Indiana Turns Up the Heat, Rolls Past Oregon in Statement Win
Indiana didn’t just win at home - they imposed their will. After a sluggish start, the Hoosiers found their rhythm and never looked back, pulling away from Oregon in a 92-74 win that showcased just how dangerous this team can be when it’s clicking on all cylinders.
The Hoosiers trailed early, down 6-0 and later 19-14 with just under eight minutes left in the first half. But from that point forward, it was all Indiana.
A 22-11 run to close the half flipped the momentum, and a 16-6 burst out of the locker room gave IU a 52-36 lead. Oregon tried to hang around, but a second-half eruption from Lamar Wilkerson slammed the door shut.
With the win, Indiana improves to 17-8 overall and 8-6 in conference play. Next up: a road trip to Illinois on Sunday. But before we look ahead, let’s break down how the Hoosiers took control of this one.
OFFENSE: A
When Indiana’s offense gets rolling, it’s like trying to stop a freight train with a stop sign. After a slow first few minutes, the Hoosiers absolutely lit it up, scoring 78 points in the final 28 minutes - a pace that would have them scoring 111 in a full game. That’s not just efficient - that’s overwhelming.
What changed? According to head coach Darian DeVries, the adjustment came in how they attacked Oregon’s defense.
“We wanted to get to a little more of our screen actions in the second half,” he said. “Using Lamar [Wilkerson] and Tuck as screeners, getting Tucker [DeVries] into more of a facilitator role.
We needed to move them more - make them chase us.”
It worked. Indiana was nearly flawless inside the arc, hitting 19-of-23 two-point attempts.
They got to the line 27 times and converted at a 77.8% clip. Overall, the Hoosiers shot 60% from the field and 40.7% from deep, including a blistering 81.8% in the second half.
They moved the ball beautifully, dishing out 22 assists to just nine turnovers, and knocked down 9 of their final 15 shots from beyond the arc.
By the numbers, IU posted 1.39 points per possession - their fourth-best output this season against a high-major opponent. Their 71% effective field goal percentage?
That’s their second-best mark of the year. In short, this was Indiana’s offense at its most dangerous.
DEFENSE: B-
Defensively, Indiana had its moments - especially when it came to limiting Oregon’s biggest threat. Seven-footer Nate Bittle came in as a potential game-changer, but IU made sure he never got comfortable. Bittle finished with 15 points, but needed 14 shots to get there, shooting just 3-of-14 from the field.
Indiana made an in-game adjustment on Bittle, initially doubling him on the block but later switching to more one-on-one coverage with help digs. “We didn’t want to give their shooters clean looks,” DeVries explained. “So we played him more straight up, but made sure he felt pressure.”
The strategy paid off. Oregon shot under 50% from two-point range and managed just eight offensive rebounds - a key area where they could’ve hurt Indiana.
Still, the Hoosiers weren’t perfect. They only forced six turnovers and allowed Oregon to get to the line 25 times.
Those extra possessions helped the Ducks stay within striking distance longer than they probably should have.
Oregon ended up scoring 1.12 points per possession - not a terrible number for IU’s defense, but not elite either. The Hoosiers got the job done, but there’s room to tighten things up, especially when it comes to ball pressure and limiting free throws.
PLAYER GRADES
Tucker DeVries (B+)
DeVries continues to be the Swiss Army knife of this team.
Whether it’s knocking down shots, facilitating offense, or scoring inside, he adapts to what the game needs. He’s not forcing the issue - just making the right plays, over and over again.
Lamar Wilkerson (A)
Wilkerson was electric.
After missing his first five shots, he caught fire and couldn’t miss, hitting 13 of his next 15. And these weren’t wide-open looks - he was creating, attacking, and finishing in traffic.
The confidence, the aggression, the shot-making - it was all there. This was a breakout performance that showed just how complete his offensive game has become.
Sam Alexis (A)
Alexis didn’t just have a perfect shooting night - he made history.
Going 8-for-8 from the field, he posted the second-best single-game field goal percentage in IU history. But what stood out even more was his energy.
He was active on both ends, running the floor, battling on the glass, and finishing strong inside. His growth in this offense is becoming a real asset for the Hoosiers.
Conor Enright (A-)
Enright is the steady hand at the wheel.
Eight assists to just one turnover - that’s elite floor general work. And for good measure, he led the team with six rebounds, despite being the smallest player on the court.
He’s doing all the little things that help this offense hum.
Nick Dorn (B-)
Dorn’s shot hasn’t quite been there lately, but he found a way to contribute by getting to the line and seeing a few go down. That could be the spark he needs to get back on track, especially with some tough road environments coming up.
BOTTOM LINE
Indiana showed what it can be when everything’s working - a team with multiple scoring threats, smart ball movement, and enough defensive versatility to frustrate opponents. The Hoosiers didn’t just beat Oregon - they imposed their style and dictated the game for most of the night.
There’s still work to do, especially on the defensive end, but this was a statement win. If Indiana can bottle up this kind of offensive execution, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone down the stretch.