Indiana Men’s Basketball Sweeps Preseason Schedule
Indiana men’s basketball finished its preseason schedule with a 3-0 record away from Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, defeating Butler University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Western Kentucky University, according to a column published by the Indiana Daily Student (idsnews.com). The publication reports that while the exhibition wins will not be officially recorded in program history, the games provided a revealing look at a new-look roster under head coach Darian DeVries.
Roster Height Transforms Rebounding Performance
Last season, the Indiana roster featured limited height in its primary rotation, contributing to rebounding deficits in the majority of Big Ten games and 10 of 11 conference losses, the Indiana Daily Student reported. The publication noted that the offseason additions of 7-foot-2 junior center Samet Yigitoglu and 7-foot junior forward Aiden Sherrell increased the team’s average height among regular players to 6-foot-6.3 inches. During the three preseason contests, the Hoosiers outrebounded their opponents 155-103, averaging 51.7 boards per game.
Balanced Scoring Supports Markus Burton
Senior guard Markus Burton joined the roster this season as a former scoring leader in the Atlantic Coast Conference, stepping into a primary offensive role similar to the high-volume production carried by Lamar Wilkerson last year, the Indiana Daily Student reported. When foul trouble and an apparent injury forced Burton to the bench during exhibition play, senior guard Bryce Lindsay provided secondary scoring with 26 points against North Carolina and 20 points against Western Kentucky.
Freshmen Close Out Western Kentucky Victory
Trailing by as many as 11 points in the second half against Western Kentucky, Darian DeVries deployed three freshmen—guard Prince-Alexander Moody and forwards Trevor Manhertz and Vaughn Karvala—to close out the contest, according to the Indiana Daily Student report. The trio combined for 17 points down the stretch to secure the comeback victory, drawing praise from the head coach for injecting necessary energy into the lineup.
Defensive Intensity Fuels Early Preseason Stops
Indiana struggled offensively during early stretches, shooting just over 40 percent from the field overall and starting 3 for 12 against Western Kentucky, the Indiana Daily Student reported. The publication noted that defensive pressure bridged the gap, anchored by Yigitoglu and fifth-year senior forward Sam Alexis combining for five blocks in the first half alone against the Hilltoppers to keep the Hoosiers competitive while field goals were hard to come by.
Preseason Questions Answered
Did Indiana play any home games during the preseason?
No. According to the Indiana Daily Student, all three preseason matchups against Butler, North Carolina, and Western Kentucky were played away from Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Which players averaged more than five rebounds during the preseason?
Samet Yigitoglu, Aiden Sherrell, and 6-foot-6 junior guard Jaeden Mustaf each averaged over five rebounds per game across the three exhibition contests, as reported by the Indiana Daily Student.
How many points did Bryce Lindsay score off the bench against North Carolina?
Bryce Lindsay scored 26 points against North Carolina while coming off the bench as a reserve guard, according to the Indiana Daily Student.
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