Inside IU basketball with Darian DeVries returned on Monday night for the final radio show of the season.
The first-year IU coach sat with the voice of the Hoosiers, Don Fischer, ahead of Indiana’s trip to Chicago for the Big Ten Tournament for a pre-recorded episode.
Indiana director of athletics Scott Dolson was the guest for the show’s final segment.
Here’s a recap of what DeVries and Dolson had to say:
• DeVries on Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton breaking the program scoring record in the first half: “We weren’t able to get control of him.”
• DeVries said that the final six minutes of the first half made it really challenging for Indiana to make up ground.
• DeVries said the Ohio State defense didn’t allow Indiana to get good shots from deep.
• DeVries: “Our problem was that we couldn’t get any stops.”
• DeVries said the team’s mindset is still strong and the goals are right in front of them this week.
• DeVries on his team’s NCAA tournament chances: “If you compare us to other bubble teams, we’ve got a really strong case.”
• DeVries said he was disappointed with the number of free throws his team allowed on Saturday.
• DeVries called the Minnesota victory one of the most complete games the team played all season. He added that it was nice to avenge a loss and turn it into a 30-point win.
• DeVries on Sam Alexis’ emergence: “He’s played the best basketball – from our perspective – of his career in the last month. It’s been fun to watch him grow throughout the year.”
• DeVries said that he thought Alexis and Reed Bailey played well off each other when Indiana went to a two-big lineup on Saturday.
• DeVries about what he’s learned about building a roster at the Power 5 level: “The bigs at the 4 and 5 spot, the size and the physicality are a lot different.” DeVries said that building depth in the frontcourt is the number one thing that Indiana will focus on this offseason.
• DeVries said that his team didn’t have enough depth this year and the physicality made it difficult for Indiana.
• The transfer portal will open after the Final Four this season – a change from last year. DeVries said that he won’t change his philosophy on recruiting, but will adjust to what the team needs for the Big Ten.
• DeVries said his team has stuck together amid the late-season losing streak and the focus hasn’t swayed away from just winning the next game.
• DeVries said Northwestern and Penn State are different than one another, but film study started on Sunday night.
• DeVries on the finality of the Big Ten tournament: “Our seniors understand that. I expect nothing but a great effort from our guys.”
• Dolson called his trip to the White House for the college athletics meeting an “honor of a lifetime.”
• Dolson said he thinks that everyone will come together – whether it be as a law or other ways – to help guide college athletics forward.
• Dolson said that the meeting identified the values and perspectives of college athletics.
• Dolson said that nobody has higher expectations for the program than he and DeVries.
• Dolson called the hiring of Ryan Carr a big hire because it helps Indiana compete on the floor and behind the scenes.
• Dolson on the Big Ten: “There’s a lot of parity in the Big Ten right now. I think anybody can beat anybody right now.”
• Dolson calls Big Ten commissioner Tony Pettiti “incredible” and a perfect person to lead the conference in the new landscape of college athletics.
• Dolson confirms that football season tickets are completely sold out for the 2026 season. He commends the fans for their commitment throughout the season.
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