Link: https://indiana.rivals.com/news/indiana-hoosiers-basketball-iu-chicago-state-player-observations
For those who want to quote specific parts of the story:
• Freshman wing Damezi Anderson: The sixth player off the bench, Anderson didn't score in a flurry like his 14-point effort in last week's exhibition over Southern Indiana but was still effective. He chipped in 5 points on on 2 for 5 shooting from the floor, 1 for 3 from 3-point range, also adding 4 rebounds and 2 assists to his line in 20 minutes of action.
• Redshirt sophomore guard Vijay Blackmon: Wasn't shy about hoisting up shots after checking in with 2:40 left, sinking a right-handed layup that helped Indiana cross the century mark then hitting another three as the final seconds ticked away. The latter drew the ire of IU head coach Archie Miller, who had been telling the Hoosiers on the floor to hold the ball and not shoot, after the game.
• Junior forward De'Ron Davis: The eighth player off the bench despite entering the game with a predetermined minutes restriction, Davis still looked smooth in the limited time he saw. Indiana stuck with the script of 12-15 minutes for the Colorado native, opting to give him 12:03 in what looked like three separate four-minute spurts. He made both of his attempts from the field, finishing with 4 points, 2 rebounds and 1 block.
• Graduate forward Evan Fitzner: Posting the most efficient performance of any IU player who saw playing time, Fitzner again gave Indiana exactly what he came here to bring. He exploited Chicago State's zone defense with ease, hitting 5 of 6 shots from the floor - 1 of 2 from 3-point range. He also lived up to Miller's billing as the best free throw shooter on the team, converting all three of his attempts from the line. With Fitzner getting open and converting, Indiana was able to space the floor effectively for others.
• Freshman forward Jake Forrester: Similar to the exhibition game, he didn't see the floor until the second half but still brought the energy. The 10th player off the bench, he did not check in until 6:05 left but got going offensively with a standstill floater in the paint. A little over two minutes later, he corralled an offensive rebound, sunk the putback basket and drew a foul. He finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds.
• Junior guard Devonte Green: After sitting out last week's exhibition win over Southern Indiana with a thigh bruise, Green was full-go Tuesday night. The first player off the bench, he was primarily IU's backup point guard, replacing Phinisee around the 17:20 mark in the first half. He committed two turnovers in just under five minutes and lacked consistency with his passing and shot selection - a theme also common last year. To his credit, he gave Indiana another scoring option to take the pressure off Morgan and Langford.
• Redshirt junior guard Johnny Jager: Saw his role reduced with Green healthy, misfiring on a 3-point attempt - his lone field goal.
• Freshman guard Romeo Langford: Everyone's going to rightfully go straight to the game-high 19 points, but what stood out the most was his passing ability. He found an open Devonte Green in transition for a 3-pointer in the left corner, then showed terrific vision finding Juwan Morgan for a dunk. New Albany counted on him for his scoring so much because the talent wasn't the same compared to what he has now at IU - obvious reason being high school vs. college. Now that he's got more talent around him, we're starting to see other aspects of his game that we didn't see over the last four years.
• Redshirt senior guard Zach McRoberts: Fairly quiet night for the Carmel (Ind.) High grad offensively, though he showed solid decision making when he converted both of his 3-point attempts. He also chipped in 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
• Freshman forward Clifton Moore: The ninth player off the bench, he surprised many in attendance with a nice jump hook on a couple possessions. He finished with 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal in nearly 7 minutes.
• Freshman guard Robert Phinisee: Starting at point guard, he seemed to pick up where he left off from last week's exhibition. He had a nice outlet pass to Green to set up free throws for Green and wraparound no-look pass to Fitzner for a layup. The greatest impact was felt with his defense and passing, as Phinisee collected five steals and five assists.
Jake Forrester - 10th player off the bench. did not check in until 6:14 left. Hit a standstill floater in the paint. Offensive rebound, basket and foul with 3:46 left but missed free throw.
• Sophomore forward Justin Smith: Had trouble finishing through contact early on, but eventually corrected his struggles at the free throw line to finish 5 for 8. Scoring 13 points in 17 minutes was an encouraging sign.
• Redshirt senior guard Quentin Taylor: A walk-on who won't be a factor in the rotation down the road, but he did contribute one steal on the defensive end of the court.
For those who want to quote specific parts of the story:
• Freshman wing Damezi Anderson: The sixth player off the bench, Anderson didn't score in a flurry like his 14-point effort in last week's exhibition over Southern Indiana but was still effective. He chipped in 5 points on on 2 for 5 shooting from the floor, 1 for 3 from 3-point range, also adding 4 rebounds and 2 assists to his line in 20 minutes of action.
• Redshirt sophomore guard Vijay Blackmon: Wasn't shy about hoisting up shots after checking in with 2:40 left, sinking a right-handed layup that helped Indiana cross the century mark then hitting another three as the final seconds ticked away. The latter drew the ire of IU head coach Archie Miller, who had been telling the Hoosiers on the floor to hold the ball and not shoot, after the game.
• Junior forward De'Ron Davis: The eighth player off the bench despite entering the game with a predetermined minutes restriction, Davis still looked smooth in the limited time he saw. Indiana stuck with the script of 12-15 minutes for the Colorado native, opting to give him 12:03 in what looked like three separate four-minute spurts. He made both of his attempts from the field, finishing with 4 points, 2 rebounds and 1 block.
• Graduate forward Evan Fitzner: Posting the most efficient performance of any IU player who saw playing time, Fitzner again gave Indiana exactly what he came here to bring. He exploited Chicago State's zone defense with ease, hitting 5 of 6 shots from the floor - 1 of 2 from 3-point range. He also lived up to Miller's billing as the best free throw shooter on the team, converting all three of his attempts from the line. With Fitzner getting open and converting, Indiana was able to space the floor effectively for others.
• Freshman forward Jake Forrester: Similar to the exhibition game, he didn't see the floor until the second half but still brought the energy. The 10th player off the bench, he did not check in until 6:05 left but got going offensively with a standstill floater in the paint. A little over two minutes later, he corralled an offensive rebound, sunk the putback basket and drew a foul. He finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds.
• Junior guard Devonte Green: After sitting out last week's exhibition win over Southern Indiana with a thigh bruise, Green was full-go Tuesday night. The first player off the bench, he was primarily IU's backup point guard, replacing Phinisee around the 17:20 mark in the first half. He committed two turnovers in just under five minutes and lacked consistency with his passing and shot selection - a theme also common last year. To his credit, he gave Indiana another scoring option to take the pressure off Morgan and Langford.
• Redshirt junior guard Johnny Jager: Saw his role reduced with Green healthy, misfiring on a 3-point attempt - his lone field goal.
• Freshman guard Romeo Langford: Everyone's going to rightfully go straight to the game-high 19 points, but what stood out the most was his passing ability. He found an open Devonte Green in transition for a 3-pointer in the left corner, then showed terrific vision finding Juwan Morgan for a dunk. New Albany counted on him for his scoring so much because the talent wasn't the same compared to what he has now at IU - obvious reason being high school vs. college. Now that he's got more talent around him, we're starting to see other aspects of his game that we didn't see over the last four years.
• Redshirt senior guard Zach McRoberts: Fairly quiet night for the Carmel (Ind.) High grad offensively, though he showed solid decision making when he converted both of his 3-point attempts. He also chipped in 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
• Freshman forward Clifton Moore: The ninth player off the bench, he surprised many in attendance with a nice jump hook on a couple possessions. He finished with 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal in nearly 7 minutes.
• Freshman guard Robert Phinisee: Starting at point guard, he seemed to pick up where he left off from last week's exhibition. He had a nice outlet pass to Green to set up free throws for Green and wraparound no-look pass to Fitzner for a layup. The greatest impact was felt with his defense and passing, as Phinisee collected five steals and five assists.
Jake Forrester - 10th player off the bench. did not check in until 6:14 left. Hit a standstill floater in the paint. Offensive rebound, basket and foul with 3:46 left but missed free throw.
• Sophomore forward Justin Smith: Had trouble finishing through contact early on, but eventually corrected his struggles at the free throw line to finish 5 for 8. Scoring 13 points in 17 minutes was an encouraging sign.
• Redshirt senior guard Quentin Taylor: A walk-on who won't be a factor in the rotation down the road, but he did contribute one steal on the defensive end of the court.
