After Missing First Two Games, Johnson is the X-Factor For Indiana Against Penn State

Johnson's best performance since returning came at Maryland, where he scored 13 points and dished out six assists while matching up against first-team All-Big Ten guard Jahmir Young.  His quickness on the offensive end has led to the Hoosiers playing with more of an uptempo pace, and he gives Indiana an important third ball-handler along with Trey Galloway and Gabe Cupps. 

Against Penn State, Johnson should help Indiana beat Penn State's press more easily. Defensively, he gives Indiana a second option, along with Galloway, in its efforts to stifle Baldwin. Galloway was limited to just seven minutes on Sunday against Michigan State due to a knee injury, which could make Johnson even more important to the Hoosiers' chances on Thursday.

Mike Rhoades is in his first season coaching Penn State, and he's familiar with Johnson, a Woodbridge, Va., native, dating back to his time coaching VCU from 2017-2023.

"He's a vet, and he's had a lot of success in his college career," Rhoades said of Johnson on Wednesday. "I watched him from high school all the way through, and he's a very talented player. There's a calming presence when he's out there with his teammates. You saw that the last few games. He's sure of himself, and I think he gives confidence to his teammates that way. So we'll have our hands full."

Thursday's matchup represents the first time either Indiana or Penn State will have played any opponent three times in the 2023-24 season. They will be ultra familiar with each other's play style and tendencies. 

Rhoades said Wednesday Penn State will do some things differently and make a few counters this time around. Such is the nature of basketball. But holistically, the Nittany Lions won't change their uptempo offensive attack and full-court pressure defense. 

"With the pieces we have and where we're at, there's not a lot of things we can just change on the fly," Rhoades said. ''Our style of play at this time of the year really helps us because, if you turn people over late in the year and you capitalize on it, it's tough to battle that stuff and compete against that. They're playing really well. Xavier is back. They've got another ball handler. But it's that time of the year, man. You've got to double knot the shoes and see what happens."