The Darian DeVries era got off to a rousing start in Bloomington on Wednesday night as the Indiana Hoosiers drilled the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 98-51 to improve to 1-0 on the season. First impressions are important and there is not much more the new-look Hoosiers could have done in their first official 40 minutes of action. It was not who they were playing or the final outcome that was so encouraging for Indiana fans, it was how the Hoosiers were playing the game.
In the first half, IU made six three-pointers. That number equals what they averaged in a game for the 2024-2025 season. They had 12 assists on 19 made field goals, were a perfect 14-14 from the foul line and every single point came from a made three-pointer, a made free throw or a layup. Players seemed energized and happy to be on the court together and the effort level on both ends was noticeable. The 36-point halftime lead was Indiana’s largest since 2011.
The good play continued in the second half as Indiana pushed the lead to 42 points by the first media timeout as they kept the pedal to the metal. The Hoosiers got whatever they wanted in the second half, regularly driving to the basket and throwing down dunks. Jasai Miles, in particular, had a highlight-reel dunk that got a roar from the crowd.
Tucker DeVries connected on a three-pointer to go over 2,000 career points and the regular rotation players exited with Indiana ahead by nearly 50 points. Reed Bailey ended up leading the team with 21 points as he connected on 7 of 9 attempts and was perfect on seven free throw attempts in 23 minutes of action.
Lamar Wilkerson added 19 points while making four triples. Those two were joined in double-figures by Tucker DeVries with 18 points, Sam Alexis with 17 points and Tayton Conerway with 14. DeVries added a team-high 11 rebounds and four assists. Indiana out-rebounded the overmatched Bulldogs 42-19 and had an impressive 23 assists on 36 made baskets. Continuing a trend from the exhibition games, IU was outstanding from the charity stripe as they made all 16 of their attempts.
The only possible negatives for the night were occasional troubles with Alabama A&M dribble penetration and Indiana’s defense getting a bit too handsy and committing too many fouls. It was a dream start for the new head coach and his entirely new roster.
The Hoosiers will take a giant leap up in competition as they play the Marquette Golden Eagles in Chicago on Sunday afternoon in a critical non-conference clash that will have NCAA Tournament resume implications.