Indiana Falls to USC Despite Wilkerson’s 33-Point Outburst: Hoosiers Searching for Offensive Balance
LOS ANGELES - Lamar Wilkerson did everything he could to keep Indiana in the fight Tuesday night at the Galen Center. The senior guard poured in 33 points in 32 minutes, hitting five threes and carrying the Hoosiers' offense on a night when help was hard to come by. But even Wilkerson’s heroics weren’t enough, as Indiana fell 81-75 to USC in a tough Big Ten road matchup.
This was Wilkerson’s third 30-point game of the season - the most by a Hoosier since Trayce Jackson-Davis notched four in the 2022-23 campaign. In Big Ten play, Wilkerson has been nothing short of electric, ranking second in the league in scoring (23.0 ppg) and second in made threes per game (3.7). He’s been the engine for Indiana’s offense, and on Tuesday, he was practically the whole machine.
The Supporting Cast Struggles
While Wilkerson was lighting it up, the rest of Indiana’s starting lineup couldn’t find the same rhythm. Tucker DeVries, Nick Dorn, and Conor Enright - all of whom logged over 30 minutes - combined for just 14 points on the night.
That’s not a typo. In 107 combined minutes, Indiana got just 14 points from three key starters.
DeVries, who has been a reliable scorer for most of the season, managed only five points on 1-for-8 shooting from deep. He did contribute in other areas, leading the team with six rebounds and dishing out five assists, but his shooting slump continued.
Dorn, who had been on a tear in recent games, went ice-cold, finishing 2-for-12 from the field - all of his attempts coming from beyond the arc. Enright chipped in three points with a lone made three-pointer, but like Dorn, he never got to the free throw line.
And that’s part of the problem - Indiana’s trio combined for just two free throw attempts all game. When shots aren’t falling, getting to the line becomes critical. The Hoosiers didn’t do enough of that, and it cost them.
Coach DeVries: “We Need That Second or Third Scorer”
Head coach Darian DeVries didn’t mince words after the game. He acknowledged the team had opportunities, especially for Dorn and DeVries, but the shots simply didn’t go down.
"Nick has been shooting it about as well as anyone in the country. He just had an off night," DeVries said.
"Tuck had some really good looks as well. They just didn’t go down."
The coach pointed to a lack of rim pressure as another issue - not enough strong finishes, not enough drawn fouls, and ultimately, not enough offensive variety beyond Wilkerson.
Tucker DeVries in a Rare Slump
For a player with 135 Division I games under his belt, Tucker DeVries is in unfamiliar territory. This marks the first time in his career he’s posted three straight games in single digits. Over his last three outings, he’s scored nine, nine, and five points, shooting just 5-for-19 from three.
Coach DeVries, who also happens to be Tucker’s father, emphasized the importance of staying confident through the slump.
"When you're a good shooter and you go through something you haven’t gone through before, you’ve got to stay confident and trust your work," he said. "He’s been trying to facilitate and do other things while working through it. He’ll get it going."
Wilkerson echoed that support postgame: "Tucker’s a great player. All he's got to do is keep out of his head and keep playing. Once he finds his groove, it'll be all right."
A Long Road Trip Takes Its Toll
This wasn’t your typical college road swing. Indiana has been in Los Angeles for nearly a week, having arrived Friday before their double-overtime thriller against UCLA on Saturday - a 98-97 win that no doubt took a physical and emotional toll. The extended stay and quick turnaround may have contributed to Tuesday’s sluggish performance, especially from the supporting cast.
The Hoosiers return home Wednesday, likely eager to reset and regroup. They’ve seen what Wilkerson can do - now it’s about getting everyone else back on track.
Looking Ahead
Indiana has shown flashes of what it can be - a team with a go-to scorer, a deep rotation, and a coach who knows how to get the best out of his players. But for this group to make real noise in the Big Ten, they’ll need more than just Wilkerson lighting it up. They need DeVries to rediscover his scoring touch, Dorn to bounce back from a tough night, and Enright to stay aggressive.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about putting them together.