Clearly, Darian DeVries has emphasized that the rivalry with Purdue is important to Hoosiers fans. This is what he said.
- Indiana basketball coach Darian DeVries spoke about the four injured players and their status.
- The Hoosiers have been without Nick Dorn, Jason Drake, Josh Harris and Aleksa Ristic healthy.
- The season begins Nov. 5 against Alabama A&M at Assembly Hall.
ROSEMONT, Illinois – Indiana basketball coach Darian DeVries admitted for the first time at Big Ten media day on Thursday that he will not have a completely healthy roster for the team’s season opener against Alabama A&M.
“We expect him to participate in more full practices next week,” DeVries said. “It’s still going to take him a little bit of time, he’s been out for a long time, to get him back into shape, to get him into drills and everything at full speed.”
He dealt with a Jones fracture (a broken bone on the outside of the foot) last season at Elon that required an additional procedure after arriving in Bloomington.
The rest of the group is further back.
“I think most guys will get close again, not right at the beginning, maybe in December,” DeVries said.
Injuries have limited DeVries’ ability to practice 5-on-5, as highlighted in Cream and Crimson’s recent brawl at Assembly Hall last week. DeVries had to cut open practice short when North Florida transfer guard Jasai Miles suffered cramps.
Miles’ departure left IU with only one substitute available.
“We’ve been a little more careful with the ups and downs that we do each day,” DeVries said. “A little bit more drill work, you’re into more 3-on-3 type stuff, we don’t usually spend too much time. We’re not there for three hours, we’re usually around that 90-minute mark. We haven’t had to adjust how long we’re there, just maybe how many life things we’re doing like 5-on-5 segments.”
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