When all else fails, the open thread is the way to go, boys and girls. Many of you are clamoring for us to begin previewing the upcoming season and we’ll get to that soon enough. (Patience!) In the meantime, we’ve prepared the following homework assignment for you to complete in the comments. Don’t forget to show your work.

+ Who’s your five: Which five Hoosiers will be on the floor when the season tips off against the mighty Bisons of Howard? And perhaps more importantly, what does the starting five look like by the time the Big Ten season rolls around on December 31?

+ It’s not about who starts, it’s about who finishes: With the game on the line, who will be on the floor?

+ Odd man out:  By our count, minutes will be at a premium this season. Which players will be regulars in the rotation and who will be the odd man (or men) out?

Happy Tuesday.

The guys over at collegehoopsnet.com put together a team-by-team projected starting five for the Big Ten and seeing the projected lineup for our Hoosiers makes you realize that its going to be a long season. Take a look:

INDIANA

G Devan Dumes Jr
G Verdell Jones Fr
G Nick Williams Fr
F Kyle Taber Sr
C Tom Pritchard Fr

6 Malik Story Fr

Notes: Don’t feel bad if you have no clue who these guys are. Die-hard Indiana fans are struggling to figure out their roster as well. Story could start over Williams, and the loser of that battle will be the sixth man. Pritchard should probably win the starting spot over Juco transfer Tijan Jobe, who will end up giving Crean 10-15 mpg a game. SG Matt Roth will probably be the other component of IU’s regular rotation.

A couple of things: If I had to give you two guys who are locks to start, they’d be Dumes and Williams. Based on reports from workouts and a report from someone who watched some open gyms, it’s going to be as Dumes and Williams go, so go the Hoosiers.  I think Jones will get the nod in the backcourt over Story because he’s the better ball handler of the two and will be responsible for helping to create scoring opportunities.

The frontcourt situation is incredibly thin and Taber will certainly be in there given his experience, albeit limited. The battle between Jobe and Pritchard should be interesting, but ultimately I think Pritchard will get the nod with Jobe seeing increased minutes as the season rolls along.

Now that I’ve said my piece, I’m ready to hear your thoughts on the rotation and how you expect things to shake out. Your thoughts in the comments, por favor.