Video, Quotes: Darian DeVries talks IU basketball offseason with Andy Katz

Second-year IU basketball coach Darian DeVries joined Andy Katz recently for an offseason IU basketball update.

DeVries discussed IU’s new roster, expectations, several key players for next season and much more.

Watch the full interview below and read a transcript of everything DeVries had to say:

On the roster reconstruction that has taken place in Bloomington:

“Yeah, we’re really excited about it. I felt like the roster came together the way we wanted it to. I felt like we put together some good balance across the board.

“I think we have some good depth at all the positions, some good versatility there, too. And then everybody got on campus and the good part is for us, like we’ve really liked the way they’ve approached it and the way they’re working. And it’s been a fun few weeks as we’ve gotten to know them and get this whole group together.”

On reassessing what went wrong last season:

“Yeah, I thought the biggest thing, we certainly had moments during the course of the year where I thought we were playing at a level that met our expectations. And then that slide late in the year was tough. But throughout the year, it was, you’re doing a constant evaluation as you go through Big Ten play and you’re always looking ahead as you’re thinking about what you got to do for next year and recruiting and all that stuff while staying in the moment as well.

“So, I think as you go through Big Ten play, the thing that stood out was just the physicality of the league and the size that you have to have. And we made that certainly a priority as we went into the offseason to add some depth there and make sure that we have a front line that can match some of that girth and physicality throughout the year. And then I thought we added some good versatility from the perimeter. We got some good depth there. We got some young guys too, some young freshmen that we’re really excited about. So, I think we got a good balance of some experience, some young guys coming in.

“And the really good part is, we don’t have outside of one guy, everybody’s an underclassman or a returner. So, we don’t have any seniors outside of one on the roster right now.”

On Markus Burton and Bryce Lindsay:

“Yeah, I’ve been really excited about what they brought so far this summer. Both those guys can fill it up. I mean, that’s, you know, and they have, each has their days that they kind of take turns with it.

“But, I love their approach. I think Markus has been incredible in just his leadership and the energy he brings every day. He’s excited to be healthy. So, it’s been fun to watch him. We’ve limited him a little bit, just out of precaution as he’s coming back. But overall, he’s looked really sharp and gotten better and better each week as he’s gotten back into the flow of things.

“But him and Bryce give you that versatility of scoring. They give you the versatility of playmaking. So, I’m excited about what they can bring, especially in those late clock situations. You need those guys five seconds or less. ‘Hey, bail us out.’ And they have the capability of doing that.”

On the shooting with the new group:

“I like this group’s shooting. I think we have great depth there as well. I think Darren Harris has looked really good in our workouts so far this summer. He’s done a lot of things similar to Lamar (Wilkerson) in our workouts. So, that’s exciting because we all know how Lamar could fill it up. Markus can shoot it. Bryce can shoot it. Jaeden Mustaf has shot it very well. Our freshmen have been shooting it.

“And then Aiden Sherrell has shot the ball incredibly well here throughout the summer so far. So, it gives us a lot of different ways that we can stretch the floor.”

On Samet Yigitoglu:

“Yeah, he’s just a big guy. And he loves it. Like, he loves bringing that physicality. He loves being down in the interior rebounding. He loves all that stuff. He’s a great screener.

“The thing I’ve liked so far this summer is he’s a great passer. And he’s really played well out of some of the high post action we love to do on top of it. So, I’m excited about him. And when he walks through the door, he’s legit. He’s big. 7-2 plus. So, I’m excited to have him with us this year.”

On the frontcourt depth:

“Yeah, we’re still waiting on that a little bit. We have one guy coming that was coming at the start of school. So, right now, it’s really those two (Sherrell and Yigitoglu).

“He’s known publicly (Clemens Sokolov), but he just isn’t here yet. So, we’ll get him here in August. I won’t get his last name correct. So, I’m not even going to attempt it yet until I get the correct pronunciation from him when we get here.

“So, it’ll be Samet and Aiden. And I anticipate those two starting at the four and five. We’ll see how the summer plays out. And then Clemens will come in and hopefully give us that third big that they can rotate around a little bit. Aiden can slide to the five as well.

“We have Trent Sisley back from last year’s squad. So, he gives you a little bit more of that kind of perimeter interior guy. But I think he’s had a really good spring and heading into the summer as well. I think he’s really made some strides from his freshman year heading into his sophomore year.”

On the non-conference schedule:

“Yeah, I think we got some really good challenging games that we’re excited about. And then the Big Ten schedule with the 20 games there. We have that exhibition game with North Carolina.

“So, I think we’re going to certainly get some really good quality games to challenge us, test us, get us ready for Big Ten play. And the trip this summer, we don’t know who the teams we’re playing necessarily, but we anticipate there will be some good games there as well. But I think overall, when you got a group like this, it’s learning how to compete together, win together, special situations, all those things. So, we’re going to get a great advanced look here in the summertime as we take that Peru trip.”

On how it feels to be back for another year after going through changing jobs the last few offseasons:

“I’m excited about it. You know, you have your staff in place. You’ve gone through the league for a year, so you have a really good feel there as well.

“Your staff, you know, even when your staff, some new guys, like they’re feeling out in that first year, how we like to do things, that type of stuff. So, heading into year two, you’re just in a much better position as you’re getting ready for that second run of Big Ten play. So, like I said, I like how the roster came together.

“I think the staff’s got to get a really good feel now for what we’re trying to accomplish with the Big Ten, what we got to be great at to be at a high, high level in this league. And we’re certainly excited about year two.”

On the expectations with basketball given football’s success under Curt Cignetti:

“Yeah, I think it’s still the expectations are very high here. We have those same expectations our fans do. We want to win.

“We want to win Big Ten championships. We want to play deep into the tournament. And that’s our goal every year.
And we’re looking forward to this second year of chasing down those goals and very excited about it because Indiana basketball is still a big brand. And the fans here, they’re all about it and excited about it. And we can’t wait to get back out on the floor again.”

On the NCAA tournament expansion:

“I don’t think it changes anything. I think for us, it’s always, not only make the tournament, but be as high a seed as possible and entering the tournament to give yourself the best chance to make a run. And that’s our goal.

“Expanding the tournament is great, but we want to be in the tournament securely and early and be in the best position that we can to go as far as we can. So that’s what our goals are. That’s what our expectations are.
And we’re excited about it.”

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

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