For much of the opening 10 minutes on Monday night, Indiana struggled to establish an offensive rhythm against Eastern Illinois. But as the Hoosiers applied more defensive pressure, the game quickly took a different shape.
What had been a competitive contest turned into a comfortable 91-57 victory at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, as Indiana’s defensive activity fueled its transition offense and offered an early glimpse of the identity head coach Darian DeVries hopes to establish in his second season.
Despite both teams shooting 50 percent from the field, Indiana’s ability to create additional possessions proved decisive. The Hoosiers forced 22 turnovers, including 14 in the first half, and held a 29-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
“I thought midway through the first half our defense really, really turned up,” DeVries said after the game. “I thought we weren’t aggressive enough early in the game. I thought our ball pressure and activity really picked up in the second part of the first half.”
That increased intensity changed the game’s complexion.
After Eastern Illinois trimmed Indiana’s lead to 24-21 midway through the first half, the Panthers went more than nine minutes without scoring. Indiana capitalized with an 18-0 run, turning a narrow advantage into a commanding 44-23 halftime lead.
For a team built around athleticism, versatility and speed, the stretch demonstrated how quickly defensive stops can translate into scoring opportunities.
“When we create those turnovers and just getting out and pushing and running on our side … when we get steals and get out in transition, we’re hard to stop,” guard Jaeden Mustaf said.
Indiana’s offense extended beyond transition opportunities. The Hoosiers made nine 3-pointers on 24 attempts, while consistently attacking the paint and drawing fouls.
Markus Burton, making his regular-season debut after transferring in from Notre Dame, led the way with 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.
Perhaps equally important was Burton’s ability to facilitate the offense. He finished with five assists and just one turnover, repeatedly getting into the lane and forcing Eastern Illinois defenders to collapse before finding open teammates.
“His aggressiveness has really cranked up,” DeVries said. “It’s not just scoring. He’s being aggressive and making plays.”
Burton’s performance illustrated another important element of Indiana’s offensive approach. Although the Hoosiers have several capable scorers, DeVries wants his guards to initiate offense by attacking the defense rather than settling for perimeter shots.
“I feel like we’ve got a full team of guys that can get in the paint and create for all our teammates,” Burton said. “Obviously, Coach preaches on me just making my teammates better. That’s what I’m here to do.”
Indiana also benefited from its depth, with Bryce Lindsay contributing 14 points off the bench and freshman Trevor Manhertz adding 11. DeVries emphasized his confidence in the rotation, particularly its ability to sustain energy and defensive pressure through frequent substitutions.
Still, Monday’s performance was far from flawless.
Despite the comfortable halftime lead, Indiana struggled to maintain the same defensive intensity early in the second half. Eastern Illinois found easier opportunities near the basket, prompting DeVries to challenge his players to maintain the standard they had established before halftime.
“They lived in our paint way too much in the second half,” DeVries said. “We got messed up on some switches and some things we were working on there.”
Mustaf acknowledged that the defensive lapses were particularly frustrating considering what Indiana had already demonstrated.
“We know what it looks like when we fully lock in,” Mustaf said. “He just challenged us to be at that standard at all times.”
For a roster featuring eight transfers and four true freshmen, that consistency remains a work in progress. The Hoosiers showed encouraging signs of what their athleticism and depth can produce, but maintaining defensive focus against stronger opponents will be a much bigger challenge.
Indiana opened its season with a convincing victory, but the most meaningful takeaway wasn’t the final margin. It was the stretch in which the Hoosiers’ defense dictated the pace, disrupted Eastern Illinois, and created offense without relying solely on shot-making.
Now, the challenge for DeVries and his squad is turning those stretches into a consistent identity.
