Throughout conference play, Indiana men’s basketball lacked high scoring from one of its most potent offensive weapons — Tucker DeVries.
In non-conference play, the redshirt senior forward averaged 17.3 points per game. Yet that total dropped to just 10 per game in conference games. DeVries has been held to single-digit scoring in four of the Hoosiers’ last six games.
However, in Indiana’s 86-72 loss to Michigan on Jan. 20, DeVries got hot and went off for 15 second-half points after being held scoreless in the first 20 minutes of action. So, when the 6-foot-7 DeVries nailed his first 3-point attempt 43 seconds into the Hoosiers’ 82-59 victory over Rutgers on Friday night at Jersey Mike’s Arena, there was a sigh of relief as he picked up right where he left off.
After hitting his first shot from the beyond the arc, DeVries sank another just four minutes into the contest. And through the next 16 minutes of action, he hit two more to finish the first half with 16 total points off 6-for-11 shooting from the field.
And as DeVries’ shots began to fall , the shot-making became contagious. Junior guard Nick Dorn tallied three 3-pointers, while fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson added one through the first 20 minutes of action.
“I think the guys do such a good job of trying to find those guys,” head coach Darian DeVries said postgame. “When they know when Tucker hits one or Lamar hits one or Nick hits one, you know, try to keep them hot, you know, and keep them in actions.”
Tucker DeVries continued to be a presence on the court throughout the second half, and the Hoosiers continued to find the hot shooter.
In the second half, Tucker DeVries added six points to finish the contest with a double-double performance as he logged 22 points and 10 rebounds. He also tallied six assists, turned the ball over just one time and committed zero fouls on the night.
As a team, the Hoosiers shot 50% from the field, 43% from the 3-point line and 100% from the free throw line. Wilkerson led the Hoosiers with 27 points while Dorn was close behind with 23.
Coming into the matchup, the Hoosiers needed to make two things happen: secure a win to end their four-game losing streak and get Tucker DeVries back into the mix of things.
The Cream and Crimson accomplished both of those feats. Having Tucker DeVries as a threat adds another caliber to the Hoosiers’ offense. Keeping him aggressive and a part of the scoring can hopefully become a constant as the Hoosiers continue into conference play.
Amid Tucker DeVries' low point production, Indiana struggled. If the Hoosiers wish to build on this win, they will need to continue to find DeVries open shots and get him going on the offensive end.
Indiana will look to pick up its second straight conference win when it faces No. 4 Purdue on Tuesday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. and will be streamed on Peacock.
“Our mindset game to game is always the same.” Darian DeVries said postgame. “You know, your approach is your approach. And to make sure we go home and be very intentional with the details of the game prep and understand what we need to do to win that next game. So, we'll get started with that as soon as we can.”
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.
