Column: Remy Abell will always be there to step up

By the end of the Hoosiers’ 66-53 victory over Georgia in the Progressive Legends Classic, senior guard Jordan Hulls and junior guard Victor Oladipo stole the show – combining for 29 points and a number of momentum changers.
           
But what should not get overlooked is the play of Remy Abell in the first half, when IU could not buy a bucket and looked completely out of sync offensively.
           
As soon as Abell entered the game, the sophomore guard from Louisville hit a silky smooth jumper – perhaps the most improved aspect of his game from last season – to draw IU within three points at 12-9.
           
By the end of the half, Abell had six points, three rebounds and one assist, and it was clear that his effort and presence on the floor was a stabilizing force for the Hoosiers.
           
“Remy is such a great kid and he is one of the most loved guys on our team,” IU Coach Tom Crean said. “He can get to the rim, he can play ball-screen, he can shoot the three, he can get to the foul line, he can make passes and he is becoming a more tenacious defender all of the time, so he fits us really well.”
           
While what Crean listed is what makes Abell a special player physically, the biggest intangible that Remy brings to the Hoosiers is the fact that he relishes the opportunity to be a “role player” on a successful team.
           
Any time you ask him about his individual performance, he always comes back to the idea of doing whatever it takes for the team.

“I’m just trying to come off of the bench and do my part by making an impact on the defensive and offensive end to help my team win,” Abell said. “It’s been my focus for the season. Coming off to do what I can to help the team.”
           
Remy, who finished with eight points, will never be the selfish player on the court, trying too hard to prove himself for more minutes. Instead, he is the guy that out-works opposing players and makes it difficult for his coaches to take him out.
           
“Tonight, he did some really, really good things and we didn’t want to take him off of the floor,” Crean said. “That’s one of the beauties of this team with the back court right now and when we get the front line like that, that will help us.”
           
At times last season, it seemed as if Abell had fallen out of favor in the rotation, but when Verdell Jones III went down in the first game of the Big Ten tournament, it was Abell that filled VJ III’s shoes.
           
That’s the type of player and person Abell is.
           
When the opportunity arises and the Hoosiers need some one to step-up, Remy is ready.

“He continues to gain confidence and I continue to say that he doesn’t have really any idea of how good he’s going to be,” Crean said.
           
If Crean’s right, Abell will be the person that puts the Hoosiers over the top this season.

Guys like Remy Abell turn good teams into championship teams because they are the glue that brings all of the pieces together and don’t care if other guys steal the headlines – as long as it’s a victorious headline.

“I really don’t mind,” Abell said. “I’m trying to play my role to help my team win.”