How can a team that looked so good early on in the season struggle so mightily of late? Indiana is the same team that beat Kansas and North Carolina in non-conference play, but also lost to IPFW. To start Big Ten action, the Hoosiers are just 1-2 with losses to Nebraska and Wisconsin and they’ve lost 3-of-4 games.
People are already calling for Tom Crean’s job and that comes just weeks after the Hoosiers were ranked in the top 10 and considered a serious Final Four threat. Indiana needs to turn things around and it has the pieces to do so. Thomas Bryant, James Blackmon and OG Anunoby are just a few of the stars that make up the roster. The Hoosiers will have a chance to move up with a win over Maryland Monday night.
What to make of Michigan State. The Spartans began the season 4-4 with losses to Duke, Arizona, Baylor and Kentucky but have since won 7-of-9, only losing to Penn State and Northeastern since. Sure, there will be some growing pains with this young team, and there already has been. Losing Denzel Valentine, Matt Costello and Bryn Forbes has clearly diminished the leadership.
Eron Harris is a senior guard who has been struggling with consistency but who could also be the go-to scorer this team desperately needs. He disappeared on Saturday against Penn State which is a huge reason for the loss. Miles Bridges is back and healthy for the first time in a month and needs to shake off the rust for Michigan State to bounce back against Minnesota Wednesday.