Three takeaways from IU basketball’s open practice and observations on each player

Indiana's Reed Bailey shoots a hook shot.

IU basketball opened its doors to the media on Wednesday afternoon for practice as the team prepares for its August trip to Puerto Rico.

The team practiced in Cook Hall, with nine scholarship players participating. Jason Drake and Nick Dorn were both unavailable due to injuries and Aleska Ristic and Andrej Acimovic have not arrived in Bloomington.

Here are three takeaways from watching the new-look Hoosiers work for an hour, along with some observations on each player.

3-point shooting is a priority

For the first time in a long time, perimeter shooting is a priority for IU basketball.

Eight of the nine scholarship players available took a 3-pointer during the practice, with Florida transfer Sam Alexis being the lone Hoosier to not attempt a shot from the perimeter.

There is a strong emphasis on crisp passing to deliver the ball in a spot where the player who makes the catch can go right into a shooting motion.

Lamar Wilkerson’s release is quick and efficient. Jasai Miles hit a tough contested 3-pointer going to his left in a late shot clock situation. Reed Bailey knocked in several attempts from distance at game speed.

And every time a shot went down, everyone in the gym – coaches, players, support staff – clapped enthusiastically.

“I think we’ve got a group that really understands offense,” coach Darian DeVries said after practice. “They understand screening and finding windows to get opportunities to find and locate those shots. They’ve done a really good job to this point of being unselfish, moving the ball, sharing the ball, taking care of the ball. And guys have taken advantage of those opportunities when they’ve gotten them.”

Energy was a consistent theme

From the minute practice began, there was energy and enthusiasm in Cook Hall.

The practice began with several timed drills on both ends of the floor and every member of the program in the gym was in constant movement and communicating.

Whether it was a defensive rebounding drill or working on a three-man break that ended in a transition 3-pointer, coaches and support staff were audible at all times, providing feedback and encouragement.

When a drill ended, the players seamlessly transitioned to the next thing with only a few short breaks throughout the hour for water. The organization and efficiency were impressive.

“We think you’ve got to approach it every day with some energy and enthusiasm,” DeVries explained. “And that allows guys — guys are going to get tired — it allows other guys to pick you up on those days. So we put a huge emphasis on that. I think creating that type of talk and energy on a daily basis leads to productivity on the floor, too.

“And then the pace that we practice, we try to really kind of simulate how we want to play out on the game day floor. So everything we do, there’s not a lot of downtime, not a lot of extra talking. We want to play fast, play aggressive and keep things moving.”

An early glimpse at the first five ahead of Puerto Rico

While there was no full-court five-on-five work in the hour-long session, many of the early drills featured five players in white jerseys who likely make up the current starting five for the first DeVries team.

Those five: Bailey, Tucker DeVries, Wilkerson, Tayton Conerway and Conor Enright.

The first four names on that list aren’t a surprise, and given Enright’s experience in the DeVries system from his time at Drake, along with how hard he plays, his inclusion in the current five makes sense.

Alexis will undoubtedly be a big part of the rotation as well and Miles has the length and shot-making ability to provide a major offensive spark, whether as a starter or off the bench.

Observations on all nine scholarship players

DeVries: The two-time MVC player of the year doesn’t need much space to get his shot off. And with his size and release, it’s hard to contest his attempts effectively. With Conerway’s ability to get the ball into the paint and the lane, he’ll be able to find shooters on the perimeter often. And DeVries should be a primary target. Defensively, he was as vocal as anyone on the floor during drills, calling out coverages to his teammates who are still learning.

Bailey: While not a physically imposing big man, he doesn’t shy away from contact and used his body effectively on several occasions against Alexis at the rim. Most impressive, however, is his ability to handle, pass and shoot the ball at his size – 6-foot-10. He’ll be able to draw defenders out of the paint and moves very well for a big man.

Wilkerson: There was a long stretch where Wilkerson didn’t miss a shot. Whether it’s a 3-pointer or a midrange jump shot, his attempts look like they’re going in. He can shoot off the catch or the dribble. Wilkerson also plays with a lot of enthusiasm and a smile. He looked like a player who embraces the work every day.

Conerway: DeVries called Conerway unique, unconventional and creative, which are all accurate descriptions of his game. Conerway brought constant energy, had some excellent passes and did a good job getting where he wanted with the ball. Given the strong shooting surrounding him, he should be able to get assists just from paint touches and kick-outs to the perimeter. Defensively, he has quick hands and does a good job of moving his feet.

Enright: It won’t be a surprise to see Enright become a fan favorite quickly. He competes hard defensively and makes good reads offensively. There isn’t much flashy about his game but playing hard is a skill and he brings it on every possession.

Alexis: The Florida transfer is the closest thing on the roster to a rim protector and was one of the best rebounders in the hour-long practice. Indiana will need him to stay healthy as the frontcourt depth is thin.

Miles: A long, rangy wing, it’s not hard to see why Miles averaged over 15 points per game last season at North Florida. He’s aggressive in looking for his offense and he should be able to shoot over smaller defenders. His length should also allow him to become a strong defender once he learns the ins and outs of the DeVries defensive system.

Trent Sisley: His physique isn’t that of a typical college freshman. Sisley has put in significant time in the weight room since transferring to Montverde Academy. Sisley had a few strong takes to the rim and also knocked down a few perimeter shots in the practice. While it’s unlikely he’s in the top seven of the rotation currently, it’s also not a stretch to believe he’ll contribute as a freshman.

Josh Harris: While he’s undersized, Harris doesn’t back down from anyone at the rim. He was more athletic than anticipated and should provide depth behind Bailey and Alexis in the frontcourt.

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

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