Indiana Hoosiers' first season under head coach Darian DeVries wrapped up without an NCAA Tournament bid, ending with an 18-14 overall record and 9-11 in Big Ten play. A late-season slump dashed their March Madness dreams, but there's plenty to unpack from this inaugural season, starting with a closer look at Reed Bailey.
Bailey, who transferred from Davidson after being the Wildcats' standout player, had high expectations coming into Indiana. At Davidson, he averaged 18.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, leading the team in assist rate with an impressive 25.3.
The big question was where he would fit in Indiana’s lineup-power forward or center? Despite his time at power forward with Davidson, Bailey started at center for the Hoosiers until December when Sam Alexis took over.
Even though Bailey shifted out of the starting lineup, his playing time remained consistent, with Indiana rotating him and Alexis at center based on matchups. However, Bailey faced challenges, particularly on offense.
One area where Bailey excelled was drawing fouls, a skill that translated well from his time at Davidson. He drew 6.7 fouls per 40 minutes and boasted a free throw rate of 109.6, placing him in the 99th percentile nationally, converting 75.7% from the line.
Yet, other aspects of his game didn't transition as smoothly. While he was a capable 3-point shooter at Davidson, he attempted only four shots from beyond the arc for the Hoosiers. His offensive struggles extended under the rim, and the passing prowess he displayed as a junior didn't carry over to Indiana.
Here's a snapshot of Bailey's performance:
- Assist rate: Dropped from 25.3 at Davidson to 10.8 at Indiana.
- Turnover rate: Improved slightly from 15.4 to 13.2, but still a concern.
Bailey's passing seemed to be a focus early in the season, with assists in six of the first seven games. However, after tough outings against Minnesota and Louisville, his role shifted, and he saw fewer opportunities to showcase his passing skills. His standout game came against UCLA, where he delivered five assists in a well-rounded performance.
Bailey might have been more effective at power forward, where he could operate from the perimeter and utilize his passing, similar to Tucker DeVries' role. At Davidson, he drove the ball frequently, but at Indiana, he was more off-ball, limiting his impact.
Despite some fan criticism, it's important to note that Bailey's effort and role adherence remained consistent. His challenges around the rim were not new, and he continued to play hard.
What might have helped him shine brighter was a true center alongside him. Indiana experimented with this setup against Ohio State and Northwestern, but chemistry issues with Alexis were evident.
A different center, like Josh Harris, might have provided the balance needed for Bailey to thrive.
As Indiana reflects on the season, there's potential for growth and adjustment, especially with players like Bailey who have the talent to make a significant impact with the right support and positioning.