IU freshman CJ Gunn making winning plays, most of minutes: 'He's in a good place.'

CJ Gunn didn’t score in the first half of IU’s game Sunday against Miami (Ohio). In the first half, he was 0-for-2 from the field, including 0-for-1 from deep.

But the freshman made winning plays. Ones that could be somewhat overlooked. The type of glue plays that — in a close game — can help separate a win from a loss.

When Gunn checked in for the first time Sunday, IU was trailing 10-9. It had been a sloppy, uninspiring start to the game. But look at what Gunn did over a stretch in the first half:

• 10:12 - Steal

• 9:35 - Defensive rebound

• 8:38 - Steal

• 7:05 - Block

• 5:45 - Assist

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By the time he subbed out, IU had taken a 28-21 lead. The Hoosiers went on to flatten Miami in dominant fashion, 86-56. Gunn didn’t have the glamorous stat line of Trayce Jackson-Davis. But he was, in many ways, an important part of IU’s victory. He finished the game with five points, one rebound, two assists, one block, two steals and zero turnovers. He was third on IU in plus/minus at +22.

Gunn played less than 20 minutes Sunday and made the most of them with Trey Galloway out Sunday (precautionary). IU coach Mike Woodson classified Galloway’s injury as a twisted knee, which he had suffered against Xavier. That created an opportunity for Gunn. A performance like Sunday's made a case for Gunn to get more.

“He's in a good place,” Woodson said of Gunn. “I'm not going to sit here and play guys because you guys probably think that this guy should play. If he's called upon, hey, I expect him to come out and play and give us positive minutes.”

Gunn is an intriguing part of this IU team. He came in with arguably the least hype nationally out of IU's four freshmen. There’s also a crowded rotation competing for minutes — such as highly-touted freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino, veteran Miller Kopp, breakout candidate Tamar Bates and Galloway.

Gunn’s potential to be a key part of IU’s future is evident. But this season? How exactly he fits into that equation is still unclear. He had some nice moments in IU’s exhibitions, plus the first two games of the season. But he didn’t play against Xavier.

IU’s depth has been an expected positive so far this season. Gunn’s performance Sunday speaks to that. If IU deals with injuries in its backcourt — like it did Sunday — having someone like Gunn available is a nice luxury.

“We've got a lot of players on this team,” Woodson said. “And I'm not sitting here playing favoritism to anyone. I'm trying to win basketball games, and I'm going to play the guys that I think I can win with, and he (Gunn) has been a part of us winning.”

Take, for instance, these small, but impactful plays Gunn made Sunday.

With less than nine minutes left in the first half, Gunn moved his feet defensively, cutting off a drive, before poking the ball loose. It led to a Malik Reneau transition bucket on the other end.

A few minutes later, Reneau grabbed a defensive rebound and flung an outlet pass to Gunn. Gunn had the awareness to quickly pass to Jackson-Davis down low, which he finished for an and-one.

Late in the second half, Gunn, who was on the wing, caught a pass from Reneau. Gunn could’ve shot the 3, but instead made the extra pass to a wide-open Kaleb Banks, who knocked down the shot from deep.

“I grew up always having that ‘dawg’ in me on both ends of the floor,” Gunn said in July. “And I feel like it’s really important to me to be a two-way player.”

More specifically on the offensive end, another aspect where Gunn could make an impact is 3-point shooting, an area IU has struggled in recent seasons. He was just 1-of-4 from deep Sunday. But he was known as a good shooter at Lawrence North. The elevation he gets on his shot is especially notable.

But even if he isn’t hitting 3s, he can provide energy and effort off the bench. That’s what he did Sunday. Winning teams need those types of things. How the rest of the season unfolds for Gunn is unknown, but Sunday was an encouraging sign of his development.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Hoosiers basketball: Freshman CJ Gunn impressing in cameos