Indiana moved to 9-3 on the season with a convincing 78-58 win over Chicago State on Saturday afternoon at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. It was a game that saw the Hoosiers put on a first-half shooting clinic before cooling off dramatically in the second, and while the scoreboard told the story of a comfortable win, head coach Darian DeVries left the floor with plenty to evaluate.
Here are five key takeaways from Indiana’s performance:
1. A Tale of Two Halves from Deep
For 20 minutes, Indiana looked like it couldn’t miss from beyond the arc. The Hoosiers knocked down 14 of their 26 three-point attempts in the first half - that’s a scorching 53.8 percent - and there was a stretch where it felt like every possession ended in a clean look and a swish.
But the second half? A complete reversal.
Indiana missed its first 16 attempts from deep after halftime and finished just 1-for-20 from three in the final 20 minutes. The looks were there - open, in rhythm - but the shots just wouldn’t fall.
“The shots we got in the second half were the same ones in the first half,” DeVries said postgame. “We were getting really good, clean looks by some of our best shooters, so it was one of those halves where you go 1 for 20.”
This game underscored a larger trend: Indiana lives and dies by the three. According to KenPom, nearly 38 percent of the Hoosiers’ points this season have come from beyond the arc, and over half of their total shot attempts are threes.
When the shots are falling - like they were in the first half - Indiana’s offense hums. But when they’re not, things can get dicey fast.
2. Defensive Rebounding Still a Work in Progress
If there’s one area that continues to concern DeVries, it’s defensive rebounding. And Saturday’s game didn’t do much to ease those worries.
Despite facing a Chicago State team that’s arguably the weakest on Indiana’s schedule this year, the Hoosiers allowed 11 offensive rebounds. The Cougars only turned those into six second-chance points, but the bigger issue is what that might look like against Big Ten opponents with more size and athleticism.
“Yeah, for us, it’s not there,” DeVries said. “We’re not there yet… That hasn’t quite registered yet with our group of how do we become a good defensive rebounding team?
Because we can. You have to do it a certain way for us to be successful.”
Indiana currently ranks 64th nationally in defensive rebounding percentage - not bad, but not elite. And for a team that’s a bit undersized in the frontcourt, it’s going to take a collective effort built on toughness, positioning, and desire. DeVries knows it, and he’s clearly trying to instill that mindset before Big Ten play ramps up.
3. Tucker DeVries Searching for His Stroke
Tucker DeVries is in a bit of a shooting funk, and Saturday didn’t help.
The senior forward went just 2-for-11 from three against Chicago State, following up a 1-for-9 outing in the loss to Kentucky. Over his last five games - three of which have been losses - DeVries is shooting just 25.5 percent from deep (12-for-47).
The good news? Most of his looks are still coming in rhythm and within the flow of the offense.
These aren’t forced shots - they’re the kind of attempts you want a shooter of DeVries’ caliber taking. His season percentage still sits at 35.8 percent, close to his career average, so this feels more like a temporary slump than a long-term concern.
The solution? Keep shooting. DeVries has too much of a track record to think this will last.
4. Nick Dorn Making a Strong Case for More Minutes
If there’s a silver lining to Indiana’s recent ups and downs, it’s the emergence of Nick Dorn.
The 6-foot-7 wing came off the bench and drilled five threes in just 19 minutes on Saturday. He’s now shooting a blistering 43.9 percent from beyond the arc this season (18-for-41), and his ability to stretch the floor is giving Indiana a much-needed boost.
“He’s giving us something additional, especially from a shooting standpoint,” DeVries said. “He’s one of those guys who can get two, three, four in a row in a hurry.”
Dorn didn’t stuff the stat sheet - just two rebounds on the day - but DeVries praised his development on the defensive end and on the glass. That’s where the coaching staff wants to see growth from role players, especially those fighting for a bigger piece of the rotation.
As Big Ten play approaches, Dorn’s ability to knock down shots and hold his own defensively could make him a key piece off the bench.
5. Reed Bailey Keeps Getting to the Line - and Converting
Reed Bailey’s stat line on Saturday - 17 points and eight rebounds - looked strong, but it’s his ability to draw fouls that continues to set him apart.
The 6-foot-10 Davidson transfer is drawing 7.5 fouls per 40 minutes, which ranks 22nd nationally. He’s attempted more free throws (64) than field goals (63) this season - a rare feat for a frontcourt player - and he’s making them count, shooting nearly 80 percent from the stripe.
That efficiency was on display again Saturday, as Bailey went 5-for-6 from the line.
At times, Bailey can look overmatched physically in the paint, especially on the boards. But his knack for getting defenders off balance and drawing contact is a real asset. In tight games - especially in conference play - that kind of free throw production can swing outcomes.
Final Thought:
Indiana did what it needed to do against an overmatched Chicago State squad, but the performance offered a microcosm of the season so far: flashes of offensive brilliance, stretches of inconsistency, and some lingering concerns on the defensive glass.
With one more non-conference game before the Big Ten grind begins, the Hoosiers have a clear roadmap - tighten up the rebounding, ride out the shooting slumps, and keep developing the bench. There’s talent here.
The question is whether they can put it all together when it counts.