2012 NCAA Basketball Previews — Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers basketball team has taken another giant leap toward greatness this year, as they’ve been named the No. 1 team in the country in the preseason AP and USA Today Polls. The team hasn’t been ranked first overall since 1979, but fifth-year head coach Tom Crean has been remarkable for the recovery of a program struggling to match up to its renowned tradition.
Odds to Win (By bovada.lv)
2013 NCAA Tournament: 5 to 1
2013 Big 10 Tournament: 9 to 4
This is an organization with a rich and celebrated history, and if they can put it all together in 2013, their return to prominence could finally come to fruition.
Last Year’s Results
When coach Crean took over in 2008, the team was in a state of turmoil with the NCAA breathing down its neck. Then-head coach Kelvin Sampson was the center of multiple controversies on campus, and the team was essentially starting from scratch with a new coach and a new roster. Last season, however, was the team’s best season under coach Crean, as they once again returned to the national spotlight—this time for the right reasons.
The Hoosiers returned to the NCAA tournament last year with a 27-9 overall record, but they were sent home by the No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats in the Sweet 16.
Monumental regular season wins against Kentucky, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Michigan helped pave the way to their success, and it was one of the more majestic years in all of college basketball.
Roster Changes
The Hoosiers are fortunate enough to return their top five point-per-game guys, as well as five of the six players who started ten games or more last season, which isn’t something most prominent programs can say in today’s day and age of one-and-done freshmen
To go along with the group of veterans, Indiana is bringing in the 11th-ranked recruiting class for 2012 (according to ESPN). The team has five commits, including top 100-ranked Kevin “Yogi Ferrell”, Jeremy Hollowell, Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Peter Jurkin.
Key Players
Returning center Cody Zeller was chosen as the Big Ten preseason player of the year, and there’s no reason to believe that anybody in the conference will steal that honor by the end of 2013.
Zeller is a 7’0”, 240-pound sophomore, who many expected to bolt following his rookie year. His 15.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks were good enough to earn him lottery mentions in the 2012 NBA draft, but he’ll be back this season looking to boost his numbers to elite recognition.[ad-6571516]
The team’s next-highest scorers, Christian Watford and Jordan Hulls, will be counted upon to take the pressure off of Zeller, who will surely see more double-teams this season. Kevin Ferrell, the freshman point guard, will also compete for starter’s minutes by making plays and pushing the tempo from day one.
Senior forward Derek Elston will miss the beginning part of the year with a torn meniscus, but the depth and talent on the roster should prevent the team from having any major setbacks.
Key Games
The Hoosiers are the No. 1 team in the country heading into the season, but they also play in what is arguably one of the best conferences in all of college basketball. The Big Ten has top-quality teams littered all over the rankings, and that will never be more apparent than the final three weeks of the season.
Heading into the Big Ten Tournament, Indiana faces 14th-ranked Michigan State late in February and then closes out the season with No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Michigan in their final two contests.
Their first major challenge of the year, however, comes against the eleventh-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. At home on national television, the Hoosiers play host to Roy Williams’ squad from Chapel Hill in just their sixth game of the season.
2013 Prediction
When the season begins, the Indiana Hoosiers will be the favorites in every game they play. That’s the prize—as well as the burden—that comes with being ranked first overall. Simply put, the Hoosiers are the No. 1 team in the country for a reason, and they’re going to look like it until the season comes to a close.
With one of the best big men in the entire NCAA, Indiana should take care of business and win a tough Big Ten conference. This team tasted success last season, but they’re ready for a spot on top of the college basketball world. An NCAA championship is within their grasps, and this group of veterans is primed and ready to chase it from day one.
