On Tuesday afternoon, IU basketball once again invited the media to observe their practice at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The session took place on Branch McCracken Court, featuring nine scholarship players, while Nick Dorn sat out due to recovery from foot surgery and did not participate in contact drills. Injuries also sidelined Aleksa Ristic, Josh Harris, and Jason Drake, with Jasai Miles absent due to illness.
Practice Overview
The Hoosiers began with walk-throughs of various offensive strategies, guided by Darian DeVries and assistants Drew Adams, Kenny Johnson, and Rod Clark. Although the tempo was not game-like, the drills were clearly structured with a time-keeping system.
Following the walk-throughs, the team engaged in a warm-up led by strength and conditioning coach Ryan Horn, with only Drake making a partial appearance due to his injury. The practice intensified as players focused on defensive techniques, participating in drills aimed at intercepting passes and improving transition defense.
Player Highlights
DeVries: He displays an efficient shooting form and consistently makes the right decisions, emerging as a likely key contributor and leader for IU.
Bailey: As a Davidson transfer, he has guard-like ball-handling skills and can create mismatches, despite not being the most physical player.
Wilkerson: Arguably the most skilled scorer on the team, he excels at shooting from long range, mid-range, and driving to the basket, relentlessly challenging defenses.
Conerway: He effectively delivers sharp passes and plays a critical role in orchestrating the IU defense. His strong performance during scrimmages stood out.
Acimovic: This freshman shows potential with soft finishes and solid passes but will need to build strength to compete effectively at the collegiate level.
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
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