INDIANAPOLIS – In the first major test of the Darian DeVries era, Indiana men’s basketball showed toughness, poise and a glimpse of its emerging identity. The Hoosiers rallied from a double-digit deficit to defeat Baylor 76-74 in Sunday’s exhibition at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The contest wasn’t just another preseason tune-up — it was a reflection of how much college basketball has changed. Both programs entered the matchup as two of only seven high-major teams in the country returning zero players from the previous season. Baylor lost nine potential returners to the transfer portal and one to the NBA, while Indiana saw eight players transfer out.
Baylor’s first-half control
From the start, Baylor looked like the more cohesive team. The Bears jumped out to a 13-point lead in the first half, dominating the glass and dictating the pace. Indiana struggled to match Baylor’s physicality inside, getting outrebounded 19–11 before halftime and 44–25 overall.
It forced a switch in the paint for DeVries, with the bulky Sam Alexis getting the majority of the minutes for the rest of the afternoon.
The Hoosiers’ perimeter shooting, a key part of their offensive identity under DeVries, wasn’t enough to close the gap early. After attempting 30 3-pointers in their exhibition win over Marian, Indiana launched 24 more against Baylor — but converted only 25 percent. Still, a late first-half push kept IU within reach, trailing just 41–36 at the break.
Adjustments and resilience
The second half showcased a different Indiana team. DeVries’ squad turned up the defensive intensity, holding Baylor to just 29 percent shooting after halftime and forcing seven turnovers. On those takeaways, they turned it into 14 points at the other end.
The Hoosiers began finding cleaner looks on offense and stayed composed at the free-throw line — an area that proved decisive.
Indiana was perfect from the stripe until the final seconds, finishing 20-for-21 on free throws. For a team that has struggled in that area in recent years, that level of efficiency was both rare and crucial.
Rebounding, however, remained the clear area for improvement. Indiana allowed 16 offensive rebounds, a number that nearly cost them the game. DeVries didn’t shy away from the issue afterward.
“The area that we have to improve the most is defensive rebounding,” he said. “We are undersized.”
Standout performances
Graduate transfer Lamar Wilkerson led all scorers with 26 points, including an 11-for-11 mark from the free-throw line. Tucker DeVries added 18 points and six assists, while Tayton Conerway finished with 17 and the game-winning basket. Alexis chipped in nine points and seven rebounds while battling Baylor’s size inside.
For the Bears, Cameron Carr paced the offense with 18 points, and Tounde Yessoufou added 12.
A look ahead
DeVries’ emphasis on pace, spacing and 3-point volume is already defining this new-look Hoosier roster. Even with an off shooting night, Indiana’s ability to execute late and defend in key moments offered a glimpse of the group’s potential for the upcoming season.
It wasn’t perfect — especially on the boards — but it was gritty, disciplined and resilient. For a program that completely retooled its roster, there are building blocks of something sustainable.
Ten days now separate Indiana from its regular season opener against Alabama A&M at Assembly Hall.
