Jordan Dingle makes the ‘ideal running mate’ next to Xavier Johnson

The Indiana basketball program wasted no time to show its interest in one of the top scorers in the transfer portal. Indiana was one of the first programs to reach out to Penn transfer Jordan Dingle.

Dingle was the IVY League Player of the Year in 2022-23 after averaging 23.4 points per game. He ranked second in all of division one in scoring last season.

While Indiana needs scoring in the backcourt, it also needs shooting. Dingle’s ability to shoot the ball at a high rate is something that would match perfectly with Indiana. Last season, Dingle shot 35.6 percent from three while making 2.8 3s a game. He’s a career 34.4 percent three-point shooter and has made 200 3s in three seasons.

With the news of starting point guard Xavier Johnson getting his medical hardship waiver accepted, Dingle could be a perfect fit alongside him in the backcourt.

247Sports writer Isaac Trotter broke down potential landing spots for the 6-foot-3 Dingle, with Indiana being one of them.

“It’s a hand-in-glove fit for both sides,” Trotter wrote. “The Hoosiers have been looking for a secondary ball-handler who can fill it up. Dalton Knecht was high on Indiana’s wish list, but the Northern Colorado transfer picked Tennessee. With point guard Xavier Johnson back for another season, Dingle profiles as an ideal running mate thanks to his excellent catch-and-shoot profile and the ability to make plays off the bounce. Dingle is not a point guard, but he could handle the load when Johnson needs a blow. Indiana has a vault of NIL with oodles of opportunities to be a double-digit scorer in the Big Ten.”

The Hoosiers have Trey Galloway as the only other experienced guard/wing on the roster. While Galloway ranked second in the Big Ten in three-point percentage, he ranked just 63rd in made 3s.

Dingle has averaged 66 made 3s a season and 2.5 made 3s per game for his career.

Despite only playing limited minutes alongside each other this season, the ability to have two ball dominant playmakers like Johnson and Jalen Hood-Schifino is the direction Mike Woodson is looking to have his offense go in. Johnson and Dingle would provide that as well.

While schools like Kentucky, St. John’s and Villanova among others have been tied to Dingle, Indiana makes about as much sense as that group as well. Dingle has immediately become the most attractive available transfer for most programs.

The Indiana basketball program has two available scholarships for the upcoming season. It has landed three forward transfers thus far.

SEE ALSO: Listen: Alec Lasley discusses recent Indiana basketball transfer news, NFL Draft & more

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics.