Indiana captured its first victory over a ranked opponent in the Darian DeVries era on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, edging Purdue 72-67 after holding off a late Boilermaker rally. The Hoosiers absorbed pressure on the interior and on the perimeter while several role players delivered timely contributions. Nick Dorn stepped up as a primary scoring option, Conor Enright delivered a full-game defensive and playmaking performance, and the Assembly Hall crowd provided sustained momentum down the stretch.
Key takeaways
- Nick Dorn continued a hot stretch, finishing with 18 points in 32 minutes and earning KenPom Game MVP honors; he shot 6-for-11 overall and 4-for-9 on 3s, improving a season total to 41-for-91 from long range (45.1 percent).
- Indiana won the battle inside despite Purdue’s size; points in the paint were 24-18 Purdue and second-chance points were 11-10 Purdue, but IU limited the Boilermakers’ frontcourt impact.
- Conor Enright played all 40 minutes, logged eight assists, defended Braden Smith without committing a foul, and hit a crucial 3 with 1:12 left that helped preserve the lead.
- The Hoosiers shot 12-for-33 on 3s (36.4 percent) for the game, including an 8-for-20 first half that produced 1.33 points per possession at intermission.
- Assembly Hall was loud and sustained for most of the contest; Coach Darian DeVries credited the crowd with helping the team weather Purdue’s late surge and securing a Quad 1 resume boost.
Background
Darian DeVries is in his early seasons at Indiana and has prioritized restoring the program’s competitiveness in the Big Ten. A win over a ranked rival like Purdue offers both résumé value for NCAA consideration and a morale boost in a season where home-court outcomes will matter. Indiana entered the game hoping to protect Assembly Hall and stake a claim for quality wins; before Tuesday, the Hoosiers had shown flashes but lacked a marquee signature victory in the DeVries era.
Conference dynamics amplify the importance of rivalry results: Purdue entered with a clear frontcourt advantage on paper, featuring Trey Kaufman-Renn, Oscar Cluff and Daniel Jacobsen, and the expectation was that interior play would tilt the game toward the Boilermakers. The Hoosiers countered with a blend of perimeter shooting and collective rebounding, while lineup adjustments caused by Tayton Conerway’s ankle issue pushed Nick Dorn into a larger offensive role earlier in the week.
Main event
The game unfolded with Indiana building an early lead behind hot perimeter shooting, carrying an 11-point advantage into halftime after an 8-for-20 first-half mark from deep. Purdue chipped away in the second half, leaning on Trey Kaufman-Renn, who scored a game-high 23 points despite missing five free throws. Cluff and Jacobsen, expected to influence the paint, combined for only five points in 32 minutes, allowing IU to avoid being overwhelmed inside.
Nick Dorn, starting for a second straight game after Conerway’s ankle trouble, paced IU with 18 points while adding three steals, two rebounds and no turnovers in 32 minutes. Dorn’s accuracy from distance — he entered the contest 41-for-91 on the season — forced Purdue to defend the perimeter aggressively and opened lanes for drives and kick-outs. Conor Enright handled heavy minutes on both ends, defending Braden Smith closely and finishing with eight assists and the big 3-pointer at 1:12 left.
Purdue launched a late rally, trimming the deficit and testing Indiana’s composure, but the Hoosiers answered with timely baskets and defensive stands. IU’s bench and complementary pieces such as Tucker DeVries (team-leading 10 rebounds) and Lamar Wilkerson (seven rebounds) helped secure possessions on the glass. Indiana closed the game at the free-throw line and with steady possession management to hold off the final push from the Boilermakers.
Analysis & implications
This victory has both immediate and longer-term significance for Indiana. In the short term, a Quad 1 win bolsters the team’s NCAA profile and adds measurable value to its résumé; wins of this nature are weighted heavily by selection committees. Maintaining perimeter accuracy and limiting turnovers in wins over quality opponents will be crucial if IU hopes to remain in conversation for March consideration.
Dorn’s shooting stretch provides DeVries with a dependable off-ball creator whose gravity opens looks for others. If Dorn sustains even a portion of his current 45.1 percent 3-point rate, Indiana’s spacing will alleviate pressure on guards and reduce reliance on contested drives. Conversely, Purdue’s limited interior production despite clear size advantages suggests IU’s defensive schemes and boxing out were effective enough to neutralize a potential matchup weakness.
Conor Enright’s 40-minute outing illustrates the value of a disciplined, low-foul defensive guard against high-usage opponents; his ability to stay attached to Braden Smith without fouling altered shot quality and contributed directly to turnovers and missed attempts. For Indiana’s rotation, the game reinforces the benefit of lineups that mix perimeter shooting with active rebounders and high-IQ defenders.
Comparison & data
| Stat | Indiana | Purdue |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 72 | 67 |
| 3-point shooting | 12-33 (36.4%) | — |
| Points in the paint | 18 | 24 |
| Second-chance points | 10 | 11 |
| Individual highlight | Dorn 18 pts, 6-11 FG, 4-9 3P | Kaufman-Renn 23 pts |
The table underscores how Indiana leaned on perimeter efficiency to counter Purdue’s inside scoring. While the Boilermakers outscored IU in the paint and marginally in second-chance points, the Hoosiers offset those deficits with superior 3-point accuracy in the first half and disciplined late-game execution. Team rebounding was a collective effort, reducing easy putbacks and limiting extended possessions for Purdue.
Reactions & quotes
That was a huge shot for us. You know he’s not afraid. He just loves the moment and he loves competing and the challenge of everything.
Darian DeVries on Conor Enright’s late 3
I’m going to say the biggest key was that crowd out there. When they’re making their run and our crowd kept willing us to keep fighting in every possession.
Darian DeVries postgame on Assembly Hall atmosphere
Unconfirmed
- Some summaries circulated with a conflicting final score of 70-65; official box-score confirmation is required to resolve that discrepancy.
- Tayton Conerway’s injury was described as an ankle issue that prevented him from playing; the exact diagnosis and timetable for return have not been publicly detailed.
Bottom line
Indiana’s 72-67 victory over Purdue is a milestone in the DeVries era, delivering a signature Quad 1 result and validating adjustments to lineup and rotation. The game highlighted the value of perimeter shooting depth, a durable defensive guard in Enright, and collective rebounding that limited Purdue’s interior advantage.
Looking ahead, Indiana will need to replicate similar defensive focus and home-court intensity to protect its remaining five home games and continue bolstering an NCAA résumé that lacks recent marquee wins. If Dorn maintains his shooting form and Enright continues to anchor possessions without sacrificing defensive discipline, IU’s profile in the Big Ten and nationally should strengthen.
Sources
- Inside the Hall – independent college basketball media reporting and game recap