IU Basketball Faces Marian University in Friday Exhibition Game

Bloomington, IN — Indiana University basketball opens its exhibition play Friday night against Marian University at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed on BTN+ with students Nick Rodecap, Graham Nash and Ava Wegenke providing commentary.

This matchup marks the fourth consecutive season the Hoosiers and Knights have faced off in Bloomington during preseason play. Darian DeVries, in his first year as head coach for the Hoosiers, is eager to showcase a revamped roster after significant changes, including the hiring of a new coaching staff and 13 new scholarship players.

Indiana played three exhibition games in Puerto Rico in early August, but Friday’s game will be the first chance for Hoosier fans to see a full game since the Big Ten tournament in March. DeVries emphasized the need for ball movement and 3-point shooting as the team shifts its offensive focus.

“These preseason games will be about us functioning in our motion,” DeVries said. “Even though we want to win, the regular season is more of a priority.”

However, Indiana faces challenges with four scholarship players sidelined: Aleksa Ristic, Nick Dorn, Jason Drake, and Josh Harris. DeVries noted that the team would experiment with different lineups, adjusting to the absence of depth at guard.

The Hoosiers will look to utilize walk-ons and younger players like Andrej Acimovic as they adapt their strategy. The exhibition setting allows for some exploration of player combinations without revealing too much of their game plan.

“It’s going to force us to look at things we’ve been practicing,” DeVries explained, noting that these adjustments could open new opportunities for lineup configurations as the season progresses.

Defensively, the Hoosiers aim to present a different performance from their recent exhibition trip. DeVries reported improvements in their defensive cohesion, stating, “We’ve gotten more connected from our trip to Puerto Rico.”

Marian, an NAIA program coached by Pat Knight, son of Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight, finished last season with a record of 11-17. Key players for the Knights include Aidan Franks and Dylan Moles, both of whom received recognition in the Crossroads League.

Fans can expect an engaging matchup as the Hoosiers prepare to display the new style of play and assess their growth on both ends of the court.