Indiana basketball fans know all too well the anxiety of March Madness bubble talk. As the Hoosiers have lived on that knife's edge in recent seasons, head coach Darian DeVries is keeping his focus on what he can control — even as the NCAA Tournament itself might be changing.
Speaking Thursday during a wide-ranging Zoom session with reporters, DeVries made it clear he's ready for whatever comes next. When asked about the possibility of an expanded tournament field, Indiana's head coach didn't hesitate. "We love the opportunity to get in there," he said, before offering a practical perspective that any college basketball fan can appreciate.
"Expansion, if it indeed does happen — which it looks like it's headed that way — it's kind of like the (transfer) portal," DeVries explained. "We just roll with what they tell us the rules are."
That comparison to the transfer portal is telling. In an era where college basketball's landscape shifts faster than a fast break, DeVries is taking the same adaptable approach that's served coaches navigating roster turnover. It's a mindset that resonates beyond the court — whether you're building a team or building your game-day wardrobe, flexibility wins.
Reports surfaced last week that the NCAA is strongly considering expanding both the men's and women's tournaments by eight teams, bringing the field to 76. The proposal has long enjoyed support from NCAA President Charlie Baker, who discussed the possibility with media during a February roundtable.
For a program like Indiana, with its rich basketball tradition and passionate fan base, more tournament spots could mean more March moments in Bloomington. But for now, DeVries is keeping his eyes on the floor, not the bracket. "We just roll with what they tell us," he said — a coach's mantra that applies to everything from game plans to tournament formats.
