6:00 Visit us on the net communitykia.net

*36 MONTHS, 36,000 MILES, 12,000 MILES PER YEAR. $3,590 DUE AT SIG NING PLUS FIRST PAYMENT, TAXES AND FEES PLUS $595 SECURITY DEPOSIT. FINANCING THROUGH KIA MOTORS FINANCE. OFFERS ENDS 11/30/2018. PRICE INCLUDES ALL KMF INCENTIVES INCLUDING LOYALTY/COMPETITIVE.ADD DESTINATION. LESSEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSURANCE, MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, $.20 PER MILE OVER 12,000 MILES/YEAR, EXCESS WEAR, AND A $400 TERMINATION FEE.W.A.C OFFERS DO NOT COMBINE. SEE DE ALER FOR DETAILS. MUST BE ADVERTISED PRICE. MUST TAKE DELIVERY FROM RETAIL STOCK BY 11/30/2018. DEALER CONTRIBUTION MAY VARY AND COULD AFFECT ACTUAL LEASE PAYMENT.

AS LOW AS $0 DOWN DRIVES AWAY ANY NEW KIA

AS LOW AS $0 DOWN DRIVES AWAY ANY NEW KIA AS LOW AS $0 DOWN DRIVES AWAY ANY NEW KIA AS LOW AS $0 DOWN DRIVES AWAY ANY NEW KIA

!

M E L B O R P O N ?

IT D E R C D NEE

HT-569275-1

AS LOW AS $0 DOWN DRIVES AWAY ANY NEW KIA AS LOW AS $0 DOWN DRIVES AWAY ANY NEW KIA

AS LOW AS $0 DOWN DRIVES AWAY ANY NEW KIA

AS LOW AS $0 DOWN DRIVES AWAY ANY NEW KIA

2018-19 BIG TEN CAPSULE PREVIEWS Capsules by the Associated Press.

Predicted order of finish by Mike Miller.

4. Wisconsin Badgers

Last season: 15-18.

Coach: Greg Gard.

Who’s back: F Ethan Happ (17.9 Last season: 30-5, won Big Ten points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists); G Brad title and lost in second round of Davison; G D’Mitrik Trice; G Kobe King; F NCAA Tournament.

Nate Reuvers.

Coach: Tom Izzo.

Who’s new: Grad transfer Trevor Anderson, Who’s back: F Nick Ward (12.4 points, 7.1 who avergaed 9.8 points at Wisconsinrebounds), G Cassius Winston (12.6 ppg, Green Bay last year.

6.9 apg), G Joshua Langford (11.7 ppg).

The Skinny: With Happ leading the way, the Who’s new: Two freshmen will play right Badgers have the ingredients of a team that away: Aaron Henry, a 6-6, 210-pound forshould return to the NCAA Tournament. The ward, and Foster Loyer, a 6-foot point guard. backcourt should be stronger with a healthy The Skinny: The Spartans are No. 10 in the Davison, Trice and King. The Badgers won preseason poll because they have a lot of five of their last eight games last season experience, which they hope will help the because of better defense. They’re stressprogram advance past the first weekend ing defense again going into this season. of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.

5. Nebraska Cornhuskers

1. Michigan State Spartans

Last season: 22-11, lost in first round of NIT. Last season: 16-15, lost to Coach: Tim Miles.

Rutgers in first round of Big Ten Who’s back: G James Palmer (18.8 points); Tournament.

G Glynn Watson Jr. (4-year starter).; F Isaac Coach: Archie Miller.

Copeland (15.8 points); F Isaiah Roby.

Who’s back: F Juwan Morgan (16.5 points Who’s new: True freshmen Brady Heiman per game, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks), F and Amir Harris are in line for significant De’Ron Davis (9.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg), G Devonte playing time.

Green (7.6 ppg, 2.5 assists).

The Skinny: It’s been a long time since Who’s new: The Hoosiers welcome one of there has been so much excitement about a the Big Ten’s top freshmen classes, the Nebraska team entering a season. A fourthprize being guard Romeo Langford. place finish in the Big Ten earned Miles a The Skinny: This roster looks far different one-year contract extension. from the one Miller inherited. Morgan is the 6. Purdue Boilermakers tested leader. With the addition of the five talented freshmen and transfer Evan Fitzner, Last season: 30-7, lost to Texas Miller has more depth and overall talent Tech in NCAA regional semifithan last season. nals.

Coach: Matt Painter 3. Michigan Wolverines Who’s back: G Carsen Edwards (18.5 Last season: 33-8, reached points); G Nojel Eastern (2.9 points, 2.5 national title game. rebounds); F Matt Haarms (3.2 rebounds, Coach: John Beilein.

2.1 blocks).

Who’s back: Charles Matthews (13 points Who’s new: Freshman Eric Hunter Jr. and per game), G Zavier Simpson; G Jordan redshirt freshman Aaron Wheeler are Poole, C Jon Teske. expected to make the biggest impact.

Who’s new: Freshmen Brandon Johns and The Skinny: It won’t be the same without David DeJulius were rated No. 60 and No. the four seniors, but the Boilermakers still 93 in ESPN’s Class of 2018 Top 100. have scorers, size, depth and defenders.

The Skinny: Michigan’s defensive resurPainter is too good of a coach to accept gence helped the Wolverines to a Sweet 16 a significant drop-off, even after losing so berth in 2017 and last season’s Final Four many key players.And with Edwards, perrun. Where they go this year may depend on haps the best player in the Big Ten, leading how much Poole, Isaiah Livers and the new the way, steady improvement could keep Purdue in the Big Ten title mix again. freshmen can contribute offensively.

2. Indiana Hoosiers

Ready for game day.

We love Bloomington and we love the Hoosiers. Cream & Crimson are the best colors in all the land, after all. This Basketball BTown Box helps you celebrate your love of all things Hoosier by sharing it with those closest to you.

Or send it to a Purdue fan. Because bragging rights never get old.

How it works

Giving a game day experience should be as fun as rooting for the Hoosiers. So, we’ve made it easy for you!

1

Pick your favorite friends and family members.

2

Head to btownbox.com and order the Basketball Box.

3

Present them with a carefully curated collection of unique BTown goodies.

Or if you prefer, stop in and order one in person at The Herald-Times building at 1900 South Walnut.

New in this Box! Find us online at btownbox.com

EXCLUSIVE BASKETBALL POSTER SET: Get pumped for the new season with these replica pages from The Herald-Times and a custom basketball schedule poster.

HT-568075-1

CRIMSON CRUNCH: Ready to take your game day snacking to the next level?

Then enjoy this treat courtesy of our friends at Bloomington Bagel Company.

EXCLUSIVE T-SHIRT: Need to update your gear? Then add this custom-designed t-shirt to your Box. Even when words fail you, everyone will know you love basketball in Indiana.

While you’re there, check out The Original BTown Box, and sign up for more info, special offers and updates on more exciting Boxes.

F18 | THE HERALD-TIMES | Tuesday, November 6, 2018

7. Maryland Terrapins

Last season: 19-13, missed NCAA Tournament first time in four years.

Coach: Mark Turgeon.

Who’s back: C Bruno Fernando (10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds), G Anthony Cowan Jr. (15.8 ppg), G Darryl Morsell (8.7 ppg).

Who’s new: C Jalen Smith, who averaged 17.9 points, nine rebounds and three blocks and G Serrel Smith Jr., who averaged 29.3 points and five rebounds as HS seniors.

The Skinny: Jalen Smith and Fernando gives the Terrapins a formidable front court, and Cowan will have plenty of passing options when he’s not taking the shot himself from the outside.

8. Ohio State Buckeyes

“Indiana, we’re all for you!”

The Cook family of IU fans wishes you a great season.

Last season: 25-9, 15-3 Big Ten Coach: Chris Holtmann.

Who’s back: F Kaleb Wesson (10.2 points); F Andre Wesson; C Micah Potter; G C.J. Jackson; G Musa Jallow; F Kyle Young.

Who’s new: Highly touted freshman shooting guard Luther Muhammad.

The Skinny: Holtmann cleaned up a program that had fallen into disarray, leading the Buckeyes to a 25-9 finish and earning himself Big Ten coach of the year honors.

Now he has to maintain the standard.

9. Iowa Hawkeyes

Last season: 14-19 Coach: Fran McCaffery Who’s back: F Tyler Cook (15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, .566 FG percentage), G Jordan Bohannon (13.5 points, 5.4 assists), C Luke Garza (12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds).

Who’s new: Freshman Joe Wieskamp, twotime Gatorade Player of the Year in Iowa.

The Skinny: The Hawkeyes were arguably the worst defensive Power Five team in America a year ago. They have their top nine scorers back this season, but if those guys don’t learn how to get stops it won’t matter much.

10. Minnesota Gophers Pfau Shine Legacy Court at Cook Hall

cookgroup.com © COOK 11/2017 CGI-D30825-EN HT-564670-1

Last season: 15-17, lost in first round of Big Ten Tournament.

Coach: Richard Pitino.

Who’s back: F Jordan Murphy (16.8 points, 11.3 rebounds), F Amir Coffey, F Eric Curry, G Isaiah Washington, G Dupree McBrayer (9.4 points).

Who’s new: Shooting guard Brock Stull is a fifth-year graduate transfer from Milwaukee.

The Skinny: The Gophers could be one of the conference’s surprises like two seasons ago when they reached the NCAA Tournament.

11. Northwestern Wildcats

Last season: 15-17 Coach: Chris Collins Who’s back: F Vic Law (12.0 points); C Dererk Pardon (11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg); G Jordan Ash; G Ryan Greer.

Who’s new: Grad transfer guard Ryan Taylor led the Missouri Valley in scoring last season at 21.3 points per game for Evansville.

The Skinny: The Wildcats are back on campus in a renovated Welsh-Ryan Arena after playing home games last season about 15 miles away at Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

Don’t underestimate that.

12. Penn State Nittany Lions Last season: 26-13, went 9-9 in league play to finish sixth.

Coach: Pat Chambers.

Who’s back: G Josh Reaves; F Lamar Stevens; F Mike Watkins; G Jamari Wheeler.

Who’s new: G Myles Dread, G Rasir Bolton, G Daniil Kasatkin, G Myreon Jones, G Kyle McCloskey.

The Skinny: Tony Carr’s early departure for the NBA hurts and his conference-best 20 points per game will be missed, but the Nittany Lions have a veteran core that’ll be led by one of the conference’s top rebounders in Watkins.

13. Illinois Fighting Illini

Last season: 14-18, lost to Iowa in first round of Big Ten tournament.

Coach: Brad Underwood.

Who’s back: G Trent Frazier (2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game), G Da’Monte Williams (3.5 ppg), F Kipper Nichols (10 ppg, 4.2 rebounds).

Who’s new: Six recruits and three transfers, highlighted by four-star recruits Ayo Dosunmu and Tevian Jones.

The Skinny: Illinois has missed the NCAA Tournament the past five years and posted a dismal 41-67 record in conference play over that span. It will likely be another tough year for Underwood to find his footing.

14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Last season: 15-19, lost in quarterfinals of Big Ten tournament.

Coach: Steve Pikiell.

Who’s back: G Geo Baker (10.8 points, 2.2 rebounds); F Eugene Omoruyi (7.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg); F Issa Thiam (7.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg).

Who’s new: G Peter Kiss, who averaged 13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds at Quinnipiac.

The Skinny: Rutgers has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1990-91 and won’t be again this year.

N O E GAM be a college athlete to enjoy

A! to C e v M a Y h e ’t h n t o t a d ion You p m a h c a e , k i s l e y u a l g P a . e l l l r a u b t o baske o join t e m o c l e w are ps. o s l o e h v e e l l m l i o k s s t l Al shoo t s u j o t r o , es pick-up gam Join us!

g r o .

A C M Y y nt u o C e o r n o M

SOUTHEAST BRANCH 2125 S. Highland Ave. Bloomington, IN 47401 HT-555635-1

NORTHWEST BRANCH 1375 N. Wellness Way Bloomington, IN 47404

F20 | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | THE HERALD-TIMES | IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW

MEET THE 2018-19 IU WOMEN

1

Bendu Yeaney

Class: Soph. Height: 5-10. Pos: Guard.

Outlook: The well-built leaper put 36 starts under her belt heading into her sophomore season. Teri Moren often noted how confident “Benny” was on the floor as a frosh, and the Oregon native wasn’t afraid to take some key 3-pointers during last year’s WNIT run. Yeaney finished the year averaging 8.4 points and 5 rebounds per game, including a 39.4 percent success rate from beyond the arc. She will play off the ball, but Yeaney could also be asked to play the point when Ali Patberg needs a breather.

10

Aleksa Gulbe

Class: Freshman. Height: 6-3. Pos: Forward.

The Latvian is one of the more intriguing players added to the roster this season.

She has the height of a forward, but in international competitions Gulbe showed an ability to handle the ball and drive, as well as a smooth jump shot. Adjusting to the American game does ordinarily take some time, especially with the increase in physicality and athleticism. Gulbe will be in the rotation, though. The extent will depend on how quickly she adapts.

2

Keyanna Warthen

Class: Soph. Height: 5-10. Pos: Guard.

Teri Moren says the sophomore guard has “transformed” her body this offseason. Warthen is a long, athletic perimeter defender. It will be interesting to see how much of an advance she will make offensively. Warthen was somewhat raw last season as a freshman, shooting 38 percent from the field with 22 assists to 39 turnovers. She was also 10-of-24 from the free throw line.

11

Kym Royster

Class: Senior. Height: 6-2. Pos: Forward.

Royster took a big step forward as a junior, increasing her point per game output from 4.2 to 10.2. Head coach Teri Moren has raved about Royster’s senior leadership in the offseason. The 6-foot-2 forward isn’t the biggest five player in the Big Ten, which challenges her defensively. But she has proven herself as a scorer, when the Hoosiers feed her the ball. It will be interesting to see how often IU works it inside this season.

4

Chanel Wilson

Class: Freshman. Height: 5-6. Pos: Guard.

Wilson is eight months out from a knee injury, the second of her high school career.

As of yet, the point guard hasn’t been released for contact, but she has been participating in 5-on-0 drills. The Hoosiers still hope she could play this season. When healthy, Wilson has been quick off the dribble and has shown range beyond the 3-point arc.

12

Linsey Marchese

Class: Soph. Height: 6-4. Pos: Forward.

Marchese was thrown into the fire at times last year, and there were obstacles to overcome. Her conditioning needed to be better, as did her free-throw shooting. Both of those things came along, and Marchese has a chance to have an even bigger role following another offseason. Especially with Kym Royster playing as an undersized five, the Hoosiers could use Marchese’s physicality — and fouls to give — in the low block.

5

Grace Withrow

Class: Senior. Height: 5-6. Pos: Guard.

Withrow joined the Hoosiers last season as a walk-on after spending her first two years at IU as a student. She was awarded a scholarship this offseason. She appeared in six games in 2017-18 for a total of six minutes.

13

Jaelynn Penn

Class: Soph. Height: 5-10. Pos: Guard.

The Freshman All-Big Ten selection has a chance to turn into an alpha for the Hoosiers this season. A strong, athletic guard, Penn is hard to stop off the dribble. She was more and more aggressive as her first season unfolded, as well, finishing with averages of 10.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest. Penn was also an impressive 82.6 percent from the free throw line, which means defenders can’t hack her freely. She has a chance to become a special player.

NEW 2019 Hyundai Elantra SE

NEW 2019 Hyundai Sonata Se

#N98027

#E98063

YOUR CHOICE! $0 DOWN!*

$239/MONTH*

NEW 2018 Hyundai Kona SE AWD

$239/MONTH*

NEW 2018 Hyundai Tuscon SE AWD

#K88133

#T88214

$239/MONTH*

$259/MONTH*

3yr/36000 pmt does not include tax and dealer fees. All models are automatic transmission.

Pre-Owned Vehicles

2003 Honda Civic LX

2009 Chevrolet Impala LTZ

2012 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sdn 2.4 Auto GLS

2010 GMC Terrain AWD

2015 Hyundai Veloster

$2,500 P90677B

$11,771 D90100

$7,347 D90066

$12,511 D90078

$10,472 D90103

2013 Ford Fusion

$10,684 D90101

2012 Chevrolet Traverse FWD LT

2015 Ford Edge 4dr SEL AWD

2012 Toyota Highlander 4WD

2015 Toyota Tundra 4WD Truck 4WD

$18,281 D90065

$19,771 I88092A

www.AndyMohrHyundai.com

812-301-7133 Liberty Dr. ~ Bloomington

$11,159 P90620B

$27,899 D90099

F22 | Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | THE HERALD-TIMES | IU BASKETBALL PREVIEW

14

Ali Patberg

Class: Junior. Height: 5-11. Pos: Guard.

Patberg, Indiana’s Miss Basketball in 2015, replaces an icon at the point guard position. Even if she’s not Tyra Buss, the Notre Dame transfer was highly recruited out of Columbus North and has a wellrounded skill set. She’s a tireless worker, a deft passer, and she has the length and athleticism to finish in the paint. There may just be some rust to knock off; the redshirt junior hasn’t played much the last three years because of injury, illness, and a transfer. She averaged 7.7 minutes per game in 2016-17 after missing her entire freshman season with an ACL injury.

34

Grace Berger

Class: Freshman. Height: 6-0. Pos: Guard.

Last year, Jaelynn Penn came in as a freshman and made an impact. Her former AAU teammate, Berger, has a chance to be just as effective. She is an excellent ballhandler, and, along with Yeaney, the 6-foot guard could spell Ali Patberg at the point. Berger can score at all three levels, and Teri Moren has been encouraging the quiet freshman to be a little more aggressive. She could be a gem.

23

Alexis Johnson

50

Brenna Wise

Class: Soph. Height: 6-1. Pos: Forward.

Johnson has been slow to develop, somewhat hindered by a knee injury during her freshman campaign. She played a total of 11 minutes in the 2017-18 season. Will the wing/forward take a step in the right direction as a sophomore? With the additions of Aleksa Gulbe and transfer Brenna Wise, and a bevy of guards to play on the wing, Johnson will have an uphill battle to find minutes.

Class: Junior. Height: 6-0. Pos: Forward.

While the Hoosiers’ next point guard has one tough act to follow, Wise’s challenge stepping in for Amanda Cahill could be just as hard. Cahill was such an intelligent four player, on the offensive and defensive ends. Wise is a couple inches shorter than Cahill, but Teri Moren touts her toughness underneath the basket. She also spent a great deal of time working on her 3-pointer during her transfer season. The vocal, affable forward earned the nickname “The Mayor” in her high school.

JEREMY HOGAN | HERALD-TIMES

Indiana coach Teri Moren reacts after a foul was called against an IU player during a Jan. 6 game against Purdue at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Moren begins her fifth season at Indiana, where she has an 82-53 record. She guided the Hoosiers to the WNIT championship last season.

YOUR CHOICE $0 MONEY DOWN! 2018 Honda Civic EX FWD

2018 Honda CR-V LX AWD

$215/mo*

$265/mo*

2019 Honda Civic LX FWD

2018 Honda Accord LX FWD

#C80816

#B81146

#A80241

#C90112

$215/mo* All pre-owned vehicles are plus tax and doc fees; Subject to prior sale; As is no warranty; No rain checks; No Dealers; See dealer for details.

$275/mo* www.AndyMohrHonda.com

812-336-6865 Liberty Dr. ~ Bloomington

Look Sharp in the Cream and Crimson Blazer from Andrew Davis Coming soon in navy with candy stripe lining.

Andrew Davis – your home for the best menswear and IU gear.

andrewdavisclothiers.com Fountain Square Mall ~ Bloomington, 101 W. Kirkwood 812.323.7730 HT-555639-1