Indiana Basketball Players Discuss Loss to Michigan State

Tucker DeVries and Lamar Wilkerson speak to reporters after the Hoosiers' 77-64 defeat

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Indiana basketball players Tucker DeVries and Lamar Wilkerson spoke to reporters following the Hoosiers' 77-64 loss to Michigan State on Sunday. DeVries and Wilkerson discussed the team's struggles in the first half, their efforts to mount a comeback, and the need to finish the season strong despite the defeat.

Why it matters

This loss is a setback for Indiana's basketball team, which has been working to regain momentum after a strong start to the season. The players' comments provide insight into the team's mindset and areas they need to improve as they approach the final stretch of the regular season and the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.

The details

Indiana struggled in the first half, allowing Michigan State to shoot 7-for-13 from three-point range and build a double-digit lead. DeVries acknowledged that the Hoosiers had some missed assignments on defense, but felt they still had a chance to get back into the game. In the second half, Indiana was able to claw back, but couldn't get the key defensive rebounds and stops they needed to complete the comeback. Wilkerson scored 19 points in the second half, but his efforts were not enough to overcome the deficit.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The players

Tucker DeVries

A fifth-year senior forward for the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team.

Lamar Wilkerson

A sixth-year senior guard for the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I thought the first half they did really well. Some of them were pretty contested and tough shots, and some of them were missed assignments. I'd say it's a combination of both.”

— Tucker DeVries, Fifth-year senior forward (ASAP Sports)

“We're just not playing our best basketball as a group. There's a lot of things we have to fix. We've played some good teams, other than the one we choked on last week. I don't know.”

— Lamar Wilkerson, Sixth-year senior guard (ASAP Sports)

“There's times you go out there and you lay it all out there, and it's just not enough. I thought tonight was a little more on that side than the last previous losses.”

— Tucker DeVries, Fifth-year senior forward (ASAP Sports)

What’s next

The Hoosiers have two regular season games remaining, including a home game on Senior Night. They will then look to make a run in the Big Ten Tournament as they try to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Despite the disappointing loss, the Indiana players remain committed to finishing the season strong and giving themselves a chance to compete in the postseason. The team's ability to regroup and improve their execution on both ends of the floor will be crucial in the final stretch of the season.