Throughout Darian DeVries’ debut season as head coach of Indiana men’s basketball, the Hoosiers have shrunk in big moments. Against high quality opponents, the Cream and Crimson developed a tendency to disappear when it mattered most.
DeVries’ first rivalry matchup with Purdue represented another opportunity for the Hoosiers to earn a marquee victory, as the Boilermakers entered the contest ranked No. 12.
In its biggest moment of the season, Indiana held strong. DeVries found crucial plays from a variety of unlikely sources en route to the Hoosiers’ first ranked victory of his tenure, a 72-67 win over Purdue.
No source was more improbable than junior guard Jasai Miles. The Miami native saw increased playing time, as sixth-year senior guard Tayton Conerway was sidelined with an ankle injury suffered against Iowa on Jan. 17. Miles was on the court for 15 minutes, marking his most time since playing 17 minutes in the season-opener against Alabama A&M University on Nov. 5.
After Purdue took a 23-19 lead with seven minutes remaining in the first half, DeVries called a timeout. In the ensuing stretch, Indiana scored 13 unanswered points. The run was capped off by a 3-pointer from Miles, his first longball since the Hoosiers’ third game of the season.
“It would've been really easy for his (Miles’) number to be called and him not be ready because he hadn't been putting in the work,” DeVries said postgame. “But he's continued to work even though he hadn't been rewarded a lot for it in terms of playing time. And now when his number's called, he's able to go out there and go do the things he needs to do to continue to grow. I love the mindset he's had.”
Miles finished the game with five points and two rebounds, but his energy impacted the game beyond the box score. Indiana outscored Purdue by 10 points in Miles’ 15 minutes of action.
As the game wore on, redshirt senior guard Conor Enright solidified himself as another bastion of pride for DeVries. The Mundelein, Illinois, native was tasked with guarding Purdue’s senior guard Braden Smith, the Boilermakers’ leading scorer and the NCAA’s assist leader. Smith finished the night with just 14 points and five assists, with no dimes in the first half.
“I've been watching him (Smith) play for a while,” Enright said postgame. “So in the last couple of games, I think I fouled a little more. I had to work on my discipline this game because he's great with the shot fakes and being super crafty.”
When Purdue threatened to usurp the Hoosiers with a late run, Enright broke an over four minute Indiana scoring drought with a 3-pointer to bring the lead back to five. He also hit two clutch free throws with 23 seconds remaining. Enright played the entire 40 minutes, and “gave an incredible effort,” DeVries said. “He just loves the moment.”
In the second half, the Hoosiers got eight combined points from their scoring leaders, fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson and redshirt senior forward Tucker DeVries. Instead, the Cream and Crimson leaned on their depth to seal the first signature win of the Darian DeVries era.
Junior guard Nick Dorn continued his hot shooting stretch, knocking down four shots from beyond the arc to tally 18 points. Senior forward Reed Bailey added nine points, and freshman forward Trent Sisley nailed a pair of second half free throws. Every Hoosier that entered the game scored.
“I could go down the list, I'm just proud of this team,” Darian DeVries said. “They've continued to battle and work like I've been telling you. They had a little tough stretch, but they continue to believe, continue to believe in the work they're putting in. So I'm proud of them to see the results they've had here on a road win (Rutgers) and now a big home win.”
After snatching the lead from Purdue with just over six minutes remaining in the first half, Indiana led for the rest of the game. While the Hoosiers’ first four matchups with ranked opponents ended in defeat, a full team effort staved off a Boilermaker comeback as the Cream and Crimson held on to earn a crucial victory at the midway point of conference play.
In the wake of the victory, Darian DeVries and his players greeted an energized student section as winners of their biggest game of the season, one that could help earn Indiana a trip to the NCAA Tournament come Selection Sunday.
“Every win's a big win,” DeVries said. “But those rivalry games always got a little extra to them. And, you know, we were fortunate to come out on top tonight.”
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.
