Big Ten basketball: 5 bold predictions for 2020-2021 NCAA basketball season

Big Ten basketball sleeper team: Indiana Hoosiers

Suffice it to say that fans in Bloomington are wanting and expecting more from Archie Miller with the Indiana Hoosiers. He’s recruited some talented players but the results — namely the wins — haven’t been there for this team. But as you look at the roster coming into the 2020-2021 season, how could you not consider them a possible sleeper to make some noise this year?

The linchpin for the Hoosiers will be sophomore forward Trayce Jackson-Davis who enjoyed an impressive first year on the floor for Miller’s team. Last year, he averaged 13.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, showcasing his talent while not fully blossoming yet. But we should expect to see that this season from him.

Jackson-Davis has another returning youngster in Race Thompson returning while two of their starting guards are also back. That’s one thing that has hindered Miller in Bloomington since he arrived: maintaining a consistent core of talent that he can build with and compete with. Now he has that.

Because they’ve been burning anyone with optimism or expectations over the past few years, it’s hard to fully put your trust in Indiana. While that may be true, the talent and experience at the top of the roster make it unmistakable that, if the Hoosiers find their footing, they can be a threat to move into the top quarter of the Big Ten this year.