CBSSports.com: Why Indiana starts No. 1: Veterans, strong freshmen boost Hoosiers
Beyond that, Crean again will have athletic freak and wild card Victor Oladipo; few teams have a change-of-pace player the likes of this junior guard. Senior Jordan Hulls returns as a veteran sharpshooter, and last year’s best sixth man in college basketball, Will Sheehey, is back as well.
All of this presents a strong case for Indiana going into the season as No. 1, but what really separates the Hoosiers from Kentucky and Louisville is its incoming class, which is nearly as strong as UK’s. The big pickup is point guard Yogi Ferrell, who some believe is the second best point guard in the 2012 class. And providing Indiana with additional balance will be Hanner Mosquera-Perea at the four spot and four-star recruit Jeremy Hollowell at three. There’s even promise in 7-foot freshman center Peter Jurkin.
So the team is positively stuffed with players. And that’s all we can grade on right now, yes? It has experience and has won big games. And the Hoosiers’ Sweet 16 loss to Kentucky last year? About as competitive and entertaining as a 102-90 finish could be.
Filed to: CBS Sports