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The Hoosiers head into the Big Ten tournament with momentum in question after a difficult finish to the regular season. Coach Darian DeVries is pushing his players to flip the page and chase wins that could revive Indiana’s NCAA hopes.
Where Indiana sits in the NCAA picture
Indiana’s résumé is in a fragile spot as Selection Sunday nears. The team stands at 18-13 overall and posted a 9-11 mark in conference play. That combination has bracket experts watching closely.
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According to the latest projections from ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi, the Hoosiers are just outside the field. Being a bubble team puts a premium on every game this week.
- Overall record: 18-13
- Big Ten record: 9-11
- Bracketology status: first team out in recent projections
DeVries’ outlook and leadership as March approaches
Darian DeVries, in his first season at Indiana, has emphasized resilience. He wants his players to treat the tournament as a fresh opportunity to build momentum.
DeVries has a short track record in Bloomington, but he brings experience from a recent head-coaching stint at West Virginia. There, his team narrowly missed the NCAA field the prior year after a solid win total. That near-miss shapes his approach now.
He has urged the roster to leave the late-season slip-ups behind and focus on winning as many Big Ten Tournament games as possible.
How the regular season unravelled
Indiana entered the stretch believing it was on steady ground. That changed with a string of tough defeats.
- Losses to top conference rivals dented the Hoosiers’ profile.
- Defeats against Purdue, Michigan State, Ohio State and Illinois lowered Indiana’s quality-win tally.
- The team dropped five of its final six regular-season games.
Those results created a sense of urgency. The most recent setback to Ohio State underscored the need for a quick reset before postseason play.
Keys for the Hoosiers to survive and advance
Success in Indianapolis depends on several clear factors. Indiana must tighten its defense, find reliable scoring, and control the glass.
- Defensive intensity: Limit easy looks and force opponents into contested shots.
- Consistent scoring: Multiple players need to contribute on offense every night.
- Rebounding edge: Winning the battle of second chances will create extra opportunities.
- Minimize turnovers: Protecting the ball preserves possession and reduces transition buckets.
- Coaching adjustments: Tactical changes and lineup flexibility can create matchup advantages.
What to watch this week in the Big Ten tournament
The conference tournament begins Tuesday, and Indiana’s path is clear: win games to force Selection Committee attention.
Expect the Hoosiers to approach the event with a simple goal — string together victories and improve their late-season narrative. How they respond in the first round will shape their chances of earning an at-large bid.
Individual performances will matter. Players who step up in scoring and defend with intensity can swing outcomes quickly. Coaching decisions, rotation patterns, and in-game adjustments will also be under the microscope.
Context from DeVries’ recent remarks and past experience
DeVries has spoken openly about using recent losses as fuel. He framed the moment as an opportunity to reset and prove the team’s true character on a bigger stage.
His prior experience with a program that narrowly missed the NCAA field gives him perspective on the stakes. That background is informing how he prepares the Hoosiers for potentially must-win games.
For Indiana, the tournament is now the proving ground. The team must convert urgency into execution to keep March dreams alive.
