Indiana men’s basketball is one of the biggest brands in college basketball.
There’s no doubt the five national championship banners that hang beyond the north baseline inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and the ultra-passionate fan base contribute to the historic program.
However, after seasons of uneven results, satisfaction was hard to come by as the Hoosier faithful grew upset with their squad’s on-court results.
When Darian DeVries became the Hoosiers’ head coach, he prioritized his program connecting with the fanbase. Whether it was aiding the youth at the local YMCA, helping freshman move into their respective dorms or meeting fans on Kirkwood Avenue, DeVries sought to rekindle the fanbase’s affection for the program.
On Tuesday night inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, DeVries’ work culminated, as the Hoosier faithful willed Indiana (14-7, 5-5 Big Ten) to a 72-67 victory over archrival Purdue (17-4, 7-3 Big Ten).
“I'm going to say the biggest key was that crowd out there,” DeVries said postgame. “I mean, that was awesome. I mean, that's what makes this place so special.”
A palpable buzz existed within the confines of the famed arena with the Boilermakers in town. Indiana football was recognized for its perfect 16-0 season just minutes before tipoff.
Curt Cignetti and a handful of players, including Charlie Becker and Jamari Sharpe, stood at halfcourt with the gold College Football Playoff National Championship trophy in hand. The architect of one of sport’s greatest stories thanked the Hoosier faithful for their contributions throughout the season, explaining the Cream and Crimson couldn’t have success without them.
But he also had a message for Tuesday night’s matchup on the hardwood.
“Let’s have fun tonight,” Cignetti said. “Go IU!”
After the two rivals went back and forth for much of the first six and a half minutes of the contest, the Hoosiers went on a 6-0 run to take a three-point lead with just over 12 minutes left in the first half.
Purdue responded with its own spurt and led by four with seven minutes to play. Then, Indiana seized control.
Senior forward Reed Bailey made a pair of layups while redshirt senior forward Tucker DeVries, fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson and junior guard Jasai Miles each knocked down a 3-pointer. Suddenly, with just under four minutes until halftime, Indiana led by nine and eventually carried an 11-point advantage into the locker room.
However, the Boilermakers chipped away at the Hoosiers’ lead throughout the second half. As Purdue was amid an 8-0 run, Wilkerson misfired a pass that ended up on Indiana’s bench. The Hoosier faithful groaned but then rose to their feet to try to help stave off Purdue.
When Tucker DeVries corralled a crucial rebound on the next possession, he screamed on the south baseline. The fans followed.
Although the Boilermakers cut their deficit to two with just over a minute remaining, senior guard Conor Enright delivered a clutch 3-pointer. The Hoosiers converted from the free-throw line in the final minute to secure the victory.
Although Tuesday marked his first time facing the Boilermakers while donning the Cream and Crimson, Enright is familiar with the intense rivalry.
“It's really cool to see all the fans, packed house,” Enright said. “My brother went here, so I know he's smiling, far, far away, wherever he's watching the game at. It's awesome. It means a lot to everybody at the school, all the fans. I understand how much this rivalry means.”
After a four-game losing streak, Indiana has now won two in a row, as Tuesday’s triumph marks the highest point in the Darian DeVries era thus far.
DeVries, who grew up in Big Ten country, recognized the magnitude of the opportunity when he arrived at Indiana last March. It’s a “dream job,” he said during his introductory press conference, and one that he couldn’t pass up.
Victories like the Hoosiers’ on Tuesday night prove Darian DeVries’ thinking.
Although Indiana football has taken a stranglehold over several Hoosier fans throughout its run to the national championship, love for Indiana basketball never went away.
When the Hoosiers display an on-court product worth being proud of, their fans create one of college basketball’s most difficult environments for opponents.
“There's not a lot of crowds — there's some good ones out there, but this is really, really special when it's like that,” Darian DeVries said. “And tonight was as good as it gets in college basketball.”
Tuesday’s victory marked Indiana’s 14th of the season and helped bolster the Hoosiers’ NCAA Tournament resume with their first Quad 1 victory.
It also marked the 222nd game between the two teams with a storied rivalry. College sports are built on them. No matter the sport, each school has another school they seek to defeat more than any other. That’s why a victory like Tuesday’s means just a little more to the Hoosiers.
“This is why everybody loves college sports,” Darian DeVries said. “These type of rivalries are fun. And they should be. You got fan bases; both care about their teams. They're both close to each other. And that's what it's supposed to be about.
Indiana basketball and its fans’ love for the program didn’t disappear. Although the on-court results were less than desirable across the last few seasons, the Hoosiers just needed to be re-energized.
They were Tuesday night.
“That’s what this place is,” Darian DeVries said. “We love our hoops.”
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.
