Chicago Showdown: Indiana's Season Ends with a Loss to Northwestern
In a game that seemed to encapsulate Indiana’s recent struggles, Tayton Conerway’s errant pass with eight minutes left on the clock was a fitting symbol of the Hoosiers' woes. Indiana fell to Northwestern 74-61 in the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center, marking their seventh consecutive defeat to the Wildcats and likely concluding their 2025-26 basketball season.
With an 18-14 record, Indiana isn’t expected to receive an NCAA Tournament bid, and there are no plans for them to participate in the NIT or The Crown. Unless something unexpected occurs, Coach Darian DeVries’ inaugural season at the helm has come to a close.
The Hoosiers were riding high at 17-8 after impressive victories over Wisconsin and Oregon, but a late-season slump saw them drop six of their final seven games, including two to Northwestern.
Reflecting on the season, Tucker DeVries expressed the team’s disappointment: "We came here wanting to lay the groundwork for this program and set the tone, but we couldn't capitalize on some opportunities down the stretch."
For the seniors, the end of the season is particularly bittersweet. "It really sucks that none of us are going to put this uniform on again for a regular season or this tournament," DeVries added.
Despite notable wins against Wisconsin, Purdue, and a rare victory at UCLA, the Hoosiers’ 1-6 finish sealed their postseason fate. Senior Lamar Wilkerson, who led the team with 17 points despite an ankle issue, acknowledged the team’s struggles: "We just got stagnant. We weren't playing our best basketball, and self-inflicted mistakes cost us."
Northwestern, leading by 18 points with just over five minutes remaining, maintained control despite not scoring a field goal in the last 6:10 of the game. Indiana’s offensive efficiency plummeted from 1.5 points per possession in the first 10 minutes to just 0.89 in the second half.
Nick Martinelli was a standout for Northwestern, matching his previous 28-point performance against Indiana, while freshman Jake West surprised with a career-high tying 18 points.
Coach Darian DeVries praised his team’s resilience: "It's a great group to coach. Their practice habits were strong, and they represented the program well. Despite the challenges, they maintained a positive locker room."
As the Hoosiers reflect on the season, DeVries emphasized the importance of unity: "There’s no going back. Every season has games you wish you could redo. But this group stuck together and continued to work hard, and I’m grateful for that, especially from our seniors."
Indiana’s season may have ended earlier than hoped, but the foundation laid by this team could pave the way for future success under Coach DeVries.