For the second straight offseason under head coach Darian DeVries, Indiana underwent a major transformation.
PORTAL RELOAD PART TWO
11 newcomers joined the Hoosiers this offseason as DeVries once again attacked the transfer portal, leaving Indiana with a roster almost entirely different from the one that finished 18-14 last season. Two returners, Trent Sisley and Sam Alexis, look to set the Indiana standard in the locker room.
After one season navigating the Big Ten, DeVries understood what pieces he needed in the portal, and this year he was able to gain productive pieces at several positions.
“I just love the fact that he just knows he’s seven-two, and he’s proud of it,” DeVries on talking about Samet Yigitoglu. “He goes and stands on that block two feet from it, and says I’m bigger than you, try to move me.”
Two of the biggest grabs are Notre Dame guard Markus Burton and Alabama forward Aiden Sherrell. Burton, like guards of the past for the Hoosiers, gives experience and elite scoring, averaging 19.1 points per game in his college career, while Sherrell brings the size and versatility to the rebuilt frontcourt that Indiana needs in the Big Ten.
BURTON TAKES CONTROL
Burton’s junior season at Notre Dame ended shortly. After starting the Fighting Irish’s first 10 games and averaging 18.5 points per game, an ankle injury sidelined him for the final 21 contests.
The former Indiana Mr. Basketball is now back on the floor to represent the state's most decorated program.
In the Cream-and-Crimson scrimmage on Oct. 2nd, Burton wasn’t the leading scorer for the Hoosiers, but he didn’t need to be. The Notre Dame transfer finished with eight points on 3-for-9 shooting but recorded six assists without committing a turnover along with four rebounds.
Burton’s eight points didn’t showcase the scoring ability that had defined much of his career. But when Indiana needs a basket, DeVries already knows where Burton is most dangerous.
“Burton scores. That’s the option he brings,” DeVries says. “He has an incredible mid-range. His ability to get to 10,12 feet and really rise up over people because he gets you on your heels a little bit.”
SUPERPOWER- MIDDY MACHINE
In the current game of basketball, players 6-feet and under are becoming scarce. The ones that are around rely heavily on the three-point shooting or playmaking. Burton’s game, however, takes a different approach.
“I’m not the biggest basketball player, so I obviously have to use a strategy of mine to be able to be good and win games for my team,” Burton said. “So, the midrange game for me, like you said, is my superpower. It’s just a shot that I worked on over the years.”
Burton’s scoring ability has never been a doubt for himself or Indiana. But since arriving, DeVries has taken notice of what Burton has provided on the other end of the floor.
MORE THAN A SCORER
In an era of big guards starting to take over, DeVries has the entire team bought defensively to work as one unit. That goes for the top scorer as well, but the self-dedication is what has really stood out to the coaching staff.
“He has really expanded his game beyond just being a scorer. I think we’ve seen that a lot on the defensive end,” DeVries says. “I think he’s taking a lot of pride at trying to be a good defender, on-ball defender with his size and speed, you know he’s going to be one of those guys that can really sit down and guard the basketball for us.”
Burton doesn’t consider himself someone who has ever been a poor defender. Instead, his focus has been on becoming an impact one, especially with being on ball.
“Obviously, this is going to be a year for me as a defensive player to jump,” Burton says. “Not necessarily saying that I wasn’t a good defender but just showing that I can defend at a higher level and defend better players in the Big Ten.”
SHERRELL BRINGS A DIFFERENT DIMENSION
Sherrell and the Crimson Tide had a deep title run last year, making their way to the Elite Eight before falling short to Duke. In his 27-minute average during their run, Sherrell averaged 12 points per game and seven rebounds at a 56 percent clip.
At 7 feet, 250 pounds, Sherrell isn’t the traditional forward that the Indiana team is accustomed to.
His first appearance in front of Indiana fans showed otherwise. Sherrell finished the Cream and Crimson scrimmage with 15 points and seven rebounds, scoring 12 of those points from beyond the arc.
“I feel like I improved a lot. I’ve always been able to shoot threes at a pretty good level, but just Coach DeVries putting so much belief in me, so much confidence in me, it helps a lot for sure,” Sherrell says. “They find me. They hit me whenever I’m open, and they always like motivate me to shoot the ball because they believe I’m going to make a lot of shots.”
STRETCHING THE FLOOR
It’s hard to ignore the obvious observation of the size around the rim with his addition. What makes him more intriguing for DeVries is what he can do away from it.
A big man capable of stretching the floor, especially playing beside a 7-foot-2 Samet Yigitoglu in the paint forces teams to spread out on defense. For Indiana, that could create additional space for guards like Burton to attack the paint, while also giving DeVries the flexibility to play both inside and out.
PROTECTING THE PAINT
The height brings another layer of defense for the Indiana team. Sherrell averaged 2.2 blocks per game and almost 1 steal per game, showing rim protection and quick hands to provide more offensive opportunities.
Coming from a conference that also has a great big presence, along with practicing next to a seven-two center who likes to play low, Sherrell continues to make growth and become better on the defensive end.
“He’s very physical. Even when we’re on different teams, just us competing against each other helps. We definitely have been complementing each other very well.”
Burton and Sherrell represent two of the most important additions to a roster Darian DeVries reconstructed after his first season in the Big Ten. But like the rest of Indiana’s newcomers, their first meaningful opportunities to put the pieces together are still ahead.
For a new roster, the exhibitions won’t prove what Indiana can become by March. They’ll offer DeVries his first chance to see the team in action.
Before the regular season begins, Indiana has a couple non-conference games on the list to take care of first. The first of which is this Sunday, as Indiana takes a trip to Hinkle Fieldhouse to take on the Butler Bulldogs at 6:30.
