Indiana Basketball's Height (Non) Issue

During this off-season, I've seen worries about Indiana Basketball’s height from numerous places. IUSportsReport summed it up best, “The Hoosiers are small this year and height will be the Achilles heel.” Why, suddenly, are people acting like height will be an issue for Indiana this season? The only real height issue I could see is if Hanner Mosquera-Perea, who is 6-feet 8-inch tall, starts at center, and maybe 6-8 Jeremy Hollowell playing power forward. Other than that, where is the height issue?

Last season, Indiana’s starting line-up was comprised of two 6-foot, one 6-5, one 6-9, and a 7-foot tall player. Yogi and Jordy were short. Oladipo was short, but long and athletic. Let’s not forget that Watford was no giant at the four, either. While he was seven-feet tall, Cody Zeller had short arms. It’s not like IU rolled out the Monstars last year. The average height of the starting five was 77 inches, or 6-feet 5-inch. The average height of the players on scholarship was 79 inches, or 6-feet 7-inch.

This season, depending on who you foresee as starting, Indiana’s starters may be comprised of a 6-foot, a 6-2, a 6-7, a 6-10 (really 6-9.75), and a 7-foot player. That’s a starting five of Yogi Ferrell, Evan Gordon, Will Sheehey, Noah Vonleh, and Luke Fischer. Basically, the Hoosiers should increase height at nearly every position. Compared to last year’s starters, the average height of that hypothetical five is a whole inch taller: 78 inches.

Let’s say Evan Gordon doesn’t start, however, and Tom Crean decides to go with a combination I prefer of Yogi, Sheehey, Hollowell, Vonleh, and Fischer. The average height of those five: 79.4 (so close to rounding up to 80) inches, or 6-feet 7-inch. Even if Perea started in place of Fischer, the average height of the two hypothetical starting line-ups would be 78 inches (6-6) and 79 inches (6-7), respectively. That’s a sizable height increase as a unit.

The four main guys off the bench minutes-per-game-wise for Indiana last year were Will Sheehey, Remy Abell, Jeremy Hollowell, and Maurice Creek. The average height of those four was 78 inches (6-6). Looking at this season, the main guys off the bench this year will likely be Troy Williams, Perea/Fischer, Gordon/Hollowell, and Stan Robinson. The average height with Perea and Hollowell: 79 inches (6-7). The average height with Gordon and Fischer: 78 inches (6-6). Each either the same or larger than last year. Also, Austin Etherington, Devin Davis, and Collin Hartman could see minutes off the bench. All are 6-6 or taller.

The average height of players on scholarship this season will be the exact same as last season: 79. Yet, height is an issue.

If the Hoosiers receive a height boost at three of five starting positions, where is the height issue? If the Hoosiers starting five will definitely be taller than last year’s, where is the height issue? If the main bench guys are taller than last year’s main bench guys, then where in the world is the height issue? Are we really that worried about Perea starting at center that we panic over the team’s height? Even if Perea started at center, he’s long and athletic enough to defend most other competitors.

So, next time you see someone say “the Hoosiers are small this year,” remember this: If anything, Indiana got taller, longer, and more athletic. The starting five will be taller compared to last year’s, as will the main guys off the bench. Indiana’s height is a non-issue, and the Hoosiers will be fine.

(Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America)