Talking through Darian DeVries’ Indiana Hoosiers.
With the exception of (potentially) Luke Goode and Anthony Leal, Indiana men’s basketball has undergone a complete transformation from last season. As of now, the roster is ten transfer portal recruits and one high school player, Trent Sisley.
Here’s what we think about how this will all shake out:
What do you think the starting lineup will be?
LCN: I think it comes down to what the frontcourt ends up being. I’m not a betting man, but if I was I’d go Conerway-Wilkerson-DeVries-Bailey-Alexis with the staff opting for a more traditional frontcourt to compete with the Big Ten’s overall size. I think it works because Bailey projects as a modern power forward who can slide over to the center spot if needed.
Colin: There are some sure things, and some spots that I think will be determined between now and the opening tip. I’d say Tayton Conerway and Lamar Wilkerson are a lock for the one and two spots respectively. Tucker DeVries will also start, but could be at either the three or four. If he’s a four, probably Nick Dorn at the three. If he’s a three, probably Reed Bailey at the four. I give Sam Alexis the edge over Josh Harris for the five spot.
Who will be the main rotation players?
LCN: I think Conor Enright will see plenty of time off the bench in the backcourt given his familiarity with DeVries’ preferences on the court. Aside from him, I can see Jasai Miles and Nick Dorn playing major minutes off the bench.
Colin: I’d say wherever they start Tucker DeVries, both Nick Dorn and Reed Bailey have skillsets that will help Indiana no matter how much they see the floor and at what position. They’re a pair of modern players that seem to fit perfectly within DeVries’ shooting and passing-first offense, so I really like what they bring to the table as a couple of guys who may not start. I also believe in Jasai Miles being a valuable bench piece.
Is there anyone outside of the top eight or nine you have your eyes on?
LCN: Not necessarily for this season, but I’m intrigued by what Trent Sisley could become with time. He’s capable of playing a handful of minutes off the bench if necessary as a freshman but he’s a pretty ideal fit for what DeVries likes with his ability and willingness to run the floor while being a reliable shooter from deep.
Colin: I’m not sure if this is a fair answer but it would be interesting to see what Anthony Leal and/or Luke Goode would bring to this team. For reasons similar to why I like the addition of Kenny Johnson to the coaching staff, I think it’s valuable to have people around that know what it means to play and live in the fishbowl that is Indiana men’s basketball. They’re also intriguing in that we know what they can bring to a Big Ten team, so having them could push some guys out of the regular rotation.
What concerns you most about the roster as it exists now?
LCN: Defense. I don’t think it’ll be a Major Problem because DeVries put together a really good unit on that side of the floor last year, but I’m intrigued about what rim protection looks like in year one. Reed Bailey has good length but could get outmuscled by some other bigs around the conference. Sam Alexis has the athleticism to roam around the paint and deter looks at the rim but his size isn’t ideal and he wasn’t a featured guy on last year’s Florida roster. Going to need Wilkerson and DeVries to be reliable alongside Conerway handing opposing lead guards.
Colin: I think it’s impossible to know how much my brain has been ruined by Big Ten men’s basketball but I am a little worried that we don’t have a guy with the size and strength that we usually see at the five spot in this conference. I like that we will most definitely be getting away from a post-oriented offense, but am concerned other teams that still play in the 1990s will find it too easy to score in the paint against Indiana.
Who do you think will be the most impactful?
LCN: I’m not the first to say this, the impact of adding Tucker DeVries has been pretty understated by the fact that he’s the coach’s son. This isn’t a daddy ball situation, the younger DeVries has been the best player on every team he’s played for. If he had a different name and the process played out differently he’d be hailed as one of the biggest gets of portal season. He’s the best catch-and-shoot player in the country.
Colin: A couple of guys, like Wilkerson and DeVries seem to be pretty known-commodities and I expect them both to be in the top three for scoring on next year’s team. If Reed Bailey can play up to his potential though, I think he could really raise the ceiling for Indiana. I don’t want to set the bar too high, but Danny Wolf’s last season at Michigan showed how disruptive a big who can move, pass, and shoot can be in the Big Ten.