BLOOMINGTON, Ind.–The new Indiana University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Darian DeVries said Wednesday that he has a plan to make the “banners rise again.” 

DeVries said he wants his team to score quickly on offense. That’s how DeVries has always liked to do it in his previous head coaching stops at Drake and West Virginia. 

“We feel the best way to score is before the defense can get set. That’s our main priority. If we can’t score within the first 12 seconds, then we’ll try and get the best shot we can,” said DeVries. 

IU Athletic Director Scott Dolson said his team of researchers also liked at many key metrics. 

“We looked at Darian’s winning percentage decided by five points or less and in that category, he had a 65% winning percentage in his career and that’s a big thing,” said Dolson. 

DeVries said having talent is one thing, but there’s far more to having a successful basketball program than just talent. 

“The teams that can rebound, take care of the ball, play together, and play unselfish, those are the teams that have the most success. That will be our focus,” said DeVries. 

DeVries said he will also be constantly evaluating the motivation of all of his players. 

“Every player’s motivation needs to be the right motivation for why they want to be a part of your program,” said DeVries. “When we go out, we’re not making exceptions to what we believe is important.” 

IU President Pamela Whitten also was complimentary of DeVries’ approach. 

“His recognition that it’s about the student athletes and it’s about the students also really stood out to me when talking to Coach DeVries,” said Whitten. 

Indiana has won five championships in men’s basketball, but the last one was in 1987. They were the national runner up in 2002. The last time Indiana made a Sweet 16 was in 2016. DeVries is the 31st men’s basketball head coach at Indiana.