The faculty basketball season formally ideas off Nov. 7, and Indiana has a brand new, eleventh faculty enjoying Division I hoops (welcome, Southern Indiana). In preparation of the 2022-23 season, we requested reporters throughout the USA TODAY Community’s Indiana newspapers 5 questions in regards to the groups they cowl. We’ll publish one every day this week.

STARTING 5 SCHEDULE

Monday: Potential breakout gamers

Tuesday: Newcomers to look at

Wednesday: Largest concern

Thursday: Greatest-case situation

Friday: Recreation I am most trying ahead to

Ball State

The reply would’ve been Jaylin Sellers, who ended up breaking his proper hand and can miss the foreseeable future. As a substitute, I will throw out a reputation: Jalen Windham. The 6-5 junior guard has seen restricted motion in his first two seasons at Ball State since transferring out of Creighton. From the skin trying in, Windham’s utilization did not make a lot sense final season. He was strong off the bench enjoying all through a lot of the nonconference slate, averaging 10 factors till December earlier than his manufacturing stopped. He noticed restricted motion in Mid-American Convention play, went 5-for-7 from 3, scoring a season-high 17 factors in 12 minutes in a blowout loss in opposition to Ohio and spent the remainder of the season on the bench. Windham and first-year coach Michael Lewis appear to get alongside, which may bode properly for the Ben Davis product’s enjoying time this season. — Robby Common, The Star Press

Extra:For Michael Lewis, it is a matter of when, not if, Ball State will return to NCAA match

Butler

If Simas Lukosius doesn’t begin, he could be maybe the very best sixth man within the Large East. He can play each place besides heart. The 6-6 Lithuanian sophomore, after one yr in the US, needs to be higher in all areas.

As a freshman, Lukosius averaged 6.8 factors and three.3 rebounds in 22 minutes per recreation. The Bulldogs have been 6-1 in video games during which he scored 10 or extra factors. Of their final victory — 89-82 over Xavier within the Large East match — he scored 12 of his career-high 27 factors in additional time. — David Woods, IndyStar

Extra:Simas Lukosius may already do all of it for Butler; now he would possibly do it higher

Evansville

A former three-star prospect popping out of highschool, Akron switch Sekou Sada Kalle is probably going going to be Evansville’s beginning heart. One of many transfers who stayed after UE fired former coach Todd Lickliter, new coach David Ragland mentioned Kalle would be the Purple Aces’ “anchor” on the defensive finish and will likely be sturdy offense enjoying above the rim.

Whereas he did not function a lot for the Zips, he ought to get loads of possibilities to indicate why he was rated as extremely as he was in highschool. — Anthony Kristensen, Courier & Press

Extra:5 issues to find out about Evansville males’s basketball

Indiana

It’s by no means been exhausting to see Tamar Bates’ ability stage or potential upside. At his finest, at the same time as a freshman, Bates appeared comfy on the ground with high-major faculty basketball gamers, and even now he stays this staff’s greatest multi-level scoring menace. However his shot abandoned him final winter, and Bates struggled for offensive rhythm by means of a lot of the season consequently. He’s assured in what he’s completed to enhance this summer season. If he emerges because the borderline five-star prospect he was when he signed, Indiana’s ceiling goes up a pair flooring. — Zach Osterman, IndyStar

Indiana State

After main scorer Tyreke Key went down with a season-ending harm within the preseason, Cooper Neese was requested to tackle an elevated scoring load. The 6-4 guard answered the decision going from 9.5 factors per recreation in 2021 to a career-high 15 factors per recreation final season. Neese, a senior from Cloverdale, might not eclipse his factors per recreation common from final season, however with extra expertise round him and one other yr to get acclimated to educate Josh Schertz’s system, Neese needs to be a extra environment friendly participant and compete for All-MVC honors. — Akeem Glaspie, IndyStar

IUPUI

Boston Stanton III was one of many few wholesome gamers left after accidents and transfers decimated IUPUI’s roster final season. As a real freshman, Stanton began 19 of 28 video games and logged heavy minutes within the closing stretch of the season. Armed with a full roster of gamers, the 6-5 guard can transfer off the ball, and showcase his capturing and scoring potential. — Akeem Glaspie, IndyStar

Notre Dame

Can an excellent senior who really has a sixth yr of eligibility if wanted be a breakout participant candidate? He can if he is guard Cormac Ryan, who’s on observe to play his finest basketball in his third season within the system after transferring from Stanford.

Ryan averaged 9.2 factors, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in half-hour final season, when he bounced between starter and reserve. He is the clear-cut start line guard now, the very best perimeter defender, the staff’s vocal chief and its heartbeat. There’s so much on his basketball plate, however the 6-5, 195-pound Ryan needs all of it and extra. Particularly the best way he ended final season when he willed Notre Dame to a pair of match wins (that hasn’t occurred since 2016) by averaging 18.0 factors, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

There’s much more for Ryan to indicate. Anticipate the Atlantic Coast Convention and all of faculty basketball to see it this season. — Tom Noie, South Bend Tribune

Cormac Ryan was good final yr. He and Notre Dame may very well be even higher this yr

Purdue

Trey Kaufman-Renn. After redshirting final season, it is easy to miss the previous Silver Creek standout however he put collectively a strong offseason. He added power and provides the Boilermakers loads of choices to play inside or exterior. He can again up huge man Zach Edey at heart or fill in at energy ahead whereas utilizing his ability set to stretch the ground from the perimeter. He’s poised to develop into one of many staff’s high defenders. — Mike Carmin, Journal & Courier

Purdue primer: Level guard, put up play, protection amongst subjects as apply begins

Purdue Fort Wayne

Deonte Billups received the Horizon League Sixth Man of the Yr award final season, and was fourth within the convention with 2.1 3-pointers per recreation. He averaged 9 factors per recreation, offering a frequent activate the bench. He began 18 video games final season, and will see that quantity improve. —  Matthew VanTryon, IndyStar

Southern Indiana

In his first yr of Division I basketball, I’m anticipating to see a giant season from Gary Solomon. The junior level guard joins the Screaming Eagles after dominating the JUCO stage at Henry Ford School. He led NJCAA’s Division II with 223 assists a yr in the past. Together with his playmaking potential and toughness, he’ll doubtless be handed the reins of the USI offense as the place to begin guard in his first yr with the staff. — Hendrix Magley, Courier & Press

‘We mission ourselves at No. 1’: USI males’s basketball hopes first OVC season is historic

Valparaiso

Ben Krikke, a Canadian senior, has made regular strides every season, and is perhaps able to make noise on the nationwide stage. He was named to the Missouri Valley Convention Most Improved staff and All-MVC third staff as a sophomore and led the staff in scoring final season (14.2 ppg) as a junior whereas making the All-MVC third staff once more. He was named to the preseason All-MVC first staff. If he can take his assertiveness to a different stage and keep his capturing proportion (54% final season), he can take his recreation to a different stage. —  Matthew VanTryon, IndyStar