Overview: Pritchard is a 6-9, 245 pound senior from Westlake, Ohio. As a junior, Pritchard was one of four Hoosiers to play in all 32 games, registering 22 starts. The power forward averaged 2.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last season, in addition to shooting a team-best 59 percent from the floor. Pritchard's best offensive season to date was his freshman year, when he averaged 9.7 points and led the Hoosiers with 6.4 rebounds per game.
Best Case: Cody Zeller is the best thing ever to happen to Pritchard. Instead of being the symbol of IU's inability to score in the post as he has been in years past, Pritchard is able to focus on what he's good at---defense. Pritchard is able to consistently shut down the opposing big man and finally prevents IU from being dominated in the paint. Offensively, he is the benefactor of Zeller double teams, leading to some easy flushes. Pritchard is able to start along Zeller in the frontcourt for the duration of the season and is finally able to settle into a consistent role.
Worst Case: Like last year, Pritchard can't stay in the game. It seems like Pritchard picks up two fouls before every opening tip, forcing IU to test its' lack of frontcourt depth. Pritchard ends this season like the last, totaling more fouls (94) than points (80). Pritchard's fouling woes force Zeller to rack up fouls of his own with taking on the opposing big man, limiting his abilities on offense. IU is also forced to put Christian Watford back in the post, where he is less comfortable and more likely to wear down. Basically, Pritchard's absence dismantles IU's entire system.
Outlook: I've never been high on Pritchard coming into a season until this one. If and only if Pritchard can stay out of foul trouble, he appears to be a quality fit with Zeller. For the first time in the Tom Crean era, IU won't be absolutely bullied in the post. Offensively, don't expect Pritchard to add more than the occasional put-back dunk, which he has developed an odd skill of. All of the attention is going to be on Zeller's maturation in the post. But if IU wants to make that jump, it will be largely dependent on Pritchard's maturation into becoming a lockdown Big Ten post defender.
