Indiana's roster for the 2026-27 season has been heavily constructed through the transfer portal. Darian DeVries brought in seven transfers this offseason, and the majority of that group is expected to see significant playing time this season.
Indiana's lone returning player from last year's team comes in the form of sophomore Trent Sisley. The Santa Claus, IN native experienced plenty of growing pains during his freshman season, which can best be described as up-and-down.
If the Hoosiers are going to take a big step forward in Year 2 of the DeVries era, Sisley needs to also take a substantial step forward. The key to that becoming a reality heavily relies on one word: consistency.
Trent Sisley eyeing more consistency in sophomore season for Indiana
Sisley concluded his freshman campaign with a state line that consisted of 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game while seeing 13.1 minutes of playing time per contest. But those numbers don't tell the whole story.
2 major questions facing Indiana Basketball in Year 2 under Darian DeVries
Sisley started his rookie season in promising fashion. He scored in double-figures in four of his first seven games to open the season, and averaged a steady 20 minutes per game over the first 12 games of the year. However, inconsistency and missed opportunities led to his playing time seeing a serious decrease over the course of the second half of the season.
He saw the floor just 8.5 minutes per game since December 20, and averaged just 1.6 points per game in that stretch. The 6'8" Hoosier ended the season by playing just a single minute in Indiana's Big Ten Tournament matchup against Northwestern on March 11.
Trent Sisley is already making noticeable strides this offseason
Moving forward, Sisley knows that is expected of him heading into his sophomore season. He's added 15 pounds to his frame this offseason, and plans to stay ready for wherever and whenever his number is called.
“Obviously, up and down as the freshman season,” Sisley said when speaking to the media last week. “I think that’s what happens to a lot of people. So I didn’t change my attitude or anything, just stayed ready. And then, obviously, my role went down a little bit towards the end of the season, but I didn’t let it bother me.”
He also expressed that he is much more comfortable at this point in time than he was heading into his freshman season.
"I’ve been here for a year now,” Sisley said. “I’m just more comfortable doing what coach wants...So I’m just able to do what he wants and then I think it helps me as a player because I’m not as indecisive and stuff like that.”
Sisley can play any of the 3-5 positions, and will likely start the season as a rotational piece in Indiana's frontcourt. Incoming transfers Aiden Sherrell (Alabama) and Samet Yigitoglu (SMU) figure to take on leading roles, but Sisley's contributions could take Indiana's new-look frontcourt to a level that it desperatley missed last season.
Obviously, more playing time plays a vital role in Sisley's development. But it's up to Sisley to earn it. If he continues to impress throughout the offseason, don't be surprised if the Hoosier State native carves out a significant role in 2026-27.
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