Indiana University Athletics
Saturday, December 20
Bloomington, Ind.
1:00 PM
Indiana University
vs
Chicago State
Hoosiers Return to Action Against Chicago State
12/20/2025 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Ups and downs are part of sports, part of basketball, part of Indiana's current season under head coach Darian DeVries.
One thing to consider about the Hoosiers' 8-3 record with Saturday's game against Chicago State (2-10) up next at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall: it comes without full player health.
Junior guard Jason Drake and sophomore forward Josh Harris have yet to play this season because of lower body injuries. Drake sustained his ailment in late July while Harris went down in late September.
"They're both progressing," DeVries told Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer during Monday night's radio show. "When the trainers tell us they're ready, they'll be ready, but they're both getting closer and closer. So, that's great to see."
Drake participated in warmups before last Saturday's 72-60 loss at Kentucky. Harris did not.
Drake, a 6-foot-1 transfer from Drexel, averaged 11.1 points, 3.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds last season while shooting 39.6 percent from 3-point range.
The 6-foot-8 Harris, a transfer from North Florida, averaged 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds last season. He was the only NCAA Division I freshman to total at least 400 points and 200 rebounds while shooting better than 55.0%.
The addition of Harris could help a front court led by 6-foot-10 Reed Bailey and 6-foot-8 Sam Alexis. Bailey has started nine games and averages 10.1 points and 4.0 rebounds. Alexis, who started the last two games, averages 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds with a team-leading 12 blocks.
DeVries said starting Alexis was a way to "shake it up a little bit" after the Louisville loss.
"We wanted to see what it looks like," he said. "Nothing is permanent."
As far as playing them together, DeVries said that "was done in the summer and the fall."
"The big challenge for us is depth. We don't have a third big to put in there. It's hard to give them many minutes together. It's something we'd love to explore. We have a lack of bodies to keep them fresh and productive."
Senior guard Lamar Wilkerson's performances against Penn State and Kentucky (averages of 29.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in 23.0 minutes) earned him USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week recognition. He also was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week.
That included a Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall-record 44 points against Penn State, plus an IU program single-game record of 10 3-pointers in that game.
Wilkerson leads the Hoosiers with an 18.5-point scoring average. He shoots 43.0% from 3-point range. Forward Tucker DeVries averages 17.0 points and 4.9 rebounds. He and Wilkerson combine for 73 of IU's 114 3-point baskets.
Guard Tayton Conerway averages 12.2 points with a team-leading 48 assists.
DeVries told Fischer that he remains excited about the Hoosiers' potential despite losses in three of the last four games. They didn't have any games this week because of finals.
"It's our job to get them there," he told Fischer.
The Hoosiers play Saturday and then at home against Sienna (9-3) on Monday night before resuming Big Ten play on Jan. 4 at home against Washington (7-3).
DeVries told Fischer IU will use that time to focus on practice and improvement. That includes individual skill work with coaches earlier in the day before afternoon team practices. Players also will have time off for Christmas break.
Chicago State is led by junior guard Doyel Cockrill, who averages 15.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 44.7% from 3-point range.
Two other Cougars average in double figures -- senior guard Marcus Tankersley (14.7 points, 1.0 steal) and senior forward CJ Ray (10.8 points).
Chicago State gives up 84.1 points a game while scoring 66.9. It has wins over Loyola of Chicago and St. Xavier. Losses include St. Louis, Butler, Minnesota, and Iowa, all on the road.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Ups and downs are part of sports, part of basketball, part of Indiana's current season under head coach Darian DeVries.
One thing to consider about the Hoosiers' 8-3 record with Saturday's game against Chicago State (2-10) up next at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall: it comes without full player health.
Junior guard Jason Drake and sophomore forward Josh Harris have yet to play this season because of lower body injuries. Drake sustained his ailment in late July while Harris went down in late September.
"They're both progressing," DeVries told Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer during Monday night's radio show. "When the trainers tell us they're ready, they'll be ready, but they're both getting closer and closer. So, that's great to see."
Drake participated in warmups before last Saturday's 72-60 loss at Kentucky. Harris did not.
Drake, a 6-foot-1 transfer from Drexel, averaged 11.1 points, 3.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds last season while shooting 39.6 percent from 3-point range.
The 6-foot-8 Harris, a transfer from North Florida, averaged 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds last season. He was the only NCAA Division I freshman to total at least 400 points and 200 rebounds while shooting better than 55.0%.
The addition of Harris could help a front court led by 6-foot-10 Reed Bailey and 6-foot-8 Sam Alexis. Bailey has started nine games and averages 10.1 points and 4.0 rebounds. Alexis, who started the last two games, averages 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds with a team-leading 12 blocks.
DeVries said starting Alexis was a way to "shake it up a little bit" after the Louisville loss.
"We wanted to see what it looks like," he said. "Nothing is permanent."
As far as playing them together, DeVries said that "was done in the summer and the fall."
"The big challenge for us is depth. We don't have a third big to put in there. It's hard to give them many minutes together. It's something we'd love to explore. We have a lack of bodies to keep them fresh and productive."
Senior guard Lamar Wilkerson's performances against Penn State and Kentucky (averages of 29.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in 23.0 minutes) earned him USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week recognition. He also was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week.
That included a Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall-record 44 points against Penn State, plus an IU program single-game record of 10 3-pointers in that game.
Wilkerson leads the Hoosiers with an 18.5-point scoring average. He shoots 43.0% from 3-point range. Forward Tucker DeVries averages 17.0 points and 4.9 rebounds. He and Wilkerson combine for 73 of IU's 114 3-point baskets.
Guard Tayton Conerway averages 12.2 points with a team-leading 48 assists.
DeVries told Fischer that he remains excited about the Hoosiers' potential despite losses in three of the last four games. They didn't have any games this week because of finals.
"It's our job to get them there," he told Fischer.
The Hoosiers play Saturday and then at home against Sienna (9-3) on Monday night before resuming Big Ten play on Jan. 4 at home against Washington (7-3).
DeVries told Fischer IU will use that time to focus on practice and improvement. That includes individual skill work with coaches earlier in the day before afternoon team practices. Players also will have time off for Christmas break.
Chicago State is led by junior guard Doyel Cockrill, who averages 15.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 44.7% from 3-point range.
Two other Cougars average in double figures -- senior guard Marcus Tankersley (14.7 points, 1.0 steal) and senior forward CJ Ray (10.8 points).
Chicago State gives up 84.1 points a game while scoring 66.9. It has wins over Loyola of Chicago and St. Xavier. Losses include St. Louis, Butler, Minnesota, and Iowa, all on the road.
Players Mentioned
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