Hoosier basketball fans might have felt a twinge of envy watching Miami (OH) take on SMU in the First Four. The RedHawks delivered an offensive masterclass, securing an 89-79 victory that left Indiana fans dreaming of a similar style for their team.
When Darian DeVries took over Indiana's program, there were high hopes for a dynamic offense reminiscent of his days at Drake-where ball movement, pace, and three-point shooting were the norm. Unfortunately, this season didn’t quite live up to those expectations.
Travis Steele’s RedHawks have perfected this style, showcasing it to the nation on Wednesday. Their offense was fluid and unselfish, with players moving the ball and making the extra pass to find the best shot. This energy and confidence were notably absent from Indiana’s play this year.
Miami’s balanced attack is particularly enviable. Unlike Indiana, which leaned heavily on Lamar Wilkerson, Miami spreads the scoring load.
Wilkerson shouldered much of the scoring burden for Indiana, leading the team in nine of their last ten games with an impressive 24.7 points per game. Despite his efforts, Indiana missed March Madness for the eighth time in ten years.
Wilkerson’s 20.9 points per game ranked second in the Big Ten, but only Tucker DeVries joined him in double-digit scoring, averaging 13.7 points. This lack of depth was a persistent issue for Indiana.
Miami, on the other hand, is a powerhouse from beyond the arc. Leading the nation with a 52.5% team shooting percentage and ranking eighth nationally at 39.1% from three-point range, they drained 16 threes against SMU. Indiana’s three-point shooting, at just 34.7%, lagged significantly, placing them 11th in the Big Ten.
The RedHawks’ ability to find rhythm quickly and play at a fast pace makes them difficult to defend. Their roster stability, with minimal transfers, has fostered strong chemistry, allowing them to execute efficiently.
Indiana faces a challenging offseason with a major roster overhaul. Seniors like Wilkerson, Conor Enright, Reed Bailey, Tayton Conerway, Tucker DeVries, and Sam Alexis accounted for a significant portion of the team’s minutes and scoring. This turnover could hinder offensive chemistry moving forward.
As DeVries and his staff look to Year 2, drawing inspiration from Miami’s playbook might just be the key to unlocking Indiana’s potential.