Darian DeVries took to Zoom on Friday afternoon as the Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball team prepares to face the eighth ranked Illinois Fighting Illini Sunday afternoon in Champaign. Indiana has won five of their last six games, but has not played since a 92-74 win over the Oregon Ducks on Monday night. DeVries touched on many topics on Friday.
Hoosiers Prepped for Tough Illinois Team
The Hoosiers and Illini renew their rivalry on the hardwood on Sunday in the 190th meeting between the two schools. IU has lost the last two in the series, but have the momentum coming in as winners of five of their last six games, while the Illini have dropped two in a row.
However, DeVries knows the matchup will be tough.
“There’s a lot that concerns you, when you watch Illinois.” DeVries said. “They’re really, really good basketball team. And you know, I saw stat the other day that they hold the record right now for the highest efficient offense and Ken Pom history. They are just so big and balanced, and they do a great job of exploiting mismatches. And then they offensive rebound. So there’s really not much of a weakness that you can really try to attack.”
The Hoosiers will try and slow down guard Keaton Wagler who has been terrific for the Illini this season. Illinos does an excellent job of putting opponents in a bind trying to defend him.
“They do such a good job of putting you in situations where you got to choose if you want to switch or if you want to commit to the ball, and then (Wagler) makes the right decision through the ball, shooting everywhere.” DeVries said. “And then when he does get the switch he’ll shoot it from anywhere. So you have to be so close. And if you’re too close he’s going by you and making the right play a lot of times.”
DeVries Not Worried About Dorn’s Recent Shooting Slump
Indiana wing Nick Dorn went through a shooting slump over the last three games, but seemed to get back on track after knocking in three free throws against Oregon and going on a personal 8-0 run. DeVries, who always has confidence in his player’s ability to shoot the ball, was not worried about Dorn.
“I’m not worried about he had a couple games he didn’t shoot it as well. He had some other things that we were working through too, as that flu bug went through us. So but in that game, those three free throws, like a lot of times, just seeing the ball go through the net is a good thing, and that can lead to more opportunities. And I thought after those three free throws he knocked a couple down. So, you know, I never worry about Nick shooting,” DeVries said.
Hoosiers Feeling Refreshed at the Right Time
February and March is when the grind of the season starts to catch up with teams. IU’s season started a little earlier than most with an August trip to Puerto Rico, but a well timed rest has IU getting their legs back. The Hoosiers are coming off a West Coast trip, a flu break out and playing two games in three days, so playing two games over the course of two weeks is a welcome break.
“I anticipate with at least getting our legs back a little bit (it) is a good thing. So our guys were feeling really pretty good for most part the West Coast trip and then coming back and having those two games in three days. It was, was a good one, a good segment for us.” DeVries said. “But having that break right afterwards, I think was, was a good timing from our perspective. So you know, this time of year practice wise, you cut back quite a bit anyway, as you’re getting into February, because you do want to prioritize keeping everybody as fresh as possible.”
Hoosier Huddle will have full coverage of Indiana’s trip to Illinois on Sunday.