Lamar Wilkerson shows why he’s ‘a special player’ in IU basketball’s win against Oregon

Photos from IU basketball's 92-74 win against Oregon.

Lamar Wilkerson tumbled to Assembly Hall’s hardwood as a piercing whistle cut through the palpable tension, signaling a foul on his latest 3-point heave. He sat just in front of Indiana’s bench, arms outstretched, seeking help from his teammates to stand up for the impending trio of free throws.

While Tucker DeVries and Nick Dorn were quick to come to Wilkerson’s aid, so too was Darian DeVries. The Hoosiers’ head coach promptly stepped onto the court and hoisted his star player to his feet.

The moment came in the second half of Wilkerson’s 41-point performance during Indiana’s 92-74 win against Oregon on Monday night, a half that Darian DeVries later called one of the most impressive he’s ever seen.

“Any time you have a guy like Lamar, you always have a chance because he can do what he did tonight,” Darian DeVries said. “That’s a special player.”

Thanks to his record-breaking 44 points against Penn State earlier this season, Wilkerson is now the first player in program history with multiple 40+ point games inside Assembly Hall. Over Indiana’s last six matchups, he’s averaged 28.2 points per game. He’s made five or more 3-pointers nine different times this season.

Wilkerson’s latest eye-catching performance is more evidence that he’s one of the nation’s most reliable scorers. While he entered the matchup ranked 25th in the nation with 20.5 points per game, he’s now averaging 24.4 points per contest in Big Ten play. Wilkerson has actually improved his scoring output despite the gauntlet of conference play.

“You know how hard it is to get 41 points?” Darian DeVries said. “And he’s done it twice this year already and putting up monster numbers with percentages to go with it. And he is an incredible teammate on top of it.”

That’s arguably his most valuable attribute. Wilkerson’s scoring is crucial, sure, but his ability to elevate his teammates is a key part of the Hoosiers’ identity. Look no further than Sam Alexis.

Alexis, a player who struggled to find offensive consistency in the post this season, is the most recent beneficiary of Wilkerson’s success on the perimeter. Alexis combined for 35 points on 17-for-18 shooting in Indiana’s last two games. It isn’t a coincidence; it’s a reflection of how the Hoosiers’ scoring attack evolves when Wilkerson demands attention.

“He doesn’t just hold the ball,” Tucker DeVries said. “He makes plays for other guys. He screens well. When you have a guy like that, that can draw the attention, that really helps a team. I’m very grateful to be a part of a team with him on it.”

Looking ahead, it’s a formula Indiana can follow. While Wilkerson won’t post 40 points every night, he will continue to garner extra attention from opposing defenses. The more that happens, the more opportunities players like Alexis, Dorn and Tucker DeVries will have to score in space.

That gravity gives the Hoosiers a certain amount of offensive freedom, something that Darian DeVries has been a strong advocate of in his first season at the helm in Bloomington.

Even when Wilkerson does struggle, he doesn’t dwell. Despite starting the game with five straight misses from the floor, he bounced back to make 13 of his final 15 shots.

“You make shots and you miss shots,” Wilkerson said. “We always try to live on the next-play mentality. You miss one, next play. It was easy. Everybody kept telling me keep shooting, one fell, and then the rest happened.”

After Indiana’s win against Wisconsin on Saturday, Darian DeVries remarked that Wilkerson would play pro basketball “for a long, long time.” Based on those words alone, the trust and confidence he has in his leading scorer is undeniable. It’s a player and coach bond that’s become essential to the Hoosiers’ success.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Darian DeVries was so quick to help Wilkerson to his feet, a quiet gesture that reflected the confidence and trust he places in his star player every possession.

Well after the game had ended, as the crowd of cream-and-crimson clad supporters filed out into the crisp February night, Wilkerson — now dressed in embroidered jeans and a sweatshirt — lingered on the court, signing autographs for the few fans who remained.

Soon after, he met with his mother, sister and brother and headed toward the Indiana locker room. During the short walk through the tunnel, the group posed for a quick picture to remember the occasion. Wilkerson reached for his phone and handed it to none other than Darian DeVries, who gladly took over cameraman duties.

Far removed from the boisterous roars during his historic 41-point performance, it was a quiet end to a night defined by Wilkerson’s scoring and his head coach’s trust.

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