Who is Hungrier? IU Fans or Players?

Written By: Joel Wonder (@cabbyfromgreene)

Fans are aware of the recent NCAA tournament drought that the Indiana men’s basketball team has endured over the past three years. In the modern era of basketball, there have been instant turnarounds in other major programs across the country and the IU fans are quick to point this out when the topic arises.

So it's safe to say that the Hoosier faithful are hungry to see this program get back to the dance and hopefully regain a blue-blood status. There are currently two seniors (De’ron Davis and Devonte Green) on the 2019-20 roster that have also not been dancing. 

The idea of IU basketball players going four years without making the NCAA tournament is unfathomable. I’m sure that neither player ever imagined that possibility when they signed their letter of intent. 

“Hungry” is a term often used in basketball which characterizes a player with obvious talent who has something to prove. Last year there were two players that were very hungry to prove they had the talent to play on the next level. They had very defined roles and everyone from fans to players knew which guys were going to get the majority of shots. The problem was that the opposition also knew this fact and they became very efficient at stopping both Juwan and Romeo.

The current roster isn't built the same. There are a few defined roles going forward, but the are many more questions. Who is going to step up? Who is going to break out this year? Which players are going to carve out a significant role going forward?

The answers remain to be seen, but I know that the majority of the players on this roster have something to prove. Hungry you might say?! Starving might be a better term.

Can Devonte Green be a consistent leader who scores 15-plus a game? Does De’ron Davis have the physical capability to play more than 25 minutes per outing? Can Joey Brunk play effectively in the B1G? Can Rob Phinisee run the point and distribute the ball effectively? Will Jerome Hunter ever see the court?

There are hungry freshmen and sophomores that want playing time and would have no problem taking minutes from players like Al Durham or Justin Smith. Hungry guys that, by all accounts, are proud to wear the jersey and who have been recruited to fit the current system. 

As a fan, I’m also starving for success as well as many others who follow Indiana basketball religiously. Fans and players alike are hungry. It's time for a feast.