What to Watch For - Keys vs Notre Dame

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey ruffled some feathers across the Indiana basketball world when he claimed to have the most consistent program in the state. The facts don’t necessarily support that (in the last four years IU and Notre Dame have the same amount of wins), but the perception coming off a deep NCAA tournament run is that the Irish have been the best team in the Hoosier state. Perception has been something of an enemy for the IU basketball team in recent times, only outdone by reality- a harsh one at that. A 1-2 showing in Maui simmered the excitement around the season many expected to be head coach Tom Crean’s best yet. But perception is a fickle beast.

And just like that, a win on Saturday afternoon could alter the nation’s perception of Indiana again. It's a game that matters for more than bragging rights. The fact is, unless IU wins its Crossroads Classic game in Indianapolis, it will have zero non-conference wins to boost its tournament resumé. You’d be hard pressed to call a game in December a, “must win,” but, this game in December just might be a must win. So, how can Indiana get it done?

1) Exploiting Mismatches with a Three Guard Lineup

Readers may be surprised to learn that there is indeed a team with worse front court depth than Indiana. The Irish start 6’10” senior Zach Auguste who is averaging a double-double and earning some player of the year talk. Beside Auguste is 6’5” sophomore Bonzie Colson who is obviously undersized though undeniably talented and 6’8” V.J. Beachem who plays more of an outside game. Combine the style IU plays with Notre Dame’s adjusted defensive ranking of 129th in the nation, 18 spots below Indiana’s, and it is easy to deduce that points won’t be hard to come by in this one.

2) Troy Williams’ Shines

The Thomas Bryant-Auguste showdown inside will only be outdone by the Yogi Ferrell-Demetrius Jackson matchup on the outside. How these players do against one another will undeniably go a long way in deciding the winner of this game. However, while these are obvious pairs, Notre Dame doesn’t have a single player on its roster that can go toe-to-toe with Williams athletically. The X-factor is Williams in this game. If he can take advantage of his man and make plays, Indiana has the potential to run away with its biggest victory of the season. If his game is out of control, Notre Dame and their second ranked adjusted offense will have a field day.

3) Depth’s Impact on Rebounding

Note Dame uses about a seven man rotation and isn’t very tall. Indiana has an abysmal defensive rebounding percentage that ranks 242nd in the country. If there is a game where they can improve on that ranking- it is this one. They have a height advantage across the board and far more depth. If Indiana’s pace can tire out the Irish, they have a chance to clean up on the glass and earn a statement victory.