Cody Zeller quietly goes about business

Cody Zeller has the skills and worth ethic to be one of the top college basketball players. But right now, as a freshman, he’s letting the game come to him.

In the Hoosiers first preseason game, the McDonald’s All-American wasn’t on the stat sheet until about ten minutes in, despite starting. Indiana was victorious over the University of Indianapolis in their lone exhibition game 90-72.

Attracting a double team is nothing new for freshman Cody Zeller. (Photo via IU Athletics)

IU was clearly the better team, and proved it over the 40 minutes of play. They liked to get out and run and will put on an emphasis on transition baskets all year long. They also have a strong cast of shooters with Matt Roth, Jordan Hulls, and Austin Etherington. There’s no question to this point, sophomore Will Sheehey has made the most improvement from his freshman campaign.

Sheehey is confident on the dribble, he can drive and kick, or he can pull up for a 8-foot jumper. All are positives for IU to have a very capable shooter and athletic body throwing his body around for the team.

Now to Zeller, the guy Hoosier fans were ecstatic to finally see in the cream and crimson. In high school, he was the dominant guy on the floor and able to move as he liked. On Saturday he battled 6-7 Wilbur O’Neal and hung in there. Like many others on the team, Cody has added a lot of muscle and weight to his lean frame for which he’ll be thankful for come Big Ten season.

“(Cody) Zeller is unbelievable, he’s large,” UIndy Coach Stan Gouard said postgame. “We tried to post double and he never panicked. He did a great job of kicking the ball out to shooters and those guys knocked shots down. If they keep doing that they’re going to be tough to beat because he’s going to draw a double team every night.”

Zeller finished with nearly a double-double, tallying 16 points and eight rebounds against Division II Indianapolis. He impressed in various fashions. A defender was called for a flagrant one foul after barreling Zeller over yet he was able to somehow make the basket. Later he had a great looking rebound-put back and in the second half Zeller finished an alley-hoop.

He is a game-changer for Indiana and they know it. Head coach Tom Crean wants Cody to touch the ball most possessions because he has recognized that’s when their best play comes. Zeller can finish around the rim, something this team hasn’t had the last three years. His strong passing ability to find open teammates will pay dividends as they work it inside-out. We saw that scenario on multiple occasions Saturday and it won’t stop anytime soon.

When IU is completely healthy, they will make certainly surprise a few teams. I like having Hulls, Sheehey, Watford and Zeller on the floor at the same time because they all can create and help the Hoosiers in a combination of ways.

Coach Crean does not select captains because he doesn’t believe leaders are captains and captains are leaders. He wants each player to own up and take a leadership role in some capacity. While Crean won’t point any player out, the players are quick to anoint junior guard Jordan Hulls as the player who exhibits the best leadership roles. And thank goodness because as the point guard, he’s the coach on the floor.

Indiana showed great progress from last year Saturday in the exhibition game. Most notably, the talent level has clearly increased. Playing is no longer the easiest thing for the players, and now every position has steady competition.

One thing is for certain — although Zeller was huge recruiting wise, he’s going to be a dangerous force for other teams to contend with. He’s a game-changer.

(Note: I broadcast the exhibition game with former Hoosier Eric Gordon. It will re-air on the Big Ten Network Tuesday, Nov. 8th at 2 pm. Click here to watch our postgame wrap).

Following the win, Jordan Hulls, Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller talked to the media. Watch below (via IU Athletics):

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