Indiana men’s basketball secured its second straight victory of the season, dismantling Bellarmine 92-69 on Thursday evening at Assembly Hall. Head coach Darian DeVries managed the clock effectively, sending in his end-of-the-bench lineup with multiple minutes remaining in the second half to rest key contributors. While the final scoreline reflects a comfortable win that moves the Hoosiers to 2-0, the margin of victory suggests there was more to be gained. The team displayed a strong overall effort, yet the performance contained noticeable roughness on the edges that could have been polished for a more dominant statement.
Darren Harris shines as the Hoosiers hit 2-0, but finishing touches need sharpening.
The standout performance belonged to Duke transfer Darren Harris, who validated his high-profile move to Bloomington with a 23-point outing. Harris finished 5-for-10 from three-point range, showcasing the sharpshooting reputation that earned him a spot in the college ranks. His confidence was palpable; he released shots without hesitation whenever he found a sliver of space. This decisive playmaking is exactly what DeVries’ system requires, and Harris’s ability to convert open looks into points provides Indiana with a reliable offensive engine for the remainder of the season.
Offensively, the Hoosiers demonstrated excellent ball movement, setting the tone early with 16 made field goals on 11 assists in the first half alone. Six different players contributed to that assist total, highlighting a selfless approach that created high-percentage looks for the team. However, the game was not without criticism, as the team left points on the table despite the lopsided score. As Indiana looks to refine its game, the focus will shift from simply winning to executing with greater precision, ensuring that the “nitpicks” identified in this matchup do not become recurring issues against tougher competition.
Source: Yahoo Sports
