As Darian DeVries gears up for his second year leading the Indiana basketball program, the stakes couldn't be higher. Last season, the Hoosiers were on the brink of a March Madness appearance by mid-February, but a tough 1-6 finish dashed those hopes. DeVries wrapped up his debut season with an 18-14 overall record and a 9-11 tally in the competitive Big Ten-solid, but leaving room for improvement.
This offseason, DeVries has been busy fine-tuning Indiana's roster through the transfer portal, building a squad that boasts potential and versatility. Yet, if last season taught him anything, it's that depth is indispensable. Enter Angelo Brizzi, a name that should be on Indiana's radar as they continue to bolster their lineup.
Brizzi, a 6'3", 195-pound guard from Buffalo, has recently been granted a hardship waiver by the NCAA, giving him a fifth year of eligibility. His journey through college basketball is a testament to perseverance, having played for Villanova, Davidson, Longwood, and Buffalo.
Last season at Buffalo, Brizzi delivered his best performance yet, averaging 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He shot an impressive 48.0% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range, showcasing his scoring prowess.
Throughout his collegiate career, Brizzi has consistently contributed, averaging 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. His shooting stats-43.8% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc, and 77.5% from the free-throw line-highlight his reliability on the court.
Now, the question for Indiana is whether they need more backcourt depth. DeVries has already made significant additions through the transfer portal, bringing in high-caliber talents like Markus Burton from Notre Dame, Jaeden Mustaf from Georgia Tech, Darren Harris from Duke, and Bryce Lindsay from Villanova. Alongside these seasoned players, incoming freshman combo guard Prince-Alexander Moody is also poised to make an impact.
While the current roster is strong, adding a player like Brizzi could provide an extra layer of experience and scoring ability. His skill set aligns well with DeVries' system, offering reliable scoring, rebounding support, and ball-handling capabilities. For a program eager to make a deeper run in March Madness, expanding the backcourt with a seasoned player like Brizzi could be a strategic move.
In the wake of a challenging first season, DeVries has clearly recalibrated his approach to the transfer portal. Bringing in a player with Brizzi's experience and recent success could be the boost Indiana needs to turn the corner and make a significant impact in the coming season.
In Other News...
Curt Cignetti Just Turned Up The Heat On Memorial Stadium Talks
Indianas recent run of sellouts at Memorial Stadium has moved the long-running stadium conversation from theoretical to increasingly practical. Curt Cignetti and athletic director Scott Dolson have both shown support for upgrades, and the focus around campus now includes the kind of work that can happen sooner, like concourse refinements, mechanical and infrastructure improvements and more luxury suites, while the bigger question of what comes next keeps lingering in the background.
The momentum is easy to understand when the building is packed as often as it has been lately, with four sellouts in each of the last two seasons and a chance at something Indiana has not seen in decades. The university is still sorting through what a larger Memorial Stadium could eventually look like, and the conversation has already reached beyond maintenance and amenities into the kind of structural changes that would reshape the place for the next era. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Just Landed A Massive National Spotlight Moment
Indianas recent run of national relevance has spilled well beyond the usual Big Ten conversation, with ESPNs 2026 ESPY nominations giving the program another jolt of attention. Former IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza landed a pair of nods, one for Best Breakthrough Athlete and another for Best College Athlete, while Indiana football itself is in the mix for Best Team. Former Hoosier OG Anunoby also drew an ESPY nomination, adding another high-profile name to a list that has put Indiana back in the national frame.
The team category is especially notable because Indiana is being judged alongside a crowded field of championship-level competitors, a reminder of just how rare these spotlight moments can be for a college football program. The Hoosiers place on that ballot traces back to a 16-0 season that ended with a national title, and the nomination alone is a sign of how loudly the sports biggest stage has noticed what happened in Bloomington. [Read more 🡒]