Column: Defense should lead IU to top Hatters

Stetson

25th Anniversary of the 1987 Championship team
3 p.m. autograph session,
4:15 p.m. tip-off
Assembly Hall
Streaming on BTN.com,
IU Radio Network

Scouting Stetson
Conference: Atlantic Sun
Head coach: Casey Alexander, first season
Last season: 8-23, no postseason
Leading scorer: Junior center No. 41 Adam Pegg, 13.7 ppg
Leading rebounder: Junior guard No. 12 Joel Naburgs, 6.5 rpg

Projected starters    
G Jordan Hulls, 11.1 ppg
G Verdell Jones III, 9.0
G Victor Oladipo, 12.1
F Christian Watford, 10.6
F Cody Zeller, 15.4

G Chris Perez ,11.7 ppg
G Joel Naburgs, 8.5
G Aaron Graham, 10.0
F Liam McInerney, 7.2
C Adam Pegg, 13.7

My take
Much like the Savannah State or Gardner-Webb games, I expect IU to steamroll the Hatters (bonus points for an awesome team nickname). Where the Hoosiers can really cause some damage in this matchup is on the defensive end of the ball, as Stetson is averaging 22 turnovers a game. If IU continues to create offense from its defense, the Hoosiers should win easily.

After a landmark win at NC State Wednesday and a date with No. 1 Kentucky coming up Dec. 10 in Bloomington, this game could easily be overlooked. However, I don’t think the Hatters pose enough of a challenge to take advantage of any Hoosier mental lapses.

Pick to click: Cody Zeller
Bet to the campus: If IU loses, I’ll chug a gallon of milk.