Indiana basketball coach Darian DeVries supports NCAA Tournament expansion, viewing it similarly to the transfer portal. He emphasizes adapting to whatever rules are established for the tournament.
BLOOMINGTON â Darian DeVries said Thursday he welcomes any opportunity to take his Indiana basketball team to the NCAA Tournament, but emphasized heâs concerned only about working within whatever parameters the rules provide.
Asked Thursday during a wide-ranging Zoom session with reporters about the potential for tournament expansion, DeVries said âwe love the opportunity to get in there.â More fundamentally, though, he affirmed that heâs comfortable with whatever format the NCAA settles on.
âExpansion, if it indeed does happen, which it looks like itâs headed that way, itâs kind of like the (transfer) portal,â DeVries said. âWe just roll with what they tell us the rules are.â
Reports circulated last week that the NCAA is strongly considering expanding its menâs and womenâs tournaments by eight teams to 76. The move has long enjoyed the support of association President Charlie Baker, who spoke with assembled media, including IndyStar, on the subject during a February roundtable.
Indiana's Trent Sisley (11) shoots over Minnesota's Grayson Grove (2) during the Indiana versus Minnesota men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Q&A
What is Darian DeVries' opinion on NCAA Tournament expansion?
Darian DeVries welcomes NCAA Tournament expansion and is comfortable with whatever format the NCAA decides.
How does DeVries compare NCAA Tournament expansion to the transfer portal?
DeVries likens NCAA Tournament expansion to the transfer portal, stating that teams must adapt to the rules set by the NCAA.
What are the potential implications of NCAA Tournament expansion for Indiana basketball?
If NCAA Tournament expansion occurs, it could provide more opportunities for Indiana basketball to participate in the tournament.
When did Darian DeVries discuss NCAA Tournament expansion?
Darian DeVries discussed NCAA Tournament expansion during a Zoom session with reporters on Thursday.
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Notre Dame guard Markus Burton shoots the ball during a NCAA basketball game against LIU Brooklyn at Purcell Pavilion on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in South Bend.
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) dunks past Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 03: Samet Yigitoglu #24 of the SMU Mustangs is defended by Henri Veesaar #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half at Moody Coliseum on January 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Darren Harris (8) dunks the ball against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Jan 7, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Jaeden Mustaf (3) takes a jump shot in the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Feb 4, 2026; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Bryce Lindsay (2) reacts after the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Bishop McNamara Mustangs guard Prince-Alexander Moody (2) looks to pass as Wheeler Wildcats forward Jaron Saulsberry (1) guards him during the first quarter of a City of Palms Classic first round game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
CIA-Bella Vista Bears forward Vaughn Karvala (24) tries to pass the ball as Prolific Prep Crew guard Bruce Branch II (3) guards him during the third quarter of a City of Palms Classic Signature Series game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
Freshman Trevor Manhertz is a 6-foot-8 forward who signed his letter of intent to play for IU.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Indiana's Trent Sisley (11) shoots over Minnesota's Grayson Grove (2) during the Indiana versus Minnesota men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Indiana's Trent Sisley (11) shoots over Minnesota's Grayson Grove (2) during the Indiana versus Minnesota men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Notre Dame guard Markus Burton shoots the ball during a NCAA basketball game against LIU Brooklyn at Purcell Pavilion on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in South Bend.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) dunks past Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 03: Samet Yigitoglu #24 of the SMU Mustangs is defended by Henri Veesaar #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half at Moody Coliseum on January 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Darren Harris (8) dunks the ball against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Jan 7, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Jaeden Mustaf (3) takes a jump shot in the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Feb 4, 2026; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Bryce Lindsay (2) reacts after the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Bishop McNamara Mustangs guard Prince-Alexander Moody (2) looks to pass as Wheeler Wildcats forward Jaron Saulsberry (1) guards him during the first quarter of a City of Palms Classic first round game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
CIA-Bella Vista Bears forward Vaughn Karvala (24) tries to pass the ball as Prolific Prep Crew guard Bruce Branch II (3) guards him during the third quarter of a City of Palms Classic Signature Series game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Freshman Trevor Manhertz is a 6-foot-8 forward who signed his letter of intent to play for IU.
âI would like to see it expand,â Baker said then.
Baker declined to revisit the topic during a scrum at the Final Four last month, but moves since have underscored his â and presumably his membershipâs â desire to see those fields expand. As recently as Wednesday, ESPN reported the NCAA is âpushing through the final stepsâ in that process, with confirmation of the move possible as early as Thursday.
The jump to 76 would be the tournamentâs largest expansion since it moved to 64 teams in 1985. The eight additional bids are expected to prompt an expanded opening round, with 24 of the fieldâs 76 teams playing either on Tuesday or Wednesday of the first week of the tournament.
Expansion has been met with mixed reaction across the sport. DeVries acknowledged the move would likely prompt some criticism.
âPeople will be on both sides, whether they like it, donât like it,â DeVries said. âFor us, we love the opportunity to get in there. Weâll see how it plays out, and what it looks like if they indeed do put it officially in play.â
