Indiana’s 92-69 win over Bellarmine on Thursday night at Assembly Hall gave the Hoosiers a clean start to the season at 2-0, but it also left enough on the table to keep the conversation interesting.
There was a lot to like in Bloomington, even if the final stretch featured Darian DeVries emptying the bench with several minutes still left in the second half. The Hoosiers had control for most of the night, yet the margin still felt like it could have grown larger.
Darren Harris was one of the biggest bright spots. The Duke transfer arrived with a reputation as a shooter, and he backed that up by knocking down 5 of 10 from 3-point range and finishing with 23 points.
He looked ready to fire the moment the ball hit his hands, and when he had even a sliver of space, he didn’t hesitate. That kind of confidence is clearly part of what DeVries is trying to build, and Indiana is going to need Harris to keep delivering that way.
The ball movement was sharp early. Indiana piled up 16 made field goals on 11 assists in the first half, and six different Hoosiers recorded an assist by the end of the game.
That flow wasn’t as steady after halftime, when the Hoosiers managed just five assists against nine turnovers. Still, that first-half rhythm showed what this roster can look like when the passing is crisp and the spacing works.
Markus Burton’s foul trouble remains a real issue. He fouled out with a few minutes left, and this isn’t new - it’s been showing up since the preseason exhibition games.
Burton has to play with some extra edge because of his size, but he can’t keep putting Indiana in that spot. With two 7-footers behind him to protect the rim, the Hoosiers need him on the floor, not watching from the bench.
Aiden Sherrell answered after a quiet opener. He put together an efficient line with 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting, six rebounds and two assists, while committing just one foul. It was a solid night all around, and there’s still room for more.
Indiana’s offense also cooled off after the break. The Hoosiers scored 50 in the first half while shooting 57.1% from the field, then came back with 42 points in the second half on 44.1% shooting.
Against Bellarmine, that was enough. Against better teams, it could open the door.
That’s why Monday against Syracuse will be a useful next test, especially if Indiana wants to keep the gas pedal down.
In Other News...
Indianas Quarterback Decision Suddenly Feels Bigger Than One Minnesota Win
Curt Cignetti spent part of his radio show this week trying to put Indianas quarterback situation in clearer focus, and the conversation only underscored how much the position now shapes the Hoosiers outlook. Starter Josh Hoover is still recovering from the injury he sustained against Ohio State and is resting for now, while Grant Wilson stepped in after halftime against Minnesota and helped steady the offense in a game Indiana eventually won in overtime.
Wilsons path to this moment has been a winding one, including a return to Bloomington after another player transferred, but Cignetti said he has confidence in the backups ability to handle the job. With Hoover unavailable and Wilson having just delivered in a pressure spot, the Hoosiers suddenly have a quarterback question that reaches beyond one comeback win and into the next stretch of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Urban Meyer Just Added Fuel To Indianas Playoff Debate
Urban Meyers latest turn in the College Football Playoff conversation only sharpened the pressure around Indianas place in the race. The former Ohio State coach, now working as a FOX commentator, said the Buckeyes are on life support in the rankings and need to keep winning, while also pointing out that Indiana has climbed high despite a schedule that has drawn scrutiny. He also flagged Notre Dames thin margin for error, adding another layer to a crowded national picture.
For Indiana, the bigger takeaway is not just where the Hoosiers sit, but how little room there is for any of the contenders to slip. Ohio States recent losses and difficult stretch ahead have made the Big Ten path even more crowded, and every ranking update seems to invite a fresh debate about who has earned its spot and who still has work to do. In a playoff race this tight, Indiana is no longer just trying to stay in the conversation - it is part of the argument. [Read more 🡒]
Curt Cignetti Just Gave Hoosiers Fans Another Reason To Rally
Curt Cignetti used his weekly radio show in Bloomington with Don Fischer to do more than break down Indiana football. He also took aim at the College Football Playoff rankings, arguing that the media gives too much benefit of the doubt to SEC teams. For Hoosiers fans, it was another reminder that their coach is willing to say out loud what plenty of people around the Big Ten have been muttering for years.
The comments quickly spread well beyond the local airwaves, giving Indiana another burst of attention at a time when the program is trying to keep building momentum. Cignetti has made a habit of defending the Big Ten, and this latest round only adds to the sense that he is comfortable leaning into conference pride while putting Indiana in the middle of a larger national conversation. [Read more 🡒]