Indiana men’s basketball had already notched a pair of encouraging victories over power conference teams in its nonconference slate — wins versus Marquette University and Kansas State University.
The Hoosiers were coming off their seventh victory of the season against Bethune-Cookman University on Nov. 30 as they entered Wednesday’s contest against Minnesota. They even made their way to No. 22 in The Associated Press’ Poll.
Indiana head coach Darian DeVries’ squad provided hope for the Hoosier faithful as Indiana football’s postseason run nears. Could DeVries’ first season at the helm deliver a magical run like Curt Cignetti’s?
However, basketball obviously isn’t football. Losses are inevitable.
And Indiana suffered its first Wednesday, falling 73-64 to Minnesota inside Williams Arena in Minneapolis. The Hoosiers led for just over 15 and a half minutes of the contest, but not over the final 12:20.
Michigan State, which won the conference last season, had three losses. The two teams that tied for second finished with six. Having an off night isn’t unusual, and the Hoosiers’ shortcoming against the Golden Gophers was an example.
The Cream and Crimson shot 40% from the field and 29.6% from beyond the arc — both their second-worst marks of the season. Minnesota outrebounded Indiana by 15. While the Hoosiers turned the ball over just seven times to the Golden Gophers’ 16, they committed four more fouls.
“I just thought overall, it was a little disappointing,” DeVries said postgame. “Offensively, we just kind of let their physicality kind of bog us down a little bit, and we didn't get the type of quality shots that we've been getting and accustomed to getting.”
Although the Hoosiers had prior struggles this season against Lindenwood University in a rather flat showing, DeVries didn’t view Wednesday’s loss as one that came because of Indiana’s mentality.
Instead, the Golden Gophers essentially took away the Hoosiers’ two most prolific scorers — fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson and redshirt senior forward Tucker DeVries. While the former scored 14 points, the latter tallied just nine.
Now, Indiana is in firm control of its response to its first loss. It can learn from why it fell short. Or it can continue down the same path.
While the Hoosiers have three days until they return to the floor, it’s those three days that are critical to DeVries.
“But the main thing now is that, now that you've lost one, is how do you respond?” DeVries said. “And what happens in that locker room, on the practice floor, as you get ready for the next game?”
And when Indiana does face another opponent, the competition doesn’t lighten. First, it’s a 2 p.m. matchup with the No. 6 University of Louisville on Saturday inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Then, the Hoosiers return to Bloomington to host Penn State on Dec. 9 before making a trip to Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, to face the University of Kentucky on Dec. 19.
DeVries said there’s “a lot of really good games” his squad will partake in this season. The three that lie ahead are just the start.
“And every night's gonna be a fight just like this,” DeVries said. “So, we have a group that's pretty connected. We've got some guys that have played a lot of basketball.”
And while the Hoosiers are an experienced team, they’ve yet to endure a loss together until Wednesday night. Now comes their first response.
Not only is Indiana’s contest against Louisville a marquee nonconference game at a neutral site, but it also contributes to perhaps one of the most significant days in Indiana Athletics history.
Although Cignetti’s football squad is facing a historic power in No. 1 Ohio State, DeVries’ group on the hardwood is tasked with rebounding off a loss against what the first-year head coach described as a “very good” Cardinals team.
Louisville is also coming of a loss to the University of Arkansas on Wednesday, meaning both squads are in nearly the same position. The Cardinals are a “well-coached” team, DeVries said, as he coached against Kelsey last season in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
While the Hoosier faithful may not feel the same sort of optimism as they did after dominant wins against Marquette and Kansas State, a victory could certainly provide such feeling Saturday.
It’d mark the Hoosiers’ first signature win under DeVries. And with the sizable opportunity ahead, DeVries expects his squad to be ready to respond Saturday in Indianapolis.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and Nathan Shriberg (@NShriberg and naashri@iu.edu) and columnist Kasey Watkins (@KaseyWatki8773 and kaslwatk@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
