Dominant Second Half Propels Indiana Over Butler

Sunday, October 11

Indianapolis, Ind.

6:30 PM

Indiana University

0-0,0-0Big Ten

Butler (Exhibition)

0-0,0-0Big East

Team	1	2	F
Indiana	44	52	96
Butler	41	27	68

Box Score (PDF)

Dominant Second Half Propels Indiana Over Butler

10/11/2026 10:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Lineup experimentation? There was plenty of that Sunday night at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. A chance to face outside basketball competition for the first time since late July in Peru? Absolutely.

Indiana coach Darian DeVries got an early indication of what his Hoosiers might become, and if it came in a 96-68 exhibition win over Butler, everyone seemed satisfied.

"We wanted a true road game because we don't have one in the non-conference," DeVries said. "We wanted to be in this kind of atmosphere. It was a chance to see how we'll react in adverse conditions."

A late 23-1 Hoosier wiped away any adversity and ensured Hoosier dominance, but it was less about winning, DeVries said, than testing the team's resolve.

"I love the fact Butler made a run and cut it to three at halftime, and we had to respond. That's invaluable to get out of an exhibition."

Markus Burton, Darren Harris, and Jaeden Mustaf started at guard, with forward Aiden Sherrell and center Samet Yigitoglu inside.

Fourteen Hoosiers played and nine scored at least six points. Everyone scored at least two.

Harris, Burton, and Yigitoglu each had 13 points. Sherrell added 10 points and nine rebounds.

While the offensive balance was impressive, Harris said defense remains the priority.

"The biggest thing for us to focus on. That can keep us in games."

So can rebounding. IU had a 53-33 advantage.

"Our whole focus has been rebounding," DeVries said. "We want to be built for that. Our guys did a great job of just staying after it, staying after it.

"There's plenty of stuff we can work on, but I thought that was what we prioritized the whole off season. That it played out exactly how we wanted was terrific."

This was the first of three scheduled exhibitions as IU strives to build a championship-winning team and a return to Hoosier glory past (five national titles).

DeVries said he used the Hoosiers' football success, including Saturday's 20-17 comeback victory at previously unbeaten Nebraska, as an example of the resilience and toughness he wants his team to emulate.

"We talked about why they've been successful. Their ability to believe in what they're doing, to stay disciplined in the details and not get emotional with the ups and downs.

"(Football) is awesome for us right now. I showed our guys what are the things they've done to win tight games. The formula is the same in almost every sport. It has to be consistent. We're not there yet, but we're getting closer."

Effort was another priority.

"When you put that Indiana jersey on," forward Trent Sisley said, "I think you've just got to get give everything and leave it all on the floor."

Sisley and forward Sam Alexis are the only returning players from last season as DeVries rebuilt the roster to better handle Big Ten physicality.

One big key is building chemistry. So far so good, said Mustaf, a Georgia Tech transfer.

"We're creating a tight-knit bond. With so many of us being new, that's very important. And on the court, that helps us be able to, if we need to get on each other, talk to each other, whatever that looks like. Just be comfortable talking to one another without anyone taking it personal.

"We all want to be great. We all want to win at a high level."

******

IU faced a Butler squad coached by Ronald Nored, who had also rebuilt his roster in his debut season.

Burton opened Indiana's scoring with a 3-pointer, then added another. Yigitoglu had an inside basket. The Hoosiers led 8-2 in the first three minutes. Burton hit his first four shots, including three 3-pointers, as the Hoosiers surged to a 13-4 lead after six minutes. Butler made just two of its first 12 shots.

IU pushed ahead 17-6 before Butler began finding its 3-point shooting range. The Bulldogs closed to 23-18 with nine minutes left and then 26-23 a minute later. Harris countered with a long 3-pointer.

Sherrell powered in a layup. Yigitoglu followed with a hook shot and then a basket off a Sherrell miss, but the Hoosiers couldn't regain a double-digit lead. Butler ended the half with four straight points for a 44-41 Indiana advantage.

Burton led the Hoosiers with 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting. Yigitoglu added 10 points. Sherrell's seven rebounds gave the Hoosiers a 30-15 edge on the boards. IU had seven assists and seven turnovers while shooting 43 percent from the field.

Sherrell started the Hoosier second-half scoring with a 3-pointer. Harris followed with his third 3-pointer. Yigitoglu powered inside for a layup and a 52-47 Indiana lead three minutes into the second half.

Lindsay's 3-pointer, and Alexis's inside basket and Harris's two free throws pushed the Hoosiers ahead 61-53 with 13 minutes left. Trevor Manhertz hit a pair of 3-pointers to boost the lead to 67-55 with 11 minutes left.

Alexis followed with a three-point play. Mustaf added a 3-pointer. Harris hit a jumper. The lead swelled to 75-56 with 8:30 left.

The Hoosiers cruised from there.

Next up is Sunday's exhibition against North Carolina at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse.