Fansided

2016-17 College Basketball All-Injured Team

By Charlie Maikis

Jan 29, 2017; Queens, NY, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) drives past St. John's Red Storm forward Tariq Owens (11) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Queens, NY, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) drives past St. John's Red Storm forward Tariq Owens (11) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 18, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Tony Carr (10) shoots the ball as Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) defends during the first half at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Tony Carr (10) shoots the ball as Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) defends during the first half at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

Small Forward: OG Anunoby

Team: Indiana

Stats: 11.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 APG

Anunoby might be the biggest difference-maker on this list, but it doesn’t necessarily show in his counting stats. After he burst onto the scene after shutting down Jamal Murray in the 2016 NCAA Tournament, he was expected to be a major factor on a contending team this season.

Through mid-January that was all going to plan. While the Hoosiers battled some bouts on inconsistency, they were still 13-6 with some great wins. Since losing Anunoby, though, they have gone 2-7. While he didn’t provide a ton on offense, he was a solid piece on a team with countless other offensive threats. He moved the ball when he needed to and shot over 70 percent on 2-pointers.

Where his biggest impact was felt was on the defensive end. Indiana was and is a team built around its offense, and Anunoby was the lynchpin of the defense. The 6-foot-7 wing is quick enough to hound guards and has a 7-foot-6 (!!!) wingspan that allows him to match up with bigs. He is the prototypical defender, being able to guard all five positions. Anunoby is one of eight players this season to average at least 1.3 steals and blocks per game in 15 or more games. That kind of versatility was huge for a team that could get it done on offense but struggled on the other end. The 2-7 stretch without Anunoby has plummeted Indiana out of the NCAA Tournament field. They will need a strong finish to make it, and with every passing game it gets clearer how important Anunoby was to them.