In the first season under head coach Darian DeVries, the Indiana Hoosiers faced a tough break as they missed out on a bid for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. With an overall record of 18-14 and a 9-11 mark in Big Ten play, the Hoosiers saw their March Madness dreams slip away after a late-season collapse.
Let's dive into an analysis of DeVries' debut season, focusing on individual performances, team dynamics, and emerging trends.
Spotlight on Nick Dorn
Nick Dorn, a transfer from Elon, had moments this season where he seemed poised to lead Indiana to the NCAA Tournament alongside teammate Lamar Wilkerson. While the task proved too challenging, Dorn's performance offered a glimpse into the potential future of Indiana basketball.
Standing at 6’7” with a sharp shooting touch, Dorn embodies what DeVries might envision for his wings. Dorn averaged 5.9 field goal attempts per game, with a significant 5.3 coming from beyond the arc. Even when his shots weren't connecting, his ability to stretch the floor was undeniable.
Shooting Breakdown
- Percentage of FG Attempts: 88.8% from 3-point range, 2.8% midrange, 3.9% paint, 4.5% rim
- Field Goal Percentage: 38% overall, 60% midrange, 42.9% paint, 75% rim
A fascinating insight from CBB Analytics revealed Dorn's shooting discrepancy: he nailed 43% of his corner threes but only 32.9% from above the break, despite taking an equal number of attempts from both spots.
This shooting prowess kept Dorn in the starting lineup even after his standout three-game stretch ended. Following a thrilling double-overtime victory at UCLA, where Dorn scored 26 points with six threes, he only hit double figures twice more, both resulting in Indiana wins.
Dorn's Value to the Team
There's a compelling case to be made for Dorn as Indiana's most valuable player, if not the best. His hot streak against Rutgers, UCLA, and Purdue marked the only time Indiana achieved Bart Torvik game scores over 90 against high-major teams.
This highlights a broader issue for Indiana: like Dorn, the team leaned heavily on the three-point shot. Dorn's previous season at Elon saw him diversify his shot selection, which contributed to a higher scoring average despite a lower three-point percentage.
With one year of eligibility left, Dorn's future remains a topic of interest. Averaging 8.1 points per game and shooting over 40% from three, he offers valuable floor spacing off the bench and has shown flashes of greater potential. Whether he fulfills that potential at Indiana next season is a question that remains to be answered.