Indiana's Tucker DeVries: A Veteran Sharpshooter with a Heavy Load and High Expectations
As Indiana wraps up the non-conference slate sitting at 10-3, the Hoosiers have leaned heavily on their experienced core-and perhaps no one has carried more weight than fifth-year senior Tucker DeVries. With Big Ten play looming, DeVries has emerged as both a key scoring option and a barometer for how far this team can go.
Let’s break down what’s been working for DeVries, where there’s room for improvement, and what Indiana will need from him as the schedule intensifies.
The Numbers: Production with Pedigree
DeVries came to Bloomington already established as one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball, and he hasn’t slowed down. Through 13 games, he’s averaging 16.2 points per contest-second on the team-and doing so with high usage and volume from deep.
He’s launching nearly nine threes a game (8.8 to be exact), connecting at a 35.7% clip despite a recent cold stretch. From the free-throw line, he’s been automatic, hitting a career-best 88.4%. Add in 5.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and a steal per game over 32.5 minutes, and you’re looking at a player doing a little bit of everything.
DeVries isn’t just putting up numbers-he’s logging the most minutes of any Hoosier, a testament to both his importance and endurance.
What’s Clicking: Shot-Making, Leadership, and Versatility
At his best, DeVries is a flamethrower from beyond the arc. He’s already posted four 20-point games this season, including a 27-point outburst against Marquette and a 26-point showing versus Louisville. In both games, his perimeter shooting tilted the floor in Indiana’s favor.
He’s hit three or more threes in eight of IU’s 13 games, averaging 3.2 makes from distance per outing. That puts him on pace for nearly 100 threes in the regular season alone-a mark that would be among the best in program history.
DeVries also brings more to the table than just scoring. He’s pulled down two double-doubles already and leads the team in rebounding, showing a willingness to mix it up inside. He’s also been steady at the line, and in tight games, that kind of reliability is gold.
In wins over Lindenwood and Bethune-Cookman, he earned game MVP honors, going a combined 10-for-20 from three. When DeVries is feeling it, Indiana’s offense opens up in a big way.
Where the Struggles Lie: Consistency and Defensive Matchups
That said, DeVries hasn’t been immune to slumps. Since the Hoosiers’ December 3 loss to Minnesota, he’s shooting just 26.7% from three (15-for-56). That six-game stretch has coincided with a 3-3 record for Indiana-a clear sign that when his shot isn’t falling, the offense can stagnate.
The extended holiday break could be just what he needs to recalibrate. DeVries is a rhythm shooter, and sometimes it’s about getting the legs back under you after logging heavy minutes.
Defensively, he’s had some issues staying in front of quicker, more athletic wings. His awareness and positioning are generally solid, but when teams isolate him in space, he can be exposed. As Big Ten play ramps up, expect opponents to test him on that end.
One other area to monitor: his free-throw rate has dipped. At Drake, he got to the line 5.6 times per game during his standout junior year.
This season, that number’s down to 3.3. He’s still converting at an elite rate, but getting to the stripe more often would not only boost his scoring but also help Indiana control tempo in grind-it-out Big Ten matchups.
Looking Ahead: The Hoosiers Need His Shooting to Travel
As Indiana shifts into the heart of conference play, DeVries will be a focal point-not just for the Hoosiers, but for opposing scouting reports. In IU’s three losses, he’s gone just 6-for-30 from deep. That’s the blueprint teams will try to replicate: stay physical with him on the catch, make him work off the ball, and hope the minutes wear him down late.
But when DeVries is locked in, he’s the kind of shooter who can flip a game in a matter of possessions. Alongside Lamar Wilkerson and Nick Dorn, he gives Indiana a trio of perimeter threats who can stretch defenses and create space for the offense to breathe.
The formula is simple: when DeVries is hitting, Indiana’s ceiling rises. The Hoosiers don’t need him to be perfect-they just need him to be efficient and timely. If he finds his groove from deep again, Indiana becomes a much tougher out in the Big Ten.
The next chapter starts January 4 against Washington. And you can bet all eyes will be on No. 23.