Indiana basketball is reeling after losing four-straight games and watching its NCAA Tournament hopes become increasingly bleak. With only two regular season games remaining, plus the Big Ten Tournament next week, the Hoosiers are running out of time to make their case for inclusion into March Madness.
On Monday night, IU coach Darian DeVries joined Don Fischer for their weekly radio show Inside IU Basketball. DeVries detailed Indiana's recent four-game skid, what's contributed to the Hoosiers' struggles over the last few weeks and much more. In the final segment, new Executive Director of Basketball Ryan Carr joins the show.
All notes and quotes are per DeVries unless otherwise stated. The full show notes are provided below.
ON INDIANA'S LOSS VS. NORTHWESTERN:
- "That was a game we were very concerned about as a coaching staff because Northwestern had been one of those teams that, a lot of games, they've been right there, six minutes to go and they end up losing by four. They're a very gritty, physical team and they fight you."
- "I could tell in our locker room that guys were really hurt after that loss. That was a tough one for them. A game that we knew was important for us. Very disappointed that we weren't able to come away with a win."
ON INDIANA'S LOSS VS. MICHIGAN STATE:
- "They're continuing to leave it all out there. I thought they did again last night (vs. MSU). They were scrapping, they were diving on the floor for every loose ball. You could tell the urgency they were playing with, and unfortunately I thought we got a very good shot from Michigan State, too."
- "The offensive rebounds in the second half was something that was too much for us to overcome." ... "You're battling, wrestling down there for rebounds, and when you don't come up with them, it makes for a tough night to upset a team like that at home."
- DeVries notes that MSU is the fastest team in the country pushing the ball on offense after a made basket. MSU had multiple made shots vs. Indiana within 4-5 seconds of an Indiana made shot.
- On Lamar Wilkerson, Tucker DeVries' performances: "Seniors trying to do everything they can to end on a positive note. They know how big these games are and the opportunities we have are slimming, but we still have opportunities in front of us."