August 3, 2026
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The 7,200-mile trip is complete, four international basketball games played, four games won, five for five counting the earlier exhibition victory over Team Canada.
Indiana played with purpose and poise in earning a gold medal in the FISU America Games in Lima, Peru. A dominating tone was set and never wavered, and if success didn’t come against Big Ten-caliber competition — blowout victories against Peru, Chile and Virgin Islands (twice) — for now, for Indiana coach Darian DeVries, it is more than enough.
“I loved how hard our guys played all week,” DeVries says. “I thought we got a lot out of out of that. I thought our transition game was really good. I liked how we got out of the blocks, so to speak, and then I loved our offensive rebounding. We had a very clear mindset. There was great carryover from practices and what we’ve emphasized, and taking that to the game floor.
“Those are some great things that that we saw. We thought defensively, as the week went on, we did some good things. We got a little anxious at times trying to get some steals and things like that, but overall, I liked our activity.
“We’re continuing to learn how to cover for one another, how to be more connected as a defense. But their unselfishness, how hard they played, their approach, their attitude, their togetherness was terrific.”
During the tournament, veterans such as power forward Aiden Sherrell (named tourney MVP), and guards Darren Harris, Bryce Lindsay, Jaeden Mustaf, and Markus Burton played to their experience even with limited minutes because of the lobsided games (no opponent finished within 42 points), while promising freshmen Vaughn Karvala (team-leading 65 tournament points), Prince-Alexander Moody (49 points, 18 assists, seven steals), and Trevor Manhertz (32 points, 19 rebounds, 64-percent shooting) thrived under game conditions.
“I love what the freshmen did,” DeVries says. “It was an awesome experience for them, for us, to get them a lot of time out there together, get some game minutes in, and be able to see some of the things they can do.”
Throughout the month, the backcourt displayed skill, depth, aggressiveness and relentlessness. That was important in Peru, it will be crucial this coming season.
“We have great versatility; we’ve got good depth,” DeVries says. “Prince was coming along as that third option at the point guard spot, and even Mustaf can play point guard if needed. He gives you that bigger guard.
“I love what Bryce and Markus bring. They’re both a little different in how they approach it. Prince is more of a passer. Marcus is a downhill attacker. Getting them both on and off the ball is a great luxury to have.”
The team’s overall depth should generate intriguing lineup rotations.
“What I love is I think it’s going to make for a very competitive fall, which will be great for us to continue to grow as a team,” DeVries says. “In some ways, it’s a coach’s dream of having some very hard (lineup) decisions as you get into the season.
“We do have great depth, and it’s really across the board, and we love that. We love what everybody brings.
“It will be finding those rotations as you get deeper into the season and ultimately into conference play. A lot of that stuff works itself out, but we feel very good about all of our guys and their ability to come in and contribute. I love that about this group,”
Defense could be a huge strength given the Hoosiers’ versatility, length and athleticism.
“All those pieces really fit well together,” DeVries says. “They allow us the opportunity to maybe switch more off balls so you’re not chasing quite as much, you’re not as concerned about foul trouble and playing heavy minutes for multiple guys.
“We have that that flexibility to keep guys fresh and have different types of lineups that – on the offensive and defensive ends – of giving teams different looks and being able to do different things.”
The aftermath of basically two months of practice and playing now finds the Hoosiers — players and coaches — in break mode until the Aug. 24 start of the fall semester.
“The guys will basically have time off until school starts,” DeVries says. “It will be a nice little break for them to refresh and restart to get ready to come back fully fresh and healthy for fall workouts.”
The fact the Peru trip wrapped up in late July was a big attraction, he adds.
“Typically, when you take this kind of tour, a lot of times you go into mid-August, and then you just get a week, start school, and you’re back at it.
“We felt this trip gave us all the advantages of a of a tour, but also a break too. So, our guys get to go home here for three weeks, refresh and be ready to go because you do have to be careful of doing too much for too long and trying to sustain it all the way into March.”
