The Indiana Hoosiers secured a significant victory on Tuesday night under the leadership of new head coach Darian DeVries, defeating the No. 12-ranked Purdue Boilermakers 72-67 at home. This win marks DeVries’ first signature victory since taking over the program, demonstrating his understanding of the importance of this fierce rivalry.
“We talked about it before the game: ‘Rivalries are what make college sports great,’” DeVries emphasized during his postgame press conference. “This is what it is. This is why everybody loves college sports. These types of rivalries are fun. They should be. You got fan bases who both care about their teams. They’re both close to each other. That’s what it’s supposed to be about.”
The Hoosiers showed a strong performance, nailing 12 three-pointers, with standout players including Lamar Wilkerson, who led the team with 19 points and seven rebounds. Nick Dorn followed closely with 18 points, while Tucker DeVries, the coach’s son, contributed nine points and a game-high ten rebounds. On the season, Wilkerson is averaging an impressive 19.4 points per game, reflecting his critical role in the team’s performance.
The victory not only showcased Indiana’s competitive spirit but also continued their tradition of defeating their in-state rival at home for the second consecutive year. Purdue has historically held the edge in the all-time series, boasting a 128-94 record against Indiana since they first faced off in 1901.
This win brings Indiana’s overall record to 14-7 and 5-5 within the Big Ten, while Purdue falls to 17-4 and 7-3 in conference play. As the rivalry continues, the two teams are set to meet again on February 20 in West Lafayette, promising another exciting chapter in their storied competition.
Darian DeVries, who took the reins after the 2024-25 season, has a notable coaching background, including a successful tenure at Drake, where he led the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament appearances and earned Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors twice. With this win against Purdue, DeVries is poised to build a legacy at Indiana while maintaining the high stakes and pride that come with such a historic rivalry.