Darren Harris arrived at Indiana with the kind of reputation that can change a season if it turns into production. Darian DeVries made it clear at Big Ten Media Days that he expects exactly that.
The Duke transfer, a former top-40 recruit in the 2024 class, spent his first two college seasons buried on rosters loaded with elite talent. That made it hard for him to get into a rhythm, and the numbers reflected it: Harris averaged 8.3 minutes across 57 games with the Blue Devils, posting 2.8 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists while shooting 36.4% from the field and 30.8% from three.
Now at Indiana, Harris is stepping into a much bigger opportunity. And DeVries isn’t easing him into it.
"He has the ultimate green light," DeVries said about Harris' shooting ability at Big Ten Media Days. "So don't even like look over if he shoots a 30-footer because I've told him he can."
That’s about as direct as it gets, and DeVries went a step further by comparing Harris’ range to Lamar Wilkerson. He pointed to the idea that once a shot or two falls, more could follow in bunches. Wilkerson finished 2nd in the Big Ten last season with 20.8 points per game and shot 37.8% from three.
Harris’ reputation as a shooter has followed him for a while. He was regarded as one of the best in the country coming out of high school, and Indiana is now banking on that skill translating in a bigger role.
The confidence around Harris isn’t coming only from the head coach, either. Notre Dame transfer Markus Burton also spoke highly of him at Big Ten Media Days.
"He just doesn't miss," said Burton. "He hasn't missed a lot and when he does miss, it's like wow."
Burton, one of the ACC’s top point guards over the past three seasons at Notre Dame, could form an intriguing combination with Harris when the two share the floor. That pairing is one of the more interesting things to watch as Indiana gets going.
At this point, Harris appears lined up for a starting wing role, and that would mean a far more stable workload than what he had at Duke. With steadier minutes, he has a real chance to put together a career year. Indiana may end up leaning on him as its primary three-point threat, and a finish near 40% from deep would not be a surprise.
Indiana opens with an exhibition game Saturday night at Butler. The regular season starts Monday, Nov. 2 against Eastern Illinois.
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The matchup gives Indiana a chance to lean on its rushing attack, with Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. leading the way, but the Hoosiers will also have to deal with Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea and the way he can stress a defense with his legs and arm. Just as important, Indianas defense has to win on third down and keep Nebraska from extending drives, because thats where a road game like this can start to slip away quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Finally Looks Deeper Than Ever But Two Jobs Are Still Open
Indianas mens basketball roster has been rebuilt in a major way for 2026-27, with 11 newcomers arriving to give Darian DeVries a group that looks bigger, longer and far more versatile than the one it is replacing. The transfer haul alone brought in familiar names from major programs, including Aiden Sherrell from Alabama, Samet Yigitoglu from SMU and Markus Burton from Notre Dame, while a wave of freshmen adds even more layers to a roster that should be deeper on both ends of the floor.
What stands out most is how many different combinations DeVries can now consider. The Hoosiers believe they have improved their size and rebounding, and the backcourt has a different look with Burton in the mix, but the next step is figuring out how all of those pieces fit together once practice and lineup decisions begin. For a team that spent the offseason loading up, the biggest question now is not who Indiana has, but which two roles are still waiting to be claimed. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Is About To Test Whether Nebraska's Hot Start Means Anything
Nebraskas unbeaten start has turned Saturdays meeting with Indiana into more than just another early Big Ten matchup. The Cornhuskers have looked the part so far, but the schedule has left enough room for doubt, and Indiana arrives with enough balance on offense to make this a real measuring-stick game rather than a routine checkpoint.
Indiana has been more uneven recently, but the Hoosiers have still shown enough in spots to suggest they can make Nebraska work for every possession. The betting line reflects respect for the Cornhuskers, yet it also captures the larger question hanging over this one: whether Nebraskas record is built on something sustainable, or whether Indiana can expose how much of the hot start has been about opportunity. [Read more 🡒]