Overview: Roth is a 6-3, 192-pound junior guard from Washintgon, Ill. He is coming off a foot injury that sidelined him for all but two games in 2009, and he was able to only score 4 total points in that span. In his freshman season, Roth started seven games and averaged 6.7 points per game. Fifty seven of his 66 field goals in 2008 were from 3-point range, where he finished shooting 37 percent. Roth as an all-state player coming out of high school, where he averaged 22 points per game as a senior.
Best case: Roth fixates himself behind the 3-point line and gives the Hoosiers something they desperately needed last season: a deep shooting threat. He has more games like 2008's Ohio State game, when he scored 29 points on 9-of-11 shooting, all from 3-point land. He comes off the bench in a pure shooter role, but he proves himself capable of being a serviceable defender as well. His 3-point percentage rises to the 40-45 percent range as he benefits from drive-and-kick guards.
Worst case: It takes longer than anticipated to recover from his foot injury, and he struggles to get back to game speed. His early-season shooting woes opens the door for others to gain playing time, and it takes just that much longer to shake off the rust. He returns to near-form, knocking down about 30 percent of his long range jumpers. But for a team needing better services than that to be successful, it's a disappointing season for Roth.
Outlook: Roth has said he is fully recovered from the foot injury and subsequent surgery, and given how he has looked at Hoosier Hysteria and practice so far, you'd have to believe him. It's been a long time since he has played in an actual game, but because his primary role is to create floor space and knock down 3-pointers, he should be back to his old self after the two exhibition games. He will give the Hoosiers a legitimate 3-point threat and, tagged with the return of Maurice Creek's all-around game, that will mean far better offensive production and more wins.
