The Inside the Hall Mailbag is a collection of questions tweeted to us via Twitter (@insidethehall) and sent to us via our Facebook page. Submit your questions and we’ll answer as many as we can. Now, onward … 

@hmc210 writes: What are the chances IU makes the tourney this year?

Alex Bozich: At this point the chances seem fairly good. Assuming Indiana finishes the non-conference 12-1 (that includes a February non-conference game with North Carolina Central), they’d probably need eight Big Ten wins to become a legitimate candidate to be included in the NCAA Tournament field.

With the strength of the conference in the computer rankings thus far, it’s hard to imagine a 20-win Big Ten team not making the field. But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves just yet. Given Indiana’s struggles down the stretch over the past few seasons, there’s plenty left to play out once the conference schedule rolls around.

@HBHoosier writes: Do you think IU tries playing any zone defense on Saturday?

Justin Albers: Yes. I think Tom Crean will show Kentucky a number of different looks to keep the Wildcats on their toes. Part of the reason for this is IU will have matchup problems all over the court. Who’s going to guard Terrence Jones? Who gets Marquis Teague? What about Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?

Because Kentucky doesn’t have a good number of 3-point shooters, zone should be effective in short bursts. It would make sense for IU to slow the game down in such a manner because Kentucky could turn it into a dunk fest in a hurry.

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The Inside the Hall Mailbag is a collection of questions tweeted to us via Twitter (@insidethehall) and sent to us via our Facebook page. Submit your questions and we’ll answer as many as we can. Now, onward … 

@MitchellBMitch writes: what are your expectations 4 Elston this season & do you think he could be an x factor in helping #iubb make a tourney in 11?

Alex Bozich: If he stays healthy, Elston should have a role as an energy player than can rebound, finish some plays around the basket and also knock down some perimeter jump shots. As we found out late this past summer, injuries a season ago really hampered his ability to defend or make explosive plays.

At times he’s too quick to settle for the jumper, but it’s always been a part of his game since I first saw him play in high school. I’m not sure I’d call him a X-factor as I’d lean more towards Will Sheehey or Victor Oladipo in that role, but he’s certainly got the ability to make an impact.

Mark Shlyankevich via Facebook writes: Do you see Will Sheehey as a full time starter this year?

Ryan Corazza: At this juncture, Sheehey appears to be penciled into Tom Crean’s starting lineup. And as long as he keeps doing what he’s been doing, he’s likely to remain for the foreseeable future. The Florida native’s improved jumper gives the Hoosiers another perimeter shooting threat alongside Jordan Hulls. Crean also noted at Big Ten Media Day that Sheehey is getting closer to having the consistency he likes on defense, which is another notch in his cap.

If he can bring some strong offensive rebounding to the table as well — he was third in offensive rebounding percentage out of regular returners heading into this season — it should bode well for him remaining in the starting five.

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The Inside the Hall Mailbag is a collection of questions tweeted to us via Twitter (@insidethehall) and sent to us via our Facebook page. Submit your questions and we’ll answer as many as we can. Now, onward … (Photo credit: Jamie Owens of J. Scott Sports)

Damon VanHook writes via Facebook: During Hoosier Hysteria, Christian Watford was in a boot, Why and for how long?

Alex Bozich: Watford was held out of Hoosier Hysteria after suffering a minor injury to his right foot, but is not expected to miss a significant amount of time. He seemed to be moving well on it during the player introductions at Hysteria and even did a little dancing, so holding him out was likely a precautionary measure. Saturday’s Haunted Hall of Hoops at Assembly Hall should give us a better idea of where things stand with Watford.

@alex_idle writes: How big of a role will Remy Abell have in this offense this year? Used as an energizer on offense?

Alex Bozich: Abell’s main duties will be to take care of the ball and get into the lane and finish or distribute to teammates. He probably won’t take a ton of perimeter shots, but he’s capable of knocking them down when given the opportunity.

But back to his ability to get into the lane because it’s something Tom Crean has talked about quite a bit: This is a dimension IU didn’t have a season ago. If Abell is able to do it consistently, he’ll play a fair share of minutes because it will cause defenses to collapse. That in turn will open up outside shooters and create opportunities to dump the ball off to the post.

@HoosierDaddy10 writes: how is Verdells playing time and position going to shake out this season in your opinion. Starter?

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