It's October, and that means Hoosier Hysteria and the start of the IU men's basketball team's season is right around the corner. Let's take a look at the Hoosiers' 2010 roster and what to expect from its top players.
Overview: Moore is a 5-10, 170-pound junior guard from Carmel, Ind. He started 10 games last season after starting none in 2008, upping his scoring average from 1.3 to 2.5 points per game. By making 14 of his 17 free throws, Moore finished last season with the team's highest free throw percentage. He scored a season-high 7 points in a loss to Wisconsin last year.
Best case: Moore uses his limited playing time to make the argument that he should be on the court more, creating hustle plays and racking up assists. Every so often, he knocks down a big 3-pointer as the shot clock winds down and opposing teams have their focus elsewhere. He provides great depth at the guard position, allowing Jordan Hulls and Verdell Jones more time to rest.
Worst case: He never sees the court, and with good reason. Moore doesn't add anything in the form of energy or production, and coach Tom Crean opts for freshmen options over him. His points per game averages dip back to his freshman level - or even lower - and he makes a permanent spot on the bench.
Outlook: With so many fresh faces entering an already-congested guard rotation this year (see: Oladipo, Creek, Roth), Moore's playing time will mostly be delegated to early-season routs and garbage time late in the year. But if he can prove to be a solid piece off the bench, he can find a small section of the rotation to call his own. Anything more than 2 points per game would have to be considered a successful season for Moore, as there are simply too many scoring threats ahead of him on the depth chart.
