Indiana men's basketball coach Darian DeVries addressed the team's recent skid and NCAA tournament outlook during the final radio show of the 2025-26 season on March 9. After losing five of their last six games, including a defeat at Ohio State, the Hoosiers face a critical Big Ten Tournament matchup against either Penn State or Northwestern. Athletic director Scott Dolson praised DeVries' efforts in building the program's foundation.
On Monday night, Indiana coach Darian DeVries joined host Don Fischer for the last edition of 'Inside IU Basketball' of the season. DeVries reflected on the Hoosiers' loss at Ohio State, where the Buckeyes shot 59 percent from the field. "We just weren't able to get him under control," DeVries said of neutralizing Ohio State's Bruce Thornton. He noted adjustments at halftime to emphasize dribble-drives but acknowledged the lead proved insurmountable.
DeVries highlighted positives from a recent win over Minnesota on senior night, calling it "one of our more complete games" and a solid Quad 2 victory. He praised forward Sam Alexis for providing rebounding and scoring, stating, "He's been playing really good basketball down the stretch... his best basketball of his career."
Regarding the NCAA tournament, DeVries remains optimistic. "We're right there on the bubble," he said, emphasizing the team's strong case compared to other contenders. "Our guys' mindset is still great. We still have everything in front of us." The Hoosiers began film study on potential first-round opponents Penn State and Northwestern, with DeVries expecting a strong effort in Chicago.
In his first year, DeVries identified the need for more interior depth to handle Big Ten physicality. "The size and the girth... it's just a lot different," he explained, noting the wear on players like Reed Bailey and Sam Alexis. He anticipates new hire Ryan Carr will aid in recruiting bigger talent.
Athletic director Scott Dolson joined later, expressing high expectations. "I couldn't be happier to have Darian here," Dolson said. "What Darian has done in a short time is really put the infrastructure together to make certain that we get back to sustained success." He commended the roster's resilience in a tough conference.
Indiana's Big Ten Tournament begins later this week, with the championship set for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. The 18-team event features byes for top seeds, and bubble teams like the Hoosiers must perform to bolster their March Madness resume.
