Indiana University Athletics
Tuesday, December 9
Bloomington, Ind.
8:30 PM
Indiana University
vs
Penn State
Attack Mode – Hoosiers Seek to Return to Winning Ways against Penn State
12/9/2025 2:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Get to the rim.
It sounds simple, but complexities can arise when you get there and talented, powerful, athletic big guys loom large, protecting the rim as if their next five meals depend on it.
Or, if you can't get there at all.
Such complexities helped stop Indiana's 7-0 start, in big part because Minnesota and Louisville got up and personal to Hoosier perimeter shooters during losses in Minneapolis and at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and IU couldn't make them pay.
The next chance to attack the basket, dominate the paint, and restore Cream 'n Crimson momentum comes Tuesday night when the Hoosiers (7-2) host Penn State (8-1) at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
"If teams are going to get up and challenge you," head coach Darian DeVries says, "you have to be able to get to the rim. There are different ways to do that, but if they're pressed out, taking away 3s, you have to be able to drive and get to the rim and finish. Drive and get to the rim and get fouled, or back cuts. Those are other ways that you can put pressure."
Hoosier pressure can come from guards Tayton Conerway and Conor Enright attacking the paint, or from standout perimeter players such as Tucker DeVries and Lamar Wilkerson driving past those defending them on the perimeter.
As Darian DeVries puts it, "Open the floor up a little more, get a little more dribble penetration, get to the rim a little bit and go to the free throw line more, just by playing in space. Those are some different ways that you try to beat it."
It helps to have a difference-making perimeter game. IU has reached double figures in made 3-point baskets six times this season, including 11 against Louisville. Tucker DeVries, Wilkerson, and Nick Dorn have each made five 3-pointers in a game this season.
It also helps to have a defense that ranks No. 25 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency by KenPom. Opponents hold an effective field goal percentage of 43.9, which ranks 16th nationally, 41.3% inside the arc, which is sixth nationally.
Finally, the Hoosiers can find positives in the way they battled back from second-half deficits as large as 19 points Saturday against Louisville. They rallied to within seven points before losing 87-78.
"Our ability to continue to fight was good," Darian DeVries says. "Our guys' composure, even after the rough start, they continued to battle and chip away, chip away."
As for Tuesday night's game, it will be Penn State's Big Ten opener. It is 1-0 on the road and 6-0 at home. The Nittany Lions have won three straight since a 77-65 loss to Providence.
Penn State is one of the nation's youngest teams. Seven freshmen have played, with three averaging more than 25 minutes a game.
Five Nittany Lions average in double figures in scoring. Freshman guard Kayden Mingo leads with a 15.0 scoring average. He also averages 4.0 rebounds, 4.2 assist,s and 2.1 steals.
Other double-figure scorers are junior guard Freddie Dilione V (13.2 points), freshman guard Melih Tunca (12.8), freshman forward Ivan Juric (10.6), and senior forward Josh Reed (10.6).
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Get to the rim.
It sounds simple, but complexities can arise when you get there and talented, powerful, athletic big guys loom large, protecting the rim as if their next five meals depend on it.
Or, if you can't get there at all.
Such complexities helped stop Indiana's 7-0 start, in big part because Minnesota and Louisville got up and personal to Hoosier perimeter shooters during losses in Minneapolis and at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and IU couldn't make them pay.
The next chance to attack the basket, dominate the paint, and restore Cream 'n Crimson momentum comes Tuesday night when the Hoosiers (7-2) host Penn State (8-1) at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
"If teams are going to get up and challenge you," head coach Darian DeVries says, "you have to be able to get to the rim. There are different ways to do that, but if they're pressed out, taking away 3s, you have to be able to drive and get to the rim and finish. Drive and get to the rim and get fouled, or back cuts. Those are other ways that you can put pressure."
Hoosier pressure can come from guards Tayton Conerway and Conor Enright attacking the paint, or from standout perimeter players such as Tucker DeVries and Lamar Wilkerson driving past those defending them on the perimeter.
As Darian DeVries puts it, "Open the floor up a little more, get a little more dribble penetration, get to the rim a little bit and go to the free throw line more, just by playing in space. Those are some different ways that you try to beat it."
It helps to have a difference-making perimeter game. IU has reached double figures in made 3-point baskets six times this season, including 11 against Louisville. Tucker DeVries, Wilkerson, and Nick Dorn have each made five 3-pointers in a game this season.
It also helps to have a defense that ranks No. 25 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency by KenPom. Opponents hold an effective field goal percentage of 43.9, which ranks 16th nationally, 41.3% inside the arc, which is sixth nationally.
Finally, the Hoosiers can find positives in the way they battled back from second-half deficits as large as 19 points Saturday against Louisville. They rallied to within seven points before losing 87-78.
"Our ability to continue to fight was good," Darian DeVries says. "Our guys' composure, even after the rough start, they continued to battle and chip away, chip away."
As for Tuesday night's game, it will be Penn State's Big Ten opener. It is 1-0 on the road and 6-0 at home. The Nittany Lions have won three straight since a 77-65 loss to Providence.
Penn State is one of the nation's youngest teams. Seven freshmen have played, with three averaging more than 25 minutes a game.
Five Nittany Lions average in double figures in scoring. Freshman guard Kayden Mingo leads with a 15.0 scoring average. He also averages 4.0 rebounds, 4.2 assist,s and 2.1 steals.
Other double-figure scorers are junior guard Freddie Dilione V (13.2 points), freshman guard Melih Tunca (12.8), freshman forward Ivan Juric (10.6), and senior forward Josh Reed (10.6).
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
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