Indiana vs Baylor: Top 5 Takeaways from a Hoosier Win

Here are the Top 5 takeaways from the Indiana Hoosiers’ hard-fought 76-74 exhibition win over the Baylor Bears yesterday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse:

1. Resilience & comeback character

Indiana trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half before a 19-6 second-half burst turned the game.

• Coach Darian DeVries flagged the deficit early and challenged the team not to let it balloon further.

• That fight-back shows the kind of mental toughness the Hoosiers will need this season—especially with a re-tooled roster.

• It’s promising: the ability to claw back from double digits suggests the team may buy into the “don’t panic” mindset.

Implication: Indiana may not need to dominate every game to win, but if they continue showing resilience they’ll be dangerous in tight contests.

2. Free-throw dominance saved the day

Indiana was 20-for-21 from the free-throw line in this game — a standout statistic in a contest decided by only two points.

• That level of conversion from the stripe signals maturity and poise under pressure. Baylor coach Scott Drew even quipped Indiana’s free-throw coach “deserves a raise.”

• When the field-goal shooting and rebounding weren’t dominating, Indiana leaned on fundamentals at the line to win.

Implication: If Indiana remains that sharp from the free-throw line in Big Ten play, they’ll win close ones — a critical trait given how many games in that league come down to final minutes.

3. Rebounding remains a concern

Despite the win, the Hoosiers were out-rebounded badly, particularly in the first half (e.g., 19 – 11 at the break) and 44 total allowed.

• Indiana allowed 16 offensive rebounds to Baylor, which contributed significantly to second-chance points for the Bears.

• Coach DeVries admitted post-game: “The area we have to improve the most is defensive rebounding. We are undersized.”

Implication: If Indiana hopes to contend in the Big Ten, they’ll need to shore up rebounding — otherwise, better teams will punish them for extra chances.

4. Star power emerging

Several Hoosiers had breakout moments:

• Lamar Wilkerson poured in 26 points, including an 11-for-11 mark from the free-throw line.

• Tucker DeVries added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

• Tayton Conerway chipped in 17 points and 5 assists.

These performances show Indiana’s offensive core has real contributors, which is meaningful in the first game of the DeVries-era.

Implication: The Hoosiers may have more offensive depth than expected; if these players stay consistent, Indiana’s ceiling rises.

5. Shooting inconsistency & evolving identity

While the win was positive, Indiana’s beyond-the-arc shooting and offensive rhythm raised some questions:

• In the first half they launched 24 three-point attempts but converted only 25 %.

• Their offensive identity under DeVries is leaning on perimeter shooting, but tonight the 3-point shot didn’t fire early; the win came through adjustments and fundamentals.

Implication: Indiana has the shooters, but they’ll need to find consistency beyond the arc. If they can, their style becomes harder to defend. If not, they’ll rely heavily on other areas (defense, rebounding, free throws) to win.

🧠 Final Word

This one wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. For a new look Indiana program, edging out a major-conference opponent like Baylor, in a comeback fashion, and executing down the stretch is a meaningful data point. They showed resilience, free-throw excellence, and offensive promise — but also reminded us that rebounding and shooting consistency will need work.

For Hoosiers fans, take this as encouraging. For skeptics, the caveats are real. If Indiana can shore up the weaknesses and ride the strengths shown here, they’ll enter Big Ten play with momentum and belief.