While there is no questioning the impressive amount of talent reflected above on paper, none of these guys (aside from DeVries x Enright AND Miles x Harris) have played together previously. This squad is legitimately completely different than last season’s, with every single member of the former version exhausting their NCAA eligibility (Goode x Leal pending…) and/or transferring elsewhere (aside from returning walk-ons Jordan Rayford x Ian Stephens).
Early social media snippets of the team’s summer workouts yield positive vibes as it pertains to what is to come. However, there is no proven scientific method for fully forecasting how these type of experiments will transpire.
Needless to say, the Hoosiers new shot-caller already has a pile of pressure on him to produce wins for a fanbase that demands nothing less. Factor in the previous notes regarding this fully refreshed set of personnel, and it is clear that Darian DeVries will have his work cut out when it comes to putting all of the puzzle pieces together properly. It is the responsibility of the guys on the court to execute the gameplan, but it does not matter if they check that box on a nightly basis if the guys on the sidelines are drawing up gameplans which do not translate to W’s.
With those things being stated, commander DeVries is going to need one of his soldiers to distinguish themselves as the alpha of this year’s perennial wolf pack. A team can only go as far as their head coach guides them off the court AND their leader navigates them on the court.
The most obvious candidate for that position is the coach’s son: Money Tuck. The legacy bid has been downright dominant on both ends thus far in his collegiate career and should have an extra layer of motivation to make big things happen after missing all but 8 games last season due to a shoulder setback.
There is also no denying the serious case for the reigning Sun Belt Player of the year: Tayton Conerway. The top shelf floor general is among the nation’s most complete point guards in terms the impact he has on both sides of the court. Conerway’s pestilent defense is particularly proficient, with his 2.9 SPG slotting in as the country’s 3rd highest nightly swipe rate last SZN. After competing in this summer’s NBA draft combine festivities, the Troy transfer is knocking on the door of his ultimate aspirations. Another year of powerful point of attack D x crafty table-setting could catapult him all the way into the 1st-Round discussion.
