The sunsets were golden, the water was warm and the basketball was relentless.
For Indiana, the week on the island wasn’t just about wins, though they collected those too. It was about discovering what kind of team they could be when tested — both on the hardwood and in moments far removed from the court.
The Hoosiers wrapped up their foreign tour Monday afternoon by pulling off their second improbable rally in as many games, storming back from 20 points down to edge Serbian professional club Mega Superbet, 81-80.
Two days earlier, Indiana had erased a 23-point deficit to defeat the same opponent. The back-to-back comebacks capped a 3-0 trip that left head coach Darian DeVries pleased with far more than just the final scores.
“This was a great trip for us. These last two games, we learned a lot,” DeVries said after Monday’s win. “It was a great week — an awesome opportunity for us to be down here and take advantage of this being our trip for this year.”
TRENDING: Indiana’s second-half comeback proves lack of size may not matter
In Puerto Rico, the Hoosiers’ all-new roster had its first chance to put DeVries’ preferred style into motion against opponents that weren’t themselves — a modern, aggressive approach built on attacking the rim and firing away from deep.
Over three games, Indiana averaged 29 3-point attempts, a stark shift from past teams. The 30 percent accuracy rate was far from perfect, but the shot profile was exactly what DeVries wanted.
Ball movement also shined, with the team averaging 23.7 assists per game, though DeVries still sees room to sharpen their energy and movement away from the ball, especially early in games.
“In general, watching the last few games, I think stylistically we’re playing to how we want to play,” DeVries said.
Still, the most telling trait of the week might have been the team’s resilience.
Twice, Indiana’s slow starts dug holes large enough to bury most teams. Twice, the Hoosiers clawed their way back, possession by possession, until the cracks showed in their opponent’s composure.
“I love the resiliency,” DeVries said. “I love the fact that we stuck with it until we found a little crack and were able to take advantage of it.”
The trip’s value extended well beyond the three exhibition contests.
Between games, Indiana’s players wandered the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, snorkeled among tropical fish, raced jet skis across open water, played beach volleyball and even tried kayaking — something several had never done before. Some were nervous about the ocean or imagined sharks lurking below, but they still stepped in.
“We’ve done a lot of different things, a lot of different activities that put guys in uncomfortable situations,” DeVries said. “Off the court, it’s been great to see the guys and how they’ve interacted not only amongst each other but with everyone else. You can see them growing together and connecting together over the course of this week.”
SEE ALSO: Coach Q&A: Darian DeVries talks Indiana’s 81-80 win over Mega Superbet
The Hoosiers will now return to Bloomington with a better sense of who they are and where they need to improve. The next couple of weeks will bring rest before the push into fall workouts, with the season set to open in November.
“Now we get to go back home and take a couple of weeks off,” DeVries said. “As a staff, we got some great film and some great data to work with as we now begin the fall workouts and get ready, ultimately, for our season.”
Three wins, two breathtaking comebacks and countless shared experiences made Puerto Rico the perfect proving ground.
For Indiana, the week ended not just with an unbeaten record, but with a deeper connection and a clearer vision — the kind of offseason momentum the Hoosiers hope can carry all the way into March.
Not yet a member of TheHoosier? Join our community for Just $1 for your first week and get a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership. Join here!
Use the code “IND20” on Rhoback.com for a generous 20% off for all new customers through the end of this week. Rhoback — Best Fit, Best Feel.
