On June 2, 2025, Darian DeVries, head coach of the Indiana University Bloomington men’s basketball team, unveiled the initial 2025-26 roster as summer workouts kicked off in Bloomington. The move sent ripples through college basketball circles — not because of a single star, but because of the sheer depth and versatility added in one recruiting cycle. With 10 transfers, one freshman, and just two returning walk-ons, DeVries didn’t just rebuild — he reimagined. The haul, ranked 10th nationally by 247Sports, reflects a clear philosophy: shoot better, play bigger, and never run out of bodies.
Building a Shooting-First Identity
"We like the way the roster came together," DeVries said in a campus announcement at 9:55 a.m. UTC. "We added a lot of quality shooters, which is a priority for us. We were also able to bring in good positional size and great depth. They can complement each other on the floor." The roster isn’t built around one dominant center or a high-volume scorer. It’s built around spacing. Look at the guards: Myles Rice (6-3, 185 lbs), Gabe Cupps (6-2, 180 lbs), and Trey Galloway (6-5, 205 lbs) all have track records of pulling up from deep. Newcomers like Drew Snively (6-5, 190 lbs), a freshman from Zionsville, Indiana, and Tucker DeVries (6-5, 200 lbs), Darian’s son and a transfer from Drake, add even more perimeter threat. The emphasis isn’t just on volume — it’s on efficiency. Last season, IU ranked 12th in the Big Ten in three-point percentage. This group could push them into the top five.Size and Depth in the Frontcourt
Then there’s the paint. Oumar Ballo (7-0, 265 lbs), the Mali-born senior center, is returning after a breakout season that saw him average 11.4 points and 8.9 rebounds. He’s not alone. Malik Reneau (6-9, 232 lbs), a junior from Miami, brings athleticism and a developing mid-range game. And don’t sleep on Langdon Hatton (6-10, 247 lbs), a senior from Georgetown, Indiana, who’s been waiting in the wings. The frontcourt isn’t just tall — it’s experienced. Five of the seven big men have at least two years of Division I experience.But the real story? The transfers. Drew Adams from Iowa brings defensive grit. Kenny Johnson from Maryland is a 6-6 wing who averaged 10.3 points last season. And Rod Clark, who transferred from Lindsey Wilson, adds a physical presence that IU’s frontcourt has lacked since the departure of Trayce Jackson-Davis.
What This Means for the Big Ten
The Big Ten is getting deeper, not just wider. Purdue and Michigan State still have the star power. But IU? They’re becoming a nightmare matchup. No more predictable pick-and-rolls. No more predictable spacing. With six players who can shoot from beyond the arc and four who can protect the rim, DeVries has created a hybrid system — part modern pace-and-space, part old-school physicality.And it’s working. IU finished 19-14 last season, missing the NCAA Tournament. But they won 11 of their final 15 games. That momentum? It’s not fading. It’s accelerating.
The Ripple Across Indiana’s Campuses
While Bloomington gets the spotlight, Indiana’s other campuses are quietly building their own futures. At IU Indy, sophomore guard Micah Davis (6-2, 175 lbs) from Eastern Kentucky is expected to lead a team that went 18-13 last year. At Indiana University Northwest, junior guard Jamarr Jones (6-3, 190 lbs) from Arsenal Tech returns after averaging 14.1 points. Even University of Southern Indiana — a Division II powerhouse — added Cardell Bailey (6-6, 195 lbs), a transfer from Maryland Eastern Shore who scored 17.5 points per game last season.It’s not just one program. It’s a statewide resurgence. And it’s happening in real time.
What’s Next?
The Hoosiers open preseason practice in mid-October. Their first exhibition game is scheduled for October 25 against Saint Joseph’s College (Ind.). The season opener? November 4 at home against Ball State. But the real test comes in December — back-to-back road games at Michigan State and Purdue. That’s when we’ll see if this roster can handle the pressure of Big Ten play.DeVries won’t say it outright, but everyone around the program knows: this isn’t just about making the NCAA Tournament. It’s about staying there. And with this roster, Indiana might finally have the pieces to do just that.
Background: The DeVries Effect
Darian DeVries took over in April 2024 after Archie Miller’s firing. His first season was a bridge year — 19 wins, a solid foundation. But his recruiting class last year — led by Bryson Tucker and Kanaan Carlyle — showed he could attract talent. This year? He’s proven he can move the needle nationally. The 10 transfers aren’t just bodies — they’re upgrades. And the fact that he’s kept two walk-ons — Luke Goode and Ian Stephens — signals a culture of loyalty that’s rare in the transfer portal era.Compare this to 2023, when IU lost five key players to the portal and barely survived. Now? They’re adding depth, not replacing losses. That’s the difference between a coach who’s reacting — and one who’s leading.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 2025-26 roster improve on last year’s team?
Last year’s team struggled with shooting consistency and frontcourt depth. This year, IU added five players who averaged over 35% from three-point range in their previous programs, including transfers from Iowa, Maryland, and Drake. The frontcourt now has seven players with Division I experience, up from four. That’s not just an upgrade — it’s a complete transformation in versatility and resilience.
Who are the key newcomers to watch?
Drew Snively, a 6-5 freshman from Zionsville, Indiana, is already drawing comparisons to former Hoosier Trayce Jackson-Davis for his shooting range and defensive IQ. Tucker DeVries, the coach’s son and transfer from Drake, averaged 11.8 points and 4.1 rebounds last season — and brings leadership. And Rod Clark, a 6-7 forward from Lindsey Wilson, adds physicality in the post that IU hasn’t had since 2022.
Why is this roster ranked 10th nationally by 247Sports?
247Sports evaluates transfers by previous performance, positional fit, and potential impact. IU’s 10 transfers include three players who started at Power Five schools and four who were top-100 recruits in their respective classes. The roster also adds elite size — seven players 6-7 or taller — and shooting depth that few Big Ten teams can match. That combination drives the high ranking.
What’s the significance of keeping walk-ons like Luke Goode and Ian Stephens?
Keeping walk-ons signals a culture of trust and loyalty. Goode, a senior from Fort Wayne, has played in 47 games over three seasons without a scholarship. Stephens, a sophomore from New Palestine, played 18 minutes per game last year as a backup guard. Their retention shows DeVries values character and effort as much as talent — a rare trait in the transfer portal era.
How do the other IU campuses compare in talent?
While Bloomington is rebuilding for the NCAA Tournament, IU Indy and IU Northwest are building contenders in Division II and NAIA. IU Indy’s Micah Davis and IU Northwest’s Jamarr Jones both averaged over 14 points last season. Southern Indiana, a D-II powerhouse, added a 17.5-point scorer in Cardell Bailey. These programs are quietly becoming talent pipelines for Bloomington — and proving basketball is thriving across the state.
When will we know if this roster can compete for a Big Ten title?
The true test comes in December, when IU faces Michigan State on Dec. 14 and Purdue on Dec. 21 — both on the road. Those games will reveal whether the new shooters can handle pressure, whether the frontcourt can handle physical play, and whether this team can win close games. If they split those two, a Top 25 ranking and NCAA Tournament bid become realistic.
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