For years, Indiana basketball’s offense has been defined by grit inside the paint — mainly because it had to. But two games into the Darian DeVries era, it’s clear something is different inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
This version of the Hoosiers feels faster, freer, and most notably — deadly from three.
In the first week of the season, Indiana has completely flipped its offensive identity. Through two games, the Hoosiers are averaging 99 points per game, 12 made threes per contest, and shooting an incredible 46.2 percent from deep. It’s not just a hot start, but a statement.
New Era, New Energy
Against Alabama A&M in the season opener, the Hoosiers introduced their new look with a 98-51 win. They shot 10-for-24 from three, setting the tone for what’s become a theme under DeVries.
Lamar Wilkerson led the way with 19 points on 4-of-10 shooting from deep, while Tucker DeVries added 18 points on 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
It wasn’t just the numbers that stood out. There was a different energy in the building, merging a sense of excitement every time the ball left a shooter’s hands. The ball moved faster. The offense felt looser. Indiana wasn’t grinding for tough twos anymore, but hunting for open threes.
Marquette Win Confirms the Identity
If the opener hinted at a shift, the second game made it undeniable. In a 100-77 rout over Marquette, Indiana’s three-point shooting was the difference. The Hoosiers drained 14-of-28 from deep, with DeVries (6-for-9 on 3-pointers) and Wilkerson (6-for-10 on 3-pointers) both lit up the scoreboard.
DeVries (27 points) and Wilkerson (23 points) shot a combined 17-of-34 from the field, and tallied 50 of Indiana’s 100 total points. The West Virginia and Sam Houston State transfers are marksmen with a clip.
It marked the Hoosiers’ best three-point performance in years, and their offensive spacing looked like something straight out of an NBA playbook. The movement off the ball opened up driving lanes, and every pass seemed to find a shooter ready to fire.
“This group just trusts each other,” Coach DeVries said after the win. “They’re unselfish, they move the ball, and when someone’s got it going, everyone’s looking for him.”
For a fan base that’s spent seasons begging for offensive consistency, this version of Indiana basketball feels like a breath of fresh air.
More Weapons Waiting to Emerge
While Wilkerson and DeVries have carried the shooting load early, the depth of this roster makes the long-range potential even more scary.
Freshman Trent Sisley, already known for his smooth shooting stroke at high school powerhouse Montverde Academy, hasn’t yet broken out from three but flashed his all-around scoring ability with 15 points against Marquette. As he grows more comfortable, Indiana could have another perimeter threat ready to explode, especially in upcoming games against lesser competition.
And the Hoosiers aren’t even fully healthy yet. Nick Dorn, an Elon transfer who averaged 15.2 points and attempted 211 threes last season, remains sidelined with an injury. When he returns, his length and spacing will add yet another dimension to a team already loaded with shooters.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can stretch the floor,” DeVries noted last week. “That’s the kind of team we want to be.”
A System Built for the Modern Game
Indiana’s transformation goes beyond personnel — it’s philosophical.
DeVries’ offense prioritizes spacing, tempo, and confidence. Instead of slowing down to get in the post or rely on midrange shots, the Hoosiers are letting it fly early in the shot clock. That pace has translated to more possessions, more freedom, and more fun for players and fans alike.
The results speak for themselves. In two games, Indiana has averaged 99.0 points per game, knocked down 24 total threes on 52 attempts, and recorded 20 or more assists in both contests.
Those numbers aren’t just impressive — they’re sustainable when you consider how balanced the shot selection has been. Every player seems empowered to shoot within rhythm, and that confidence has made the team dangerous from every spot on the floor.
Looking Ahead
The schedule lightens over the next few games, giving the Hoosiers opportunities to refine their system and continue developing chemistry. For fans, the hope is that this three-point identity isn’t just an early-season surge but the foundation of something lasting.
If Indiana keeps this up, the Hoosiers won’t just be tough to guard, but they’ll be one of the most entertaining teams in college basketball. And in a Big Ten landscape often dominated by half-court play, DeVries’ modern approach could be the spark that redefines Indiana basketball.
The Hoosiers will play their next five games in Bloomington, beginning Wednesday against Milwaukee. DeVries’ group will not leave home until Dec. 3 when they take on Minnesota.
But, again, for the first time in a long time, Indiana basketball is living — and thriving — from beyond the arc.
