Indiana vs. Butler at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 5 p.m. Saturday, BTN

BLOOMINGTON — Though he couldn't contribute on the court last year, Josh Newkirk was laying the groundwork for Indiana's promise-filled 2016-17 season.

A Pitt transfer finally recovered from knee surgery, Newkirk gathered regular praise from coach Tom Crean and teammates for the importance of his behind-the-scenes impact, as he rode out his transfer season and watched the Hoosiers win a Big Ten title.

Nine games — including Saturday’s 103-61 demolition of outclassed Houston Baptist — into his IU career, Newkirk’s on-the-court performances have revealed a more complex adaptation process for the Hoosiers’ new point guard, one that holds great promise, even if it’s nowhere near complete.

“He’s got a lot of room to improve,” Crean said Saturday. “That’s a good thing.”

Newkirk has been at times both exactly what No. 9 Indiana (8-1) needed, and exactly what it didn't.

He is both IU’s best assist man and also too turnover-prone. He’s shooting 41.7 percent from behind the 3-point line, reminiscent more of his strong freshman season at Pitt than his injury-hit sophomore season, yet he is shooting just 13-of-34 on two-pointers, a reflection of both inconsistent decision making and problems with finishing. A 13-of-21 mark from the free-throw line screams for improvement.

With 10 points, Saturday was Newkirk's third double-figure scoring game of the season (James Blackmon Jr. led the Hoosiers with 18 points), and it was the seventh time in nine games that Newkirk has handed out at least three assists. Last Sunday against Southeast Missouri State, he had eight.

But there’s a broader importance to Newkirk’s growing comfort with his surroundings and his teammates.

When Crean breaks down video, trying to handicap his team’s persistent turnover problems, he sees a group still not quite in sync offensively.

“There’s certain parts (of turnover issues) that we have to get better at, but there’s some that’s just going to take some time for that togetherness that I’m talking about on the court,” Crean said. “It’s his first year and he hadn’t been in that situation before, and guys are getting used to playing with each other.”

Count Newkirk a part of that, not for the same reasons as players who lost their offseasons to injuries, but because in terms of games in an Indiana uniform, he’s no more experienced than his freshman teammates.

“I think that as we continue to grow, our chemistry will, and so will his leadership skills,” junior guard Rob Johnson said. “That’s something that’s big for us. Him really commanding the offense and getting guys in the right spots will be something that helps us get better.”

Which makes nights like Saturday and understated, smart performances important.

Newkirk must become more efficient. He must finish better. He must cut down on a 25.6 percent turnover rate, highest among IU starters.

But much more than that, he must become comfortable enough to command, to make his voice heard, as Johnson talked about, when his team needs it most.

Crean said Saturday that Newkirk “has got to improve in all areas,” specifically mentioning “explosiveness with the ball” as a focus over the past week.

“His steps,” Crean said. “His stride. Playing with great speed.”

It's another step forward for IU’s oldest new face — in fact, its oldest player, period — and a point guard whose growth between now and March will be critical to the fate of IU’s promising season.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.

Indiana vs. Butler at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 5 p.m. Saturday, BTN