Indiana Snaps Skid in Style, Dominates Rutgers Behind Explosive Trio
Coming off a four-game slide, Indiana needed a response. They didn’t just get one-they delivered a statement. From the opening tip in Piscataway, the Hoosiers looked like a team with something to prove, racing out to an early lead and never looking back in an emphatic 82-59 win over Rutgers.
Let’s break it down.
A Fast Start and a Fresh Feel
The tone was set immediately. Tucker DeVries drilled a three on Indiana’s first possession, and suddenly the Hoosiers looked like a completely different team than the one that had stumbled through recent losses to Iowa and Michigan.
For the first time in weeks, the offense flowed. The ball moved.
Players cut with purpose. Open shots weren’t just taken-they were expected.
Rutgers, a team that’s struggled defensively all season, gave Indiana space to operate, and the Hoosiers made them pay. After sputtering out of the gate in their last two games, Indiana flipped the script. This time, it was their opponent who never led, never found rhythm, and never looked particularly comfortable.
The Big Three: Wilkerson, DeVries, and Dorn
Let’s talk about the trio that stole the show.
When three players combine for 72 points in a Big Ten game, that’s not just a good night-that’s a rarity. Lamar Wilkerson, Tucker DeVries, and Nick Dorn were sensational. Each brought something different to the table, and together, they overwhelmed Rutgers.
Wilkerson looked like the best version of himself again, pouring in 27 points and knocking down five threes, including a dagger from the left corner that silenced the crowd. DeVries, who’s been trending upward lately, played with confidence and rhythm, starting with clean looks and progressing to tougher shots as the game wore on. He looked like a player who knew he had it going.
Then there was Dorn, making his first start in an Indiana uniform-and making it count. He scored 23 points on an efficient shooting night, going 6-of-10 from beyond the arc and a perfect 5-for-5 at the free-throw line.
He found space, spotted up, and let it fly. His confidence grew with each make, and by the second half, he looked like a veteran.
For a team that’s been searching for offensive consistency, getting all three guys going at once was a breakthrough. Indiana has had nights where one guy steps up. Friday night, they had three.
The Turning Point: Conerway and Alexis Step In
Rutgers made a push midway through the second half. The crowd came alive, and the Scarlet Knights trimmed a 20-point deficit to 12 with ten minutes to play. It felt like a moment that could turn the tide.
That’s when Tayton Conerway and Sam Alexis stepped up.
Conerway, coming off the bench for the first time this season after battling an ankle injury, delivered two driving layups that stopped the bleeding. He only finished with six points, but the timing of those buckets was massive. They were momentum killers-and they mattered.
Meanwhile, Alexis brought energy on both ends. He was active on the glass, contested shots, and finished with six blocks.
He even had a goaltend called on what looked like a clean swat-so he was this close to a seven-block night. He’s not known as a dominant shot blocker, but his timing and effort were exactly what Indiana needed to keep Rutgers from mounting a serious comeback.
Tariq Francis: A One-Man Show
Rutgers didn’t have much going offensively-except for Tariq Francis. And that might be an understatement.
Francis came off the bench and lit up the first half with 21 points, keeping Rutgers within striking distance almost entirely on his own. He’s quick, crafty, and can score at all three levels. He’s also already topped 1,000 career points after transferring from NJIT, and it’s easy to see why.
Indiana knew he was the guy they had to stop. They just couldn’t do it early.
Francis finished with 28 points and three assists in 28 minutes. Even when he wasn’t scoring, his gravity opened things up for teammates.
But with little help elsewhere, it wasn’t nearly enough.
Defensive Progress, But Still Work to Do
Let’s be clear-Indiana’s defense wasn’t perfect. Early on, they let Francis get loose, and there were stretches where the intensity dipped. But compared to the last four games, this was a step in the right direction.
Rutgers managed just 1.00 point per possession. That’s a noticeable improvement from the Hoosiers’ recent skid, where opponents were consistently scoring north of 1.23 points per trip.
Against the likes of Purdue and other top-tier Big Ten offenses, Indiana will need to keep tightening the screws. But Friday night showed signs that they’re capable of doing just that.
Looking Ahead
This was the performance Indiana needed-not just to stop the bleeding, but to remind themselves of who they can be. The offense clicked, the stars showed up, and the role players delivered in key moments. Most importantly, they looked like a team with belief again.
With a rivalry showdown against Purdue looming, Indiana has momentum on its side. And if they can bottle up what they showed in Piscataway-ball movement, shot making, and timely defense-they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the Big Ten.
For now, the Hoosiers can breathe. The losing streak is over.
The rhythm is back. And the road ahead suddenly looks a lot more interesting.