Jeremy Hollowell’s Benching Warranted as He’s Been Biggest Part of Indiana Hoosiers’ Problems

January 11, 2014 3:56 pm EDT by

Ben Woloszyn-USA TODAY Sports

Happy Valley, PA- We knew Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Crean was sending a message to sophomore guard Jeremy Hollowell when he didn’t start him today against the Penn State Nittany Lions. But when Crean didn’t play Hollowell at all I knew something more was going on.

Hollowell has been bad. Actually bad is a nice word for how dismal he’s been. He’s been a cancer to this team which has caused them to start the conference season 0-2 and has been actually a huge part to why Indiana has lost all five games.

This season was supposed to be a breakout year for the 6-foot-8 sophomore. He has all the skills and tools to be an NBA talent. There was even talk that the Indianapolis native could have gone pro out of high school if he was allowed.

Hollowell is big enough to create his own shot. He is a very good shooter that can rise up over anyone, and he’s also very fast and athletic so dribble driving isn’t an issue for him. That’s why Indiana was supposed to be an NCAA Tournament threat this year as he was inserted in the starting lineup and allowed to showcase all of those tools.

Unfortunately, he’s been anything but.

He’s been lazy and for the most part doesn’t look like he even cares to be there. His performance is showing that.

In the last two games he played, he’s got a total of four points while going a combined 1-for-11 from the field and 0-for-4 behind the arc. In fact, he hasn’t hit a three since Dec. 7 as he’s 0-for-10 from behind the arc, 11-for-39 from the field and has committed 10 turnovers since the Dec. 10 game against Oakland.

In Indiana’s five losses, Hollowell has shot a combined 5-for-28 (17 percent) from the field, 0-for-9 from three-point land and committed 12 turnovers combined in those games. That’s not the effort Indiana is looking for out of their starting shooting-guard in those games. That’s why he’s been one of the biggest reasons why Indiana has lost five games.

I don’t think it’s a fluke he didn’t play a single minute this afternoon and Indiana pulled out a win on the road. The team showed fight and a pulse after a bad start. If Hollowell was in there that likely wouldn’t have happened.

Hollowell now has to find out if he wants to be a basketball player at Indiana University anymore. That type of selfishness and lack of effort isn’t needed at not just Indiana but any school. He needs to think long and hard about his future because he’s not needed at Indiana anymore.

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  • Carl Lundgren

    I couldn’t agree more. I’ve watched the Hoosiers in every game they’ve played so far and all I can say is, it’s about time Crean benched Hollowell. The expression on his face tells the story. No emotion, no effort and as a result, no production. If his attitude changes, great ! But if not, let him get splinters.

  • Peter Delevett

    Hollowell has been played out of position all season. Crean’s idea to turn him into a Magic Johnson type guard is ridiculous. Considering how badly sheehy has underperformed this season, I wouldn’t mind seeing a front court of Williams, vonleigh and Hollowell, with either Gordon or possibly Robinson starting at the two. Why not give it a try? Crean has athletes for days, let’s try to run some people out of the gym

  • Derek Taylor

    I can’t believe this guy actually thinks Hollowell has all the “skills and tools” to be an NBA player and that he is “very fast” and “athletic.” Either he is completely delusional or has never watched him play. Hollowell can’t dribble on or take it in against athletic players at all. Every time he tries to drive on someone he either loses it or gets his shit handed back to him. He isn’t quick and he can’t get the step on anyone and this is why he constantly throws up wild shit shots that have no chance of going in. And to call Hollowell streaky from outside would be an understatement. There is no proof that this kid is anything close to being a good outside shooter. And the notion of Hollowell declaring for the NBA draft out of HS is a bigger joke than Anthony Bennett being the no. 1 pick. For it to be brought up as a serious point in this article is ridiculous. At the Big Ten level this kid has absolutely nothing going for him. You can count on him to get his 12 or 14 against Nichols St. but there is no way in hell he belongs in the big ten. I would trade him to get Fischer back any day.

  • skotchie

    A cancer? He’s the sole reason for the losing? You can infer from the look on his face what type of work ethic he has? Selfishness and not needed at IU anymore?? You seem to get awfully personal towards a 19 yr old kid here. If anyones selfish I’d say it’s you trying to build a rep by destroying a 19 yr old kid.

  • Andy

    Indiana is 2-0 with Hollowell sitting with a road win at Penn State and a home win against #3 Wisconsin. Any questions?

  • ExMeaSententia

    I don’t buy the “blame Hollowell for the 5 losses” argument. I think there’s a better case for a “blame Sheehy for the 5 losses” argument. His stat line this year isn’t all that impressive for a senior who was expected to assume a major role this year.