Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO: Armaan Franklin Seizes Freshman Opportunity
11/8/2019 5:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- It won't last, of course, this mind-boggling assist-to-turnover ratio Indiana freshman guard Armaan Franklin has unleashed upon the college basketball world.
Eight assists and no turnovers in a college debut is freaky good.
Think of all the great guards in Hoosier history – Isiah Thomas, Eric Gordon, Yogi Ferrell, Steve Alford and more – who have never done it.
Yes, it's a tiny sample -- IU's win over Western Illinois on Tuesday night -- in what will be a long season. Sure, it came against an opponent that will remind no one of, say, Kentucky.
Still …
It's the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the Big Ten. It's the best in the country.
"It's making the simple play," Franklin says. "It's finding the open man. If I have a shot, take it, but mostly find the open man."
Adds coach Archie Miller: "I couldn't be more pleased with Armaan in terms of what he's been able to handle and what we've asked him to do."
How could he not be?
Franklin plays fearless with a fierce competitor's edge and versatility. It's a benefit from playing strong Indianapolis high school competition -- he thrived at Cathedral -- as well as in the Nike EYBL travel ball circuit.
Now he's making a big impact at a position – he rarely played in high school.
Did anyone expect this?
Franklin didn't.
"If you had told me I'd be playing point guard right now," he says, "I wouldn't have believed you."
Adds Miller: "Armaan is the only guy that even surprises me a little bit.
"You thrust those young guys in there, they get their feet wet, and next thing you know, they grow up right before your eyes."
Growth has seen Franklin seize the limelight, with more to come, perhaps Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall against Portland State (1-0).
"Whatever they want me to do," he says, "I'll do it."
Franklin was recruited to be a combo guard. Injuries have forced him into a point guard role for now, but it came with a silver lining: Franklin would get an unexpected chance to boost his skills, and he's made the most of it.
"He's gotten a lot of extended minutes and reps because of the injuries," Miller says. "Would we know as much about him as we do now? Probably not if things were good.
"Armaan will play a heavy role in November. We have a lot of confidence in him."
Franklin wasn't perfect against Western Illinois. He was just 1-for-5 from the field, 0-for-2 from three-point range. Still, he went 3-for-4 from the line and totaled five points and five rebounds.
"He didn't score as much, which is going to happen," Miller says, "but eight assists was really big for him."
It was a solid follow-up to Franklin's 12-point, eight-rebound, four-assist, three-steal effort in 35 exhibition minutes against NCAA Division II Gannon, which was a strong follow-up to his team-leading 14 points in a private scrimmage against Marquette.
How does he do it?
For one thing, he listens to his veteran teammates. Junior guard Al Durham has been a huge influence.
"He'd pull me off to the side (in practice) to show me my reads," Frankin says.
For another, Franklin doesn't sweat the big or small stuff. Take, for instance, the adjustment from high school to college.
"It hasn't been that hard," he says. "We have a good group of upperclassmen who helped. They told me what I need to do. I just have to do whatever I need to do to contribute."
Doing what he's told is a big theme for Franklin, who leans on veteran guards Devonte Green, Rob Phinisee and Al Durham for guidance and insight.
"They showed us the ropes," Franklin says, "and then showed us what it's going to be like to play in the Big Ten. What we can get away with and what we can't."
Franklin got an up-close-and-personal view of high-quality guard play Tuesday night from Durham. The junior guard had the best shooting performance in a season opener in program history. He was 7-for-7 from the field, including 3-for-3 from three-point range, for 21 points.
"He's an important part of what we do," Miller says of Durham.
In an injury free Hoosier world, Green would be getting major minutes and Franklin would be trying to thrive in a reserve off-guard role.
But injuries have sidelined Green, and hindered Durham and Phinisee over much of the last month. Franklin has had to assume a burden most would have figured was a year away.
He's made the most of it.
"Armaan has done a great job," Durham says. "He's had to step up. I've been trying to help him along the way, giving him tips and pointers."
The 6-4 Franklin arrived on campus last summer in the shadow of the more heralded Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana's Mr. Basketball and a five-star prospect.
Franklin rated in the 130s nationally by recruiting experts despite an all-state career at Cathedral that included senior numbers of 23.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
He was considered a good, but not great, addition.
Now, well, Franklin has played far beyond expectations.
"He's been really good," Jackson-Davis says. "He's been shooting at a high rate, playing really well. He wants to keep improving and earn his time on the floor."
So far, so good.
Franklin was one of three newcomers to start against Western Illinois. Jackson-Davis and Butler transfer Joey Brunk joined him.
Franklin and Jackson-Davis impressed Western Illinois coach Billy Wright.
"Their young guys are coming along well. It's not easy playing freshmen at any level. They're doing the right things in the off-season to get their team ready."
As far as IU overall, Wright says he was most impressed with the Hoosiers' "Toughness, physicality and versatility."
"They can play small and big."
Expect the Hoosiers to do both Saturday against Portland State, which is coming off a 94-69 win over Puget Sound. Five Vikings scored in double figures, and five others scored at least five points.
Miller wants better defense and continued efficient offense. He wants the Hoosiers to attack on offense and disrupt on defense.
Franklin will play a huge role in that.
"I just try to seize every opportunity I can. You can't get down when you make a mistake. You've got to play with high confidence."
He certainly is.
"At the end of the day, he'll do what you ask him to do," Miller says. "He works at it."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- It won't last, of course, this mind-boggling assist-to-turnover ratio Indiana freshman guard Armaan Franklin has unleashed upon the college basketball world.
Eight assists and no turnovers in a college debut is freaky good.
Think of all the great guards in Hoosier history – Isiah Thomas, Eric Gordon, Yogi Ferrell, Steve Alford and more – who have never done it.
Yes, it's a tiny sample -- IU's win over Western Illinois on Tuesday night -- in what will be a long season. Sure, it came against an opponent that will remind no one of, say, Kentucky.
Still …
It's the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the Big Ten. It's the best in the country.
"It's making the simple play," Franklin says. "It's finding the open man. If I have a shot, take it, but mostly find the open man."
Adds coach Archie Miller: "I couldn't be more pleased with Armaan in terms of what he's been able to handle and what we've asked him to do."
How could he not be?
Franklin plays fearless with a fierce competitor's edge and versatility. It's a benefit from playing strong Indianapolis high school competition -- he thrived at Cathedral -- as well as in the Nike EYBL travel ball circuit.
Now he's making a big impact at a position – he rarely played in high school.
Did anyone expect this?
Franklin didn't.
"If you had told me I'd be playing point guard right now," he says, "I wouldn't have believed you."
Adds Miller: "Armaan is the only guy that even surprises me a little bit.
"You thrust those young guys in there, they get their feet wet, and next thing you know, they grow up right before your eyes."
Growth has seen Franklin seize the limelight, with more to come, perhaps Saturday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall against Portland State (1-0).
"Whatever they want me to do," he says, "I'll do it."
Franklin was recruited to be a combo guard. Injuries have forced him into a point guard role for now, but it came with a silver lining: Franklin would get an unexpected chance to boost his skills, and he's made the most of it.
"He's gotten a lot of extended minutes and reps because of the injuries," Miller says. "Would we know as much about him as we do now? Probably not if things were good.
"Armaan will play a heavy role in November. We have a lot of confidence in him."
Franklin wasn't perfect against Western Illinois. He was just 1-for-5 from the field, 0-for-2 from three-point range. Still, he went 3-for-4 from the line and totaled five points and five rebounds.
"He didn't score as much, which is going to happen," Miller says, "but eight assists was really big for him."
It was a solid follow-up to Franklin's 12-point, eight-rebound, four-assist, three-steal effort in 35 exhibition minutes against NCAA Division II Gannon, which was a strong follow-up to his team-leading 14 points in a private scrimmage against Marquette.
How does he do it?
For one thing, he listens to his veteran teammates. Junior guard Al Durham has been a huge influence.
"He'd pull me off to the side (in practice) to show me my reads," Frankin says.
For another, Franklin doesn't sweat the big or small stuff. Take, for instance, the adjustment from high school to college.
"It hasn't been that hard," he says. "We have a good group of upperclassmen who helped. They told me what I need to do. I just have to do whatever I need to do to contribute."
Doing what he's told is a big theme for Franklin, who leans on veteran guards Devonte Green, Rob Phinisee and Al Durham for guidance and insight.
"They showed us the ropes," Franklin says, "and then showed us what it's going to be like to play in the Big Ten. What we can get away with and what we can't."
Franklin got an up-close-and-personal view of high-quality guard play Tuesday night from Durham. The junior guard had the best shooting performance in a season opener in program history. He was 7-for-7 from the field, including 3-for-3 from three-point range, for 21 points.
"He's an important part of what we do," Miller says of Durham.
In an injury free Hoosier world, Green would be getting major minutes and Franklin would be trying to thrive in a reserve off-guard role.
But injuries have sidelined Green, and hindered Durham and Phinisee over much of the last month. Franklin has had to assume a burden most would have figured was a year away.
He's made the most of it.
"Armaan has done a great job," Durham says. "He's had to step up. I've been trying to help him along the way, giving him tips and pointers."
The 6-4 Franklin arrived on campus last summer in the shadow of the more heralded Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana's Mr. Basketball and a five-star prospect.
Franklin rated in the 130s nationally by recruiting experts despite an all-state career at Cathedral that included senior numbers of 23.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
He was considered a good, but not great, addition.
Now, well, Franklin has played far beyond expectations.
"He's been really good," Jackson-Davis says. "He's been shooting at a high rate, playing really well. He wants to keep improving and earn his time on the floor."
So far, so good.
Franklin was one of three newcomers to start against Western Illinois. Jackson-Davis and Butler transfer Joey Brunk joined him.
Franklin and Jackson-Davis impressed Western Illinois coach Billy Wright.
"Their young guys are coming along well. It's not easy playing freshmen at any level. They're doing the right things in the off-season to get their team ready."
As far as IU overall, Wright says he was most impressed with the Hoosiers' "Toughness, physicality and versatility."
"They can play small and big."
Expect the Hoosiers to do both Saturday against Portland State, which is coming off a 94-69 win over Puget Sound. Five Vikings scored in double figures, and five others scored at least five points.
Miller wants better defense and continued efficient offense. He wants the Hoosiers to attack on offense and disrupt on defense.
Franklin will play a huge role in that.
"I just try to seize every opportunity I can. You can't get down when you make a mistake. You've got to play with high confidence."
He certainly is.
"At the end of the day, he'll do what you ask him to do," Miller says. "He works at it."
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