Trevor Manhertz Focusing on Defensive Growth as Offense Will Come

Indiana Hoosiers freshman forward Trevor Manhertz has been thrust into the fire early and is responding like a pro. The 6’9″ first year player out of Cary, North Carolina came to Indiana with an offensive skillset that was coveted by both Duke and Louisville. However, early this season, Manhertz is focusing on his defensive game.

“I’m just trying to do my role, play defense. Offense will come. Everyone has good games, bad games. But defense travels, so if I don’t play good defense, I can’t get a role.” Manhertz said after Indiana’s win over Bellarmine on Thursday night.

In the Hoosiers’ first two regular season games, Manhertz is averaging 17 minutes. In that time he is filling up the box score. While he is averaging 10 points per game, his defensive statistics have been good as well. Manhertz is averaging 3.5 rebounds per game and has a block and a steal while only fouling twice.

While he has made the adjustment to defense look easy, it has not been.

“I would say it’s been really hard. Coming out of high school, I was mainly just focused on my offense. Defense, I didn’t really take much time into. But I think coming here and just talking with Coach Rod, who’s pretty much my right-hand man, he’s just emphasized defense, and that really makes a big part just having someone like that emphasizing and trusting me.” Manhertz said.

While Manhertz is 6’9″ he still has the body of a first-year college player and needs to fill out physically. However, that is not stopping him from being more physical now than he was in high school.

“I think just knowing I’m small, like I’m not the heaviest dude out there, so I’m eventually going to get bodied, and if I’m not fighting back, there’s nothing I can do.” Manhertz said.

Indiana head coach Darian DeVries believes Manhertz can continue to develop in a major contributor for this year’s team.

“Trevor is just so early in his college career, but I love just his knowledge of the game, his feel for the game, his length. You saw him today, he had a big block. There’s just so much there,” DeVries said. “For a young college player playing his first two college games, he’s only going to continue to get better and better, and he works incredibly hard. He’s not a very big thick guy, but he’s not scared. He sticks his nose in there. He’ll go mix it up, and that allows him even with his body type to get in there and show some physicality. He’ll only continue to get better and better.”

His teammates are taking notice at how he prepares and practices. “I think if you were to watch this team and not know anything about him, you wouldn’t be able to tell he’s a freshman out there. He’s real versatile. He plays really hard. He does everything on the court. He’s made a lot of growth since day one coming here.” Darren Harris said of Manhertz.

The Hoosiers are 2-0 early in the season and will have their first big test on Monday night when the face the Syracuse Orange at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.