Indiana University Athletics
Wednesday, November 5
Bloomington, Ind.
8:00 PM
Indiana University
1-0,0-0Big Ten
98
vs
51
Alabama A&M
1-1,0-0SWAC
1
2
F
Alabama A&M
22
29
51
Indiana
58
40
98
Offense Rolls in Season Opener
11/5/2025 10:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON. Ind. -- Rims aren't safe when Sam Alexis is around.
Sometimes, neither is the 3-point line.
The 6-foot-9 senior forward, a transfer from Florida, was part of an Indiana debut to remember as the Darian DeVries coaching era began with Wednesday night's 98-51 victory over Alabama A&M at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The Hoosiers (1-0) attacked relentlessly, swarmed ferociously, and shot consistently. They were 10-for-24 on 3-pointers and 16-for-16 from the line. Their 23 assists against 11 turnovers reflected crisp passing and ball movement.
Alabama A&M (1-1) had no chance.
"Coach DeVries is big on just moving the ball, being unselfish," guard Lamar Wilkerson said. "I think it was one practice like two weeks ago we had 31 assists to two turnovers.
"The ball is always moving. We feel like we're better playing when the ball is moving, moving off ball again, getting us open shots."
Added Darian DeVries: "This is what we've been talking about, what they've been doing in practice. I'm excited to see it carry to the game.
"This group has good IQ and feel. The play well off each other. They haven't played together a lot. They were out there just playing. That allows them to play fast and trust their instincts."
Few trusted it more than Alexis, a highlight show with 17 points, eight rebounds, and 6-for-7 shooting, including three dunks and a 3-pointer.
"Sam is awesome," forward Reed Bailey said. "He can change the game with the way he can play under the rim, play strong and attack the basket as well as space the floor. You saw him knock down that three. We have full faith in him to be able to do that.
"He's one of the live ones in the locker room. He keeps the good vibes up and keeps the energy high. I'm excited to see what he does this year."
Alexis wasn't the only highlight as five Hoosiers scored in double figures. Bailey led with 21 points. Wilkerson added 19. Guard Tayton Conerway had 14 points.
Forward Tucker DeVries joined the 2,000-career point club (2,004) with a do-it-all performance of 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
"I'm happy for him," Darian DeVries said. "It's a credit for all the hard work he's put in."
The coach paused, thinking of his own playing career.
"He doubled me up in points," he said with a smile.
"When you get the individual accomplishments, it's a credit to having good teammates and the work you put in. He's worked hard for all of that. It's great to see it showcased on the floor."
This was why Darian DeVries came to Indiana, a chance to do something special at a tradition-rich program.
"Tonight was special," DeVries said. "I was worried the guys would be too excited. They were so ready and pumped.
"I was excited-nervous. I didn't get much sleep last night. You worry about are we ready for this, are we ready for that? I was just anxious to just play. We had great preparation.
"This is a special place. There's not much like it in college ball. It's a privilege to be out there. It was a fun night, a special night. I hope it's the first of (many)."
IU dominated with a ruthless early combination of 4-for-6 3-point shooting and stifling defense during a 14-0 run that produced an 18-point lead in the first eight minutes and control the Hoosiers never lost.
At one point IU was shooting 73 percent from the field, was 9-for-9 on free throws, and had limited Alabama A&M to less than 20 percent shooting.
It wasn't flawless, especially in the second half. A couple of Alabama A&M 3-pointers sandwiched around a Hoosier turnover caused Coach DeVries to call a timeout to restore Hoosier focus and intensity.
The result -- multiple passes to set up an Alexis layup, and then a Tucker DeVries 3-pointer and then a Bailey dunk.
"We had them uncomfortable and got them pushed out," Coach DeVries said. "In the second half, we were not quite in tune.
"It was mentioned a couple of times in the second half. It's challenging. You get a big lead and human nature kicks in. It will be great to have something to talk about tomorrow."
IU's first points of the season came on a Wilkerson 3-pointer one minute into the game. The Hoosiers followed by forcing an Alabama A&M shot-clock violation and then made a steal to push ahead 9-3.
A Tucker DeVries 3-pointer and an Alexis dunk made it 16-5. Consecutive Wilkerson 3-pointers, plus a free throw to complete a four-point play, made it 23-5.
By halftime, eight Hoosiers had played, six had scored and IU led 58-22. Alexis and Wilkerson each had 15 points.
IU won the second half 40-29. A closing three-minute scoreless drought with all reserves playing cost the Hoosiers 100 points.
Next up is a Sunday trip to Chicago's United Center and a game against Marquette.
"We understand Sunday will be different than tonight," Darian DeVries said. "We're all eager to get better and just want to win."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON. Ind. -- Rims aren't safe when Sam Alexis is around.
Sometimes, neither is the 3-point line.
The 6-foot-9 senior forward, a transfer from Florida, was part of an Indiana debut to remember as the Darian DeVries coaching era began with Wednesday night's 98-51 victory over Alabama A&M at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The Hoosiers (1-0) attacked relentlessly, swarmed ferociously, and shot consistently. They were 10-for-24 on 3-pointers and 16-for-16 from the line. Their 23 assists against 11 turnovers reflected crisp passing and ball movement.
Alabama A&M (1-1) had no chance.
"Coach DeVries is big on just moving the ball, being unselfish," guard Lamar Wilkerson said. "I think it was one practice like two weeks ago we had 31 assists to two turnovers.
"The ball is always moving. We feel like we're better playing when the ball is moving, moving off ball again, getting us open shots."
Added Darian DeVries: "This is what we've been talking about, what they've been doing in practice. I'm excited to see it carry to the game.
"This group has good IQ and feel. The play well off each other. They haven't played together a lot. They were out there just playing. That allows them to play fast and trust their instincts."
Few trusted it more than Alexis, a highlight show with 17 points, eight rebounds, and 6-for-7 shooting, including three dunks and a 3-pointer.
"Sam is awesome," forward Reed Bailey said. "He can change the game with the way he can play under the rim, play strong and attack the basket as well as space the floor. You saw him knock down that three. We have full faith in him to be able to do that.
"He's one of the live ones in the locker room. He keeps the good vibes up and keeps the energy high. I'm excited to see what he does this year."
Alexis wasn't the only highlight as five Hoosiers scored in double figures. Bailey led with 21 points. Wilkerson added 19. Guard Tayton Conerway had 14 points.
Forward Tucker DeVries joined the 2,000-career point club (2,004) with a do-it-all performance of 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
"I'm happy for him," Darian DeVries said. "It's a credit for all the hard work he's put in."
The coach paused, thinking of his own playing career.
"He doubled me up in points," he said with a smile.
"When you get the individual accomplishments, it's a credit to having good teammates and the work you put in. He's worked hard for all of that. It's great to see it showcased on the floor."
This was why Darian DeVries came to Indiana, a chance to do something special at a tradition-rich program.
"Tonight was special," DeVries said. "I was worried the guys would be too excited. They were so ready and pumped.
"I was excited-nervous. I didn't get much sleep last night. You worry about are we ready for this, are we ready for that? I was just anxious to just play. We had great preparation.
"This is a special place. There's not much like it in college ball. It's a privilege to be out there. It was a fun night, a special night. I hope it's the first of (many)."
IU dominated with a ruthless early combination of 4-for-6 3-point shooting and stifling defense during a 14-0 run that produced an 18-point lead in the first eight minutes and control the Hoosiers never lost.
At one point IU was shooting 73 percent from the field, was 9-for-9 on free throws, and had limited Alabama A&M to less than 20 percent shooting.
It wasn't flawless, especially in the second half. A couple of Alabama A&M 3-pointers sandwiched around a Hoosier turnover caused Coach DeVries to call a timeout to restore Hoosier focus and intensity.
The result -- multiple passes to set up an Alexis layup, and then a Tucker DeVries 3-pointer and then a Bailey dunk.
"We had them uncomfortable and got them pushed out," Coach DeVries said. "In the second half, we were not quite in tune.
"It was mentioned a couple of times in the second half. It's challenging. You get a big lead and human nature kicks in. It will be great to have something to talk about tomorrow."
IU's first points of the season came on a Wilkerson 3-pointer one minute into the game. The Hoosiers followed by forcing an Alabama A&M shot-clock violation and then made a steal to push ahead 9-3.
A Tucker DeVries 3-pointer and an Alexis dunk made it 16-5. Consecutive Wilkerson 3-pointers, plus a free throw to complete a four-point play, made it 23-5.
By halftime, eight Hoosiers had played, six had scored and IU led 58-22. Alexis and Wilkerson each had 15 points.
IU won the second half 40-29. A closing three-minute scoreless drought with all reserves playing cost the Hoosiers 100 points.
Next up is a Sunday trip to Chicago's United Center and a game against Marquette.
"We understand Sunday will be different than tonight," Darian DeVries said. "We're all eager to get better and just want to win."
Team Stats
AAMU
IND
FG%
.340
.621
3FG%
.333
.417
FT%
.526
1.000
RB
19
42
TO
11
11
STL
6
7
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
1
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's BasketballForward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballForward
/ Men's BasketballGuard
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