How is Darian DeVries Doing So Far?

[Ryno6284]

On 2/5/2026 at 7:02 AM, Uspshoosier said:

That’s where we differ.   Until I see where the bubble is actually at in March not enough info for me to say that 1 game would make a difference.  As of now how the bracket stands in my opinion IU could afford to take 1 loss( against a tourney quality team) and still be projected in the bracket without being in Dayton.   Agree to disagree as people say.   Either way big game on Saturday.   My definition of “edge” would be the First 4 so until they are projected in the First 4 for me I don’t consider it close to edge 

I agree completely! On the edge is going back and forth between last four in and last four out! I don't think we are there currently. 

[Ryno6284]

5 minutes ago, Ryno6284 said:

I agree completely! On the edge is going back and forth between last four in and last four out! I don't think we are there currently. 

Sorry, meant First four out!

[Alford Bailey]

He is on track to make the tournament so that’s positive.  Cig changed the game  with coaches getting a long leash at IU. CDD needs to make steady progress year over year so the pressure is on.

[Unexpectedflash]

I think i see the vision. Make the tourney this year and it’s a success. I think our first shot defense is pretty good. Biggest complaint is obviously the rebounding and we foul too much. Offense can be stagnant but should hopefully improve with more players that can create their shot. Also would like us to play faster but I know our depth is not great. Excited to see what it’ll look with a more dynamic PG and hopefully 4 shooters on the floor at a time 

[str8baller]

9 minutes ago, Alford Bailey said:

He is on track to make the tournament so that’s positive.  Cig changed the game  with coaches getting a long leash at IU. CDD needs to make steady progress year over year so the pressure is on.

With that contract and IUs history I’d say 4yrs is guaranteed. In any event I think making the tourney this year takes pressure off. It’s all about next year’s build and recruiting, which seems to be ticking up. 
 

As much as I hated the Archie and to a lesser extent Woody eras, my biggest fear is always a Crean/Davis run where we know it’s not the guy but they do enough to see 6-8yrs. Hopefully Devries uses this year to build and trends up to a top 5-10 program. 

[BtownStrength]

Personally, I think Coach DeVries is doing ok so far. We are a much more competitive team than the past few years. Our off ball movement has improved, and our defense can actually get some stops (sometimes) even with how slow we are laterally. Biggest complaints are roster construction and the inexplicable aversion to calling timeouts. I believe the roster issue can be fixed, but might require flexibility as DeVries didn't get his first choices locked down at assistant coach. Still, would grade about a B- overall. Not thrilled but far from terrible. 

[TheWatShot]

There are times I think we could be pretty good. There are times I think we look like a high school team trying to survive. 

 

The UCLA and Wisconsin games are probably losses under previous regimes. Our execution leaves a lot to be desired late in games, but we're finding ways to win instead of lose. 

[HoosierMatty]

We are flawed a roster but we are getting better as the season goes on. It's been awhile since we have seen that. I think the system he runs is big improvement over years past. If just needs to make upgrades to the roster next year. If we get to tournament this year I think that's a good starting point.

[Golfman25]

2 hours ago, Unexpectedflash said:

I think i see the vision. Make the tourney this year and it’s a success. I think our first shot defense is pretty good. Biggest complaint is obviously the rebounding and we foul too much. Offense can be stagnant but should hopefully improve with more players that can create their shot. Also would like us to play faster but I know our depth is not great. Excited to see what it’ll look with a more dynamic PG and hopefully 4 shooters on the floor at a time 

Really need to make the tournament this year to create momentum for recruiting and next year.   

[DChoosier]

Did I enjoy 1 bucket in the last 10 minutes? No, hell no.

Did I enjoy how hard the team played?

Yes, hell yes.

[AH1971]

26 minutes ago, Golfman25 said:

Really need to make the tournament this year to create momentum for recruiting and next year.   

I don’t think making or missing the tournament really means much for next years roster construction one way or the other. IU loses seven of its nine top players and has a ton of money free up. I think DeVries running a guard friendly offense with a consistent green light is more than attractive enough to prospective portal players, especially if IU commits to being competitive monetarily.

[Pagoda]

I dunno, I think there is some value to making the tourney.

It helps with the improvement narrative and removes something that needs explaining (we missed it because of XYZ excuses).

That should make things easier with fans/donors in terms of NIL, and also selling recruits.

I’m not saying making the tourney is a must and our future depends on it, just that it materially helps with the whole program building thing.

[DChoosier]

5 minutes ago, AH1971 said:

I don’t think making or missing the tournament really means much for next years roster construction one way or the other. IU loses seven of its nine top players and has a ton of money free up. I think DeVries running a guard friendly offense with a consistent green light is more than attractive enough to prospective portal players, especially if IU commits to being competitive monetarily.

I agree that it probably won’t impact roster construction but man o man the program needs a little juice.  IU basketball needs to be in the field of 68. I’m living off the fumes of the glory years and still can’t get used to making the tourney being a reach/achievement. It’s 68 teams…..Come on!!

Please, please, please let me watch an opening Thursday or Friday tourney game. Please. 

[Brass Cannon]

Making the tourney is key to getting the NIL juiced. A lot of our alumni want that basketball team to be good. But need to see signs they aren’t burning their money like they did with Woody. In fact burning their money would have been better because then at least somebody would have been warm 

[Golfman25]

18 minutes ago, AH1971 said:

I don’t think making or missing the tournament really means much for next years roster construction one way or the other. IU loses seven of its nine top players and has a ton of money free up. I think DeVries running a guard friendly offense with a consistent green light is more than attractive enough to prospective portal players, especially if IU commits to being competitive monetarily.

I think it means more than you think.  Like BC says, it helps with NIL.  It also helps recruit the better players.  They have 60 some teams to choose from, many with solid tournament histories.   Right now IU has an unproven tournament coach at the power 5 level.   He needs to take that step this year.   

[BA47591]

I think a couple of tweaks to the staff is necessary.  It's about connections and areas of expertise when building a roster. I have faith that next years roster will be more contender capable.  The style of play will be easier to recruit to. One thing that hasn't been done yet, is the hiring of a European agent to a recruiting role. 

[AH1971]

10 minutes ago, Golfman25 said:

I think it means more than you think.  Like BC says, it helps with NIL.  It also helps recruit the better players.  They have 60 some teams to choose from, many with solid tournament histories.   Right now IU has an unproven tournament coach at the power 5 level.   He needs to take that step this year.   

It certainly doesn’t hurt, but IU is losing nearly its entire roster….and payroll. That doesn’t change whether or not they sneak in as a 10 or 11 seed or get the 1 seed in the NIT. Money and playing time are a far bigger sell than the success (or failures) of the previous years team in this climate, especially when the previous years team is going to be completely gutted to graduation. But yeah, I prefer we make the tournament than miss it obviously.

[Pagoda]

4 minutes ago, BA47591 said:

I think a couple of tweaks to the staff is necessary.  It's about connections and areas of expertise when building a roster. I have faith that next years roster will be more contender capable.  The style of play will be easier to recruit to. One thing that hasn't been done yet, is the hiring of a European agent to a recruiting role. 

What tweaks would you make?  Just curious.

[Hoosierfan1901]

Tbf I wasn’t expecting much because the whole roster had to be rebuilt from scratch. Had some concerns on how the team would gel and what now.

[Brass Cannon]

Just now, Hoosierfan1901 said:

Tbf I wasn’t expecting much because the whole roster had to be rebuilt from scratch. 

Which I have always wondered about tbh.  None of his players or recruits followed him. Other than his son