Film sheds light on Bryson Tucker’s fit for Indiana basketball

When Bryson Tucker committed to Mike Woodson and the Indiana Hoosiers at the end of March, I was intrigued. Yet, despite my initial curiosity, concern began to creep in once Indiana hit the transfer portal and assembled what can only be described as one of the best transfer classes in the nation.

It was hard to see where Tucker would fit. Mackenzie Mgbako returned without going through the NBA Draft process. Once you add the wealth of new talent coming in, the competition for minutes was going to be intense. Sure, Tucker’s resume boasted top tier accolades and recognition as one of the best recruits in the Big Ten, but all of that gets thrown out the window once you arrive on campus. With all the competition, how would Tucker carve out a role for himself?

I decided to do what I know best: watch film. But this time, I didn’t want to evaluate Tucker through my own eyes. Instead, I tried to look at him from the perspective of Mike Woodson and the Indiana coaching staff. What I found left me feeling much more optimistic about his freshman season in Bloomington.

Bryson Tucker underrated skillset

The first thing that struck me was how much I had underrated Tucker’s ball-handling ability. At 6’6″ and 190 pounds, he can handle the basketball at a higher level than he has showcased. During his time at Bishop O’Connell, Tucker played the point forward role in certain situations, using his size and skill to get to his mid-range spots with ease. While his mid range game has been well-documented, I also saw flashes of shooting potential from deep. He has the confidence to stretch the floor, and I’m sure he’s been putting in work this summer to extend his range with more consistency. Being able to play off the ball and stretch the floor will also be instrumental in increasing his time on the court.

Mike Woodson and his staff had success in developing Jalen Hood-Schifino into a legitimate Big Ten point guard. I believe Tucker could be converted into a big combo guard, which could help him secure more minutes in the rotation.

More: Player Q&A: Bryson Tucker – Indiana basketball Media Day

A Positive Depth Challenge

There’s no denying that Indiana has depth at the wing and off-guard positions. However, I see this as a major positive for Tucker. Unlike Hood-Schifino, who was thrust into a leadership role and didn’t have much competition at his position, Tucker will have the luxury of easing into his role. He’ll be able to compete daily against one of the best backcourts in the country, featuring Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle.

While some might view this depth as a potential roadblock to playing time, I believe it will only sharpen Tucker’s skills and prepare him for the grind of Big Ten basketball. Competing with and against talented teammates will allow him to develop without the pressure of carrying the entire perimeter responsibility on his shoulders like Hood-Schifino.

Realistic path to playing time

Given his skill set, I can see Tucker working his way into 15-20 minutes per game in a backcourt role. His size, handle, and scoring ability make him an asset, and he brings a unique dynamic to the table that could give Indiana flexibility in how they structure their rotation.

Of course, Tucker will need to earn his spot. He’ll be competing for minutes with other talented players, but his blend of talent and versatility will help him establish a role. More importantly, he has the opportunity to learn and grow under a coaching staff that has a proven track record of developing talent.

If the Indiana staff can tap into Tucker’s potential, he’ll be more than just another name on a loaded roster. While I had concerns about where Bryson Tucker would fit in initially, my film study has left me feeling much more confident.

And it’s the same reaction from Mike Woodson after seeing Tucker in his system.

“Bryson has come in and shown that he belongs,” Woodson said.

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