Indiana was always expected to handle Bellarmine with relative ease, and the Hoosiers did exactly that, winning 92-69. However, beyond another lopsided victory, two individual performances provided encouraging signs for head coach Darian DeVries and his developing roster.
Darren Harris found his shooting touch, while freshman Trevor Manhertz continued demonstrating why he deserves meaningful minutes despite still adjusting to the college game.
For Harris, the performance was particularly encouraging after struggling to find consistency with his jumper in Indiana's previous outings. Rather than allowing those struggles to affect his confidence, Harris turned to film study and minor mechanical adjustments.
"I didn't really shoot it well the last couple games," Harris said. "I just really looked at film, knowing my shot better than anybody else. Just trying to look at film as much as I can, just see what's natural, and just making little tweaks."
Harris also acknowledged that adjusting to a different program, coaching staff and playing time expectations has required patience. His performance against Bellarmine suggested that comfort level is beginning to improve.
That development could be significant for Indiana's offensive ceiling.
The Hoosiers already possess multiple scoring threats, including Bryce Lindsay and versatile big man Aiden Sherrell. When Harris provides another dependable perimeter option, opposing defenses face considerably more difficult decisions about where to concentrate their attention.
Harris believes Indiana's combination of shooting, interior scoring, transition opportunities and defensive ability makes the team particularly dangerous when everything comes together.
Meanwhile, Manhertz is establishing his identity through an entirely different approach.
The freshman understands that offensive production might fluctuate, but his defensive effort must remain consistent if he wants to maintain a meaningful role in DeVries' rotation.
"Everyone has good games, bad games, but defense travels," Manhertz said. "So if I don't play good defense, I can't get a role."
Manhertz admitted that defensive responsibilities weren't necessarily his biggest priority in high school. That mentality has changed since arriving in Bloomington, where the coaching staff has emphasized physicality, positioning and consistent effort.
His willingness to embrace contact despite a relatively slender frame also reflects the competitive mindset Indiana wants from its younger players.
Harris has certainly noticed the freshman's development, praising his versatility, effort and maturity through the opening stages of the season.
Ultimately, Bellarmine wasn't going to provide the Hoosiers with their toughest challenge. Still, individual growth matters during these early-season opportunities.
If Harris becomes a consistent perimeter weapon and Manhertz continues developing into a dependable defensive contributor, Indiana's depth and versatility will only become more valuable when the competition gets considerably tougher.
