Who: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
What: Final Exhibition Game for 2026-2027 Season
Where: Ford Center in Evansville, IN
When: Sunday, October 25 at 4:00 pm
How to Watch: Streaming on BTN+
The Indiana Hoosiers wrap up the exhibition season on Sunday. Darian DeVries’ crew is off to a great start with comfortable victories over Butler and North Carolina and they now head to Evansville to play the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at the Ford Center. As IU closes the exhibition season and begins looking to the November 2 season-opener, what are some things to look for?
1. Rebounding Dominance
The Indiana Hoosiers were a sub-300 rebounding team last season. Darian DeVries knew it was a weakness that had to be addressed and he made getting bigger and tougher on the glass a major offseason priority. While it is far too early to draw conclusions, the early returns are encouraging. IU outrebounded Butler 53-33 and racked up 17 offensive rebounds. They followed that up with a 53-31 edge on the glass and 20 offensive boards against the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Hoosiers have platooned the trio of Sam Alexis, Samet Yigitoglu and Aiden Sherrell with two of the three nearly always being on the floor and the “double-big” lineup combined with a greater emphasis from guards and wings like Jaeden Mustaf and Darren Harris is proving to be a lot for opponents to deal with. Western Kentucky does not present the same size North Carolina did and is even a bit smaller than Butler. Will Indiana dominate a smaller opponent on the boards the same way they did against the Tar Heels and Bulldogs?
2. Perimeter Options and Depth
In game one, the Hoosiers had four players in double-figures and ten players scored at six points. In the second outing, IU again had four players reach ten points or more but it was an explosion from Bryce Lindsay that led the way for DeVries’ team. The Villanova transfer had 26 points and UNC head coach Michael Malone said postgame that Lindsay “had his hands all over the game”. Neither Markus Burton nor Aiden Sherrell have really got into rhythm yet but it already appears Indiana has a larger variety of options that are capable of helping carry the team offensively. Will that variety show up again against the Hilltoppers?
3. Defending Without Fouling
Indiana was in a whole lot of foul trouble against the Butler Bulldogs. Jaeden Mustaf and Markus Burton were limited to a combined 37 minutes as both picked up four fouls. Bryce Lindsay and Aiden Sherrell both committed three fouls. The second contest was a bit better but again, Markus Burton picked up two quick fouls and was played less than five minutes in the first half. Trevor Manhertz had four fouls in 15 minutes and Jaeden Mustaf ended up with three fouls (albeit, in 29 minutes of action). Fouls are going to happen and it’s not a large concern but IU needs Markus Burton on the floor and, in general, the Hoosiers should be able to bother Western Kentucky’s offense without getting into foul trouble.
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