Hoosiers Excited to Connect With Fans

The Indiana Hoosiers men’s and women’s basketball teams will tipoff the 2025-2026 season with a new fan event this coming Thursday night (October 2) from 8-10 p.m. ET as they take to the street for Hoosier Hoops on Kirkwood. The event will feature player introductions, skills competitions, meet-and-greet opportunities and some trick shots taking place on famous Kirkwood Avenue. This event, in conjunction with the Friday night Cream and Crimson scrimmage and the October 30 Haunted Hall of Hoops event, are primarily designed to help Indiana’s passionate fans connect with an entirely new coaching staff and roster.

Prior to the week’s festivities, the Hoosiers hosted an open practice for the media and made players available for questions. Each player Hoosier Huddle’s Sammy Jacobs spoke to made it clear they were looking forward to connecting with the IU fan base ahead of the season.

“We’re in the heart of the practice phase and each phase, you can feel the energy kind of crank up a little bit,” IU senior forward Tucker DeVries said. “The anticipation of the season is getting closer. I think guys are just ready to get going, to be honest. I think everybody’s super excited to be able to go compete and show everybody what we’re capable of.”

The first event on the docket will have IU playing on an outdoor court, a concept that is not new for the DeVries family.

“We actually did this at Drake,” Tucker DeVries said. “I think it was like five or six years ago, my dad (IU head coach Darian DeVries) started doing it and it kind of just slowly grew and he really enjoyed it. Trying to build that relationship with the fans to give them a chance to interact with them outside of the typical basketball setting. I think it’s been a great event in the past and I’m looking forward to it come Thursday.”

Senior point guard Conor Enright, a transfer with previous experience at DePaul and Drake, was excited about a chance to fire up what he believes will be an important asset for the Hoosiers this season.

“I’m super excited. It’s really important to have that, almost sixth man out there for us at all times with the students in the crowd. I’m excited to meet people and let them know that we appreciate their support.”

Tucker DeVries is a college basketball veteran and he knows just how important a great home court advantage can be and he’s eager to play in front of the rabid Hoosier fans as the team continues to gel and get ready for the season.

“I think it’ll be great. There’s some people that saw us in Puerto Rico but it’s kind of our first time in front of the general fan base and I think it’s great for us kind of build that relationship between the team, the fan base, the students. I’m looking to a great year here and hopefully have their support throughout the full year. I think these events and stuff like this, being able to build that relationship really goes a long way in doing that.”

The Indiana Hoosiers begin the regular season on November 5 against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and they play six of their first seven games in the friendly confines of Assembly Hall before tipping off Big Ten play on December 3 at Minnesota. Far too often in recent seasons, IU fans have not had much to cheer about or take pride in. Playing with effort and enthusiasm each game would go a long way towards reigniting the love IU fans have for the program and Tucker DeVries believes his team is very aware of how important that is.

“I think we have such a passionate fan base and we know that. We want to go out there and just be a team that they’re proud of and excited for to cheer for. I think that when it comes game time, I hope that we’re able to keep that impression.”