Year 1 of the Darian DeVries era in Bloomington ended in underwhelming fashion. DeVries led the Hoosiers to an 18-14 overall record and went 1-6 down the stretch to crush any hopes they had of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
But things are looking up as he heads into Year 2.
DeVries has rebuilt Indiana's roster for next season with six solid transfers that currently make up the top portal class in the country according to On3. The Hoosiers are even garnering some top-25 attention from ESPN, which bring a new hope to Bloomington.
As DeVries looks to take Indiana back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023, home games at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall will look a bit different - but in a way that students will love.
IU student section to occupy court-level bleachers on both ends of Assembly Hall
On Friday morning, the Indiana athletic department announced that IU students are coming closer to the action in 2026-27.
Starting this coming season, the Hoosier student section will occupy the court-level bleachers at both ends of Assembly Hall. The move effectively doubles the amount of students that can sit courtside at IU home games. Previously, students were only permitted to sit in the south bleachers.
According to Indiana's press release, the move will bring the number of student court-level seats to approximately 1,200.
IU Students, come on down ‼️
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) May 1, 2026
We're making some moves in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. pic.twitter.com/M6KMKtXoom
It's a move Hoosier fans are excited to see, and one that many argue is long overdue.
The move to double the amount of students sitting courtside figures to boost Indiana's home-court advantage even more. Assembly Hall was already among the toughest places to play for opposing teams, but now that task gets even more difficult for visitors.
As DeVries enters his second season, the pressure is building to deliver. Indiana fans are hungrier than ever for a March Madness run, and are pleased to see how the 2026-27 roster is coming into form. The talent is there, but it's now on DeVries to make it all come together.
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