Indiana University Athletics
Monday, November 9
Indianapolis, Ind.
6:30 PM
Indiana University
vs
Syracuse
11/9/2026 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Trevor Manhertz does not impose his physical will on a basketball court in the manner of, say, Indiana teammate Aiden Sherrell. For one thing, Manhertz is 6-foot-9 and 185 pounds to Sherrell's 7-foot and 250. For another, Manhertz is a true freshman with much to learn and experience, while Sherrell is a third-year veteran with a pair of SEC seasons under his belt.
So, when Manhertz gets significant playing opportunity, as he has for the Hoosiers (2-0) as they prepare for Syracuse (2-0) Monday night at Indianapolis's Gainbridge Fieldhouse, he does not disappoint or lose perspective.
"It's knowing I'm small; that I'm not the heaviest dude out there," he says. "I'm eventually going to get bodied, so if I'm not fighting back, there's nothing I can do."
Manhertz has done plenty of fighting so far. In 17.0 minutes a game, he averages 10.0 points and 3.5 rebounds. He's 6-for-10 from the field and 4-for-8 from 3-point range.
Ask him about his off-the-bench role and he says, "I'm just trying to do my role, play defense. Offense will come. Everyone has good games, bad games. But defense travels, so if I don't play good defense, I can't get a role."
That Manhertz is getting such a large role so early on a veteran team doesn't surprise third-year guard Darren Harris.
"He looks real comfortable," Harris says. "If you were to watch this team and not know anything about him, you wouldn't be able to tell he's a freshman. He's versatile. He plays really hard. He does everything on the court. He's made a lot of growth since Day One coming here."
This is why veteran guard Jaden Mustaf calls Manhertz "a pro" and coach Darian DeVries gives him so much trust.
"Trevor is so early in his college career," DeVries says, "but I love his knowledge of the game, his feel for the game, his length. (Against Bellarmine on Thursday), he had a big block. There's just so much there.
"For a young college player playing his first two college games, he's only going to continue to get better. He works incredibly hard.
"He's not a very big, thick guy, but he's not scared. He sticks his nose in there. He'll go mix it up, and that allows him even with his body type to get in there and show some physicality."
His defensive impact, Manhertz says, hasn't come easily.
"It's been really hard. Coming out of high school, I was mainly just focused on my offense. Defense, I didn't really take much time into.
"Coming here and talking with (assistant coach Rod Clark), who's pretty much my right-hand man. He's emphasized defense. That's a big part of it for me, just having someone like that emphasizing defense and trusting me."
Better defense is coming, DeVries adds.
"He just has to continue to do what he's doing. That length is going to be something he'll be able to utilize. The physicality will be an adjustment as he continues to get better. He'll learn how to fight back a little bit, too, and know what he can get away with or not get away with.
"He's going to continue to fight. (Against Bellarmine), there were a couple times he got stuck down there. It's learning that, hey, you can really be aggressive with your wall-ups and be physical and they're not going to call fouls down in the paint like that. His length will give him that opportunity."
Opportunity returns against Syracuse, which is led by junior guard Gavin Doty, a transfer from Siena who averages 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds. Sophomore guard Kiyan Anthony, the son of former NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony, averages 15.5 points and 2.5 rebounds.
Syracuse is coached by Gerry McNamara, who spent the previous two seasons at Siena. McNamara played on Syracuse's 2003 national title team.
The Orange have opened with decisive victories over New Haven and Central Connecticut State. They did lose to UConn 72-52 in an exhibition last month.
Syracuse has beaten IU six straight times, most recently in 2021 by a 112-110 score in double overtime.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Trevor Manhertz does not impose his physical will on a basketball court in the manner of, say, Indiana teammate Aiden Sherrell. For one thing, Manhertz is 6-foot-9 and 185 pounds to Sherrell's 7-foot and 250. For another, Manhertz is a true freshman with much to learn and experience, while Sherrell is a third-year veteran with a pair of SEC seasons under his belt.
So, when Manhertz gets significant playing opportunity, as he has for the Hoosiers (2-0) as they prepare for Syracuse (2-0) Monday night at Indianapolis's Gainbridge Fieldhouse, he does not disappoint or lose perspective.
"It's knowing I'm small; that I'm not the heaviest dude out there," he says. "I'm eventually going to get bodied, so if I'm not fighting back, there's nothing I can do."
Manhertz has done plenty of fighting so far. In 17.0 minutes a game, he averages 10.0 points and 3.5 rebounds. He's 6-for-10 from the field and 4-for-8 from 3-point range.
Ask him about his off-the-bench role and he says, "I'm just trying to do my role, play defense. Offense will come. Everyone has good games, bad games. But defense travels, so if I don't play good defense, I can't get a role."
That Manhertz is getting such a large role so early on a veteran team doesn't surprise third-year guard Darren Harris.
"He looks real comfortable," Harris says. "If you were to watch this team and not know anything about him, you wouldn't be able to tell he's a freshman. He's versatile. He plays really hard. He does everything on the court. He's made a lot of growth since Day One coming here."
This is why veteran guard Jaden Mustaf calls Manhertz "a pro" and coach Darian DeVries gives him so much trust.
"Trevor is so early in his college career," DeVries says, "but I love his knowledge of the game, his feel for the game, his length. (Against Bellarmine on Thursday), he had a big block. There's just so much there.
"For a young college player playing his first two college games, he's only going to continue to get better. He works incredibly hard.
"He's not a very big, thick guy, but he's not scared. He sticks his nose in there. He'll go mix it up, and that allows him even with his body type to get in there and show some physicality."
His defensive impact, Manhertz says, hasn't come easily.
"It's been really hard. Coming out of high school, I was mainly just focused on my offense. Defense, I didn't really take much time into.
"Coming here and talking with (assistant coach Rod Clark), who's pretty much my right-hand man. He's emphasized defense. That's a big part of it for me, just having someone like that emphasizing defense and trusting me."
Better defense is coming, DeVries adds.
"He just has to continue to do what he's doing. That length is going to be something he'll be able to utilize. The physicality will be an adjustment as he continues to get better. He'll learn how to fight back a little bit, too, and know what he can get away with or not get away with.
"He's going to continue to fight. (Against Bellarmine), there were a couple times he got stuck down there. It's learning that, hey, you can really be aggressive with your wall-ups and be physical and they're not going to call fouls down in the paint like that. His length will give him that opportunity."
Opportunity returns against Syracuse, which is led by junior guard Gavin Doty, a transfer from Siena who averages 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds. Sophomore guard Kiyan Anthony, the son of former NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony, averages 15.5 points and 2.5 rebounds.
Syracuse is coached by Gerry McNamara, who spent the previous two seasons at Siena. McNamara played on Syracuse's 2003 national title team.
The Orange have opened with decisive victories over New Haven and Central Connecticut State. They did lose to UConn 72-52 in an exhibition last month.
Syracuse has beaten IU six straight times, most recently in 2021 by a 112-110 score in double overtime.
Players Mentioned
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