Cream & Crimson Computations: Hoosiers Split UCLA and USC Games

Jan 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Trent Sisley (11) is fouled by UCLA Bruins guard Eric Dailey Jr. (3) as he drives to the basket in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Many were asking for a 1-1 split on the West Coast roadtrip, and the Hoosiers did achieve that… but it’s hard not to feel like we should’ve been coming home with a sweep. After a crazy choke job turned double overtime win at UCLA, the Hoosiers came out a bit flat against USC on Tuesday and despite a good comeback effort, ultimately fell. It’s never easy on a west coast trip, and Lamar Wilkerson talked about that after the USC game. “I don’t like to make excuses, but it’s a hard trip man,” said Wilkerson. “That’s why a lot of people that come out here aren’t successful. We’ve been out here for a week, tired, fatigued, stuff like that. I don’t make excuses for us, we got to be better.” The Hoosiers will be back in action at home on Saturday against Wisconsin. Until then, let’s take a look at some of the stats from the team as of late. Hoosiers NET Rankings We talked about Q1 wins in last week’s edition, and the Hoosiers were able to pick up another one with the UCLA victory on the road. The Bruins had won 14 straight at home, so it was no easy feat escaping with a win there - especially after the game had the classic Mick Cronin ‘muck it up’ flare to it. After the win, the Hoosiers vaulted to 29th in the NCAA’s NET rankings; since the metric’s introduction in 2018-2019, only one team inside the top-30 has ever missed the NCAA Tournament. Also after the UCLA win, per Evan Miyakawa’s rankings, Indiana moved from -0.7 to +0.7 in Resume Quality; that’s moving from 56th to 38th in just 4 days time with the UCLA and Purdue victories. Overall, good signs for the Hoosiers’ resume in a year where the bubble, and the middle of the Big Ten standings, appears as if they are going to be as crowded as ever. After the loss to USC, Indiana did fall to #33rd in the NET, but still a good sign moving forward as we grow nearer to March every day. Conor Enright What made the UCLA win especially impressive - despite the near collapse at the end of the 2nd half - was Indiana’s ability to bounce back in both overtimes after losing all that momentum and multiple players fouling out. Perhaps the biggest foul out was Conor Enright, who has really found his role perfectly on this team as of late. While he will be remembered for his clutch three in the Purdue game that put the game on ice, he has really come on as of late filling in as point guard with Tayton Conerway still hobbled by a nagging ankle injury. The fact that Indiana was already struggling with the full-court press and then added on losing Enright as a primary ball handler, the win was all the more impressive. Despite not being a major shooting threat, Enright has still been able to find space to drive and dish to open shooters. As of February 1st, Enright ranked 5th in the nation in assist to turnover ratio among players averaging at least 5 assists per 40 minutes. The 3.59x turnover ratio is in the 98th percentile nationally and his 6 assists per 40 is in the 94th. He has tallied 23 assists in the last three games. Tucker DeVries You wouldn’t have to go any farther than just asking Tucker himself, but in terms of shooting recently, he is slumping. In the last three games, DeVries is 6-of-24 from the field including 5-of-19 from behind the arc. The stats would suggest it has been nearly a miracle the Hoosiers have won 2 of 3 in this stretch, as per CBB Analytics, there is no player in the nation more important to be on the floor with his team than Tucker DeVries on Indiana. DeVries carries a +41.7 net rating when he is on the floor compared to off, ranked #1 nationally. It is by a wide margin, too, as Baylor’s Cameron Carr is ranked second and is a +33.2. Even when struggling, the stats would suggest it is extremely important for Tucker to be on the floor. Fortunately, despite the slump, he still has the confidence of his teammates. “Tucker’s a great player,” said Lamar Wilkerson. “All he’s got to do is keep out of his head and keep playing… I’ve got the ultimate faith in Tucker.” Seems as if he just needs to see a few buckets go down, and hopefully he’ll be able to swing things in the right direction. Lamar Wilkerson While Tucker DeVries slumps, his counterpart Lamar Wilkerson could not be any hotter at the moment. In the Hoosiers’ last four games, he has totaled 27, 19, 24, and 33 points respectively (25.75 ppg) in 35 minutes per game (slightly skewed up because of the double overtime game). In the Big Ten, Wilkerson (20.2) now trails only Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli (22.8) in points per game. Stay tuned each week as I’ll continue to compile intriguing statistics from the Indiana men’s basketball season. Follow along to all coverage on Hoosier Huddle.

Cream & Crimson Computations: Hoosiers Split UCLA and USC Games

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