Lamar Wilkerson Is Powering Indiana’s Late-Season Surge-and Everyone’s Taking Notice
Lamar Wilkerson isn’t just making the most of his final year of college basketball-he’s redefining it. After transferring from Sam Houston to Indiana for his last ride, the veteran guard has elevated his game to a whole new level.
He was already a proven scorer with the Bearkats, but what he’s doing with the Hoosiers? That’s next-level stuff.
Wilkerson is averaging 21.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, and he’s doing it with efficiency and poise. He’s not just filling up the stat sheet-he’s doing it while being the focal point of every scouting report.
Defenses are keying in on him, throwing traps, switching coverages, trying everything they can to slow him down. And yet, he’s still producing.
After Indiana’s dominant home win over Oregon on Monday night, head coach Darian DeVries didn’t mince words when asked about his senior star.
“Look at the numbers. Look at what he’s doing,” DeVries said.
“And he’s a focal point for defenses. Do you know how hard it is to get 41 points?
He’s done it twice. He’s doing it with percentages.
He’s an incredible teammate.”
That’s not just coach-speak. That’s a head coach making a strong case for national recognition. DeVries believes Wilkerson deserves to be in the conversation for every major award this season-and with the way he’s playing, it’s hard to argue.
Indiana’s Tournament Push Is Gaining Steam
The Hoosiers are now 17-8 overall and 8-6 in Big Ten play, and they’ve climbed into the projected No. 9 seed in the latest Bracketology forecasts. After a sluggish start to the season, Indiana is finding its rhythm-and Wilkerson is the engine behind that momentum.
Their recent wins over Wisconsin and Oregon may have been expected, but that’s what good teams do: they handle business against beatable opponents. With six games left before Selection Sunday, Indiana is in a strong position to lock up a tournament spot-and Wilkerson’s performance down the stretch could determine just how high they climb.
The remaining schedule features four Quad 1 matchups and two Quad 3 games. If Indiana can protect home court against Northwestern and Minnesota, that alone might be enough to secure a bid. But if they can also steal a Quad 1 win from Illinois, Purdue, Michigan State, or Ohio State, they’ll be dancing-and possibly doing so with some serious seeding momentum.
Wilkerson’s Big Ten Player of the Year Case Is Building
When you’ve got a guy who can put up 40-plus in conference play-not once, but twice-you’ve got something special. Wilkerson isn’t just putting up numbers; he’s doing it in the moments that matter, against the teams that matter. That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed.
If he can deliver a signature performance or two in these final Quad 1 games, he could vault himself into the Big Ten Player of the Year conversation. Yes, he might need a strong showing in the conference tournament to seal the deal, but the foundation is there.
The numbers are there. The impact is undeniable.
Let’s not forget-this is Wilkerson’s only season in Bloomington. He didn’t come up through the Hoosiers’ system, but he’s quickly become the heartbeat of this team. His presence has elevated the program, and he’s using this platform to showcase not only his individual talent but also Indiana’s resurgence as a force in the Big Ten.
Nobody Wants to See the Hoosiers Right Now
With Wilkerson leading the charge, Indiana has become one of the most dangerous teams in the conference. They’re peaking at the right time, and they’ve got a go-to guy who can take over a game whenever they need him to.
And that’s the thing about March-it’s not always the most talented team that makes the deepest run. It’s the hottest team, the one with the right mix of experience, confidence, and a star who can carry the load. Right now, Indiana checks all those boxes.
Lamar Wilkerson is playing like a man on a mission. And if he keeps this up, he won’t just take Indiana back to the tournament-he might just take them on a run.