Darian DeVries is set to enter a pivotal Year 2 at the helm of the Indiana basketball program. DeVries had the Hoosiers well-positioned for a March Madness birth in mid-February, but a 1-6 stretch to close out the season doomed those chances. He ended up with an overall record of 18-14 to go along with an underwhelming 9-11 record in Big Ten play during his first season in Bloomington.
The 2 most important players for Indiana basketball heading into the 2026 season
DeVries has re-tooled Indiana's roster with a well-rounded transfer portal class that has plenty of potential. But as DeVries learned the hard way last season, you can never have enough depth. A newly eligible name has become available through the portal, and DeVries and company should give him a look.
Angelo Brizzi is a name to watch in the transfer portal
Buffalo guard Angelo Brizzi was recently granted a hardship waiver by the NCAA, giving him a 5th year of eligibility. Brizzi has played four seasons of college basketball at four different schools, but he played in just nine games as a freshman at Villanova, which is likely why he received the waiver.
A 6'3" 195-pound guard, Brizzi is coming off the best season of his college career. He averaged 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for Buffalo last season. He also shot a strong 48.0% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the arc.
Buffalo guard Angelo Brizzi has been granted hardship waiver by the NCAA, @Sim_Frazier tells @On3
— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) June 17, 2026
The 6-3 senior averaged 14.5 points on 37.3% from three this season.
From Warrenton, Va.https://t.co/sF704yhiVh pic.twitter.com/ektzYV39BJ
In total, Brizzi has suited up for Villanova, Davidson, Longwood, and Buffalo in his collegiate career. In those four seasons, he has averaged 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field, 34.6% from three-point range, and 77.5% from the free throw line.
Does Indiana need more backcourt depth?
DeVries' transfer portal haul this offseason features plenty of high-major talent. When it comes to the backcourt, Indiana's portal additions include PG Markus Burton from Notre Dame, SG Jaeden Mustaf from Georgia Tech, Darren Harris from Duke, and Bryce Lindsay from Villanova. Incoming freshman combo guard Prince-Alexander Moody also figures to have an opportunity to gain some playing time.
That is a solid mix of talent, but as previsoul mentioned, more depth is never a bad thing. Brizzi's numbers don't jump off the page, but he is coming off the best season of his career and has plenty of experience -- something DeVries has prioritized when constructing his transfer portal classes in Bloomington.
He is a reliable scorer, can help out on the glass, and can handle the ball while scoring off the dribble. That kind of skill set could make for a strong fit in the system DeVries wants to run.
With the IU fan base hungrier than ever for another March Madness run, it couldn't hurt for DeVries to add some depth to Indiana's backcourt. Coming off a disappointing first season, it's clear that DeVries has adjusted his approach to the transfer portal, and bringing in an experienced player like Brizzi is at least worth exploring.
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