Indiana basketball is making the right kind of noise during summer workouts

Indiana basketball coach Darian DeVries gave his players a simple directive when they arrived on campus — bring positive energy to the floor everyday.

He delivered the same message to his assistant coaches, staffers and general managers.

DeVries emphasized the point throughout IU’s summer workouts and the extra practices the program scheduled after signing up for a foreign tour. The result of those efforts was obvious last week as the Hoosiers made their final preparations for the trip.

The gym at Cook Hall was a cacophony of noise for as long as the Hoosiers were on the floor during an hour-long practice that was open to reporters. There was constant clapping, chants for made dunks (“Hey!”) and made 3-pointers (“Boom”) and cheering.

“Energy is contagious,” Sam Houston transfer Lamar Wilkerson said. “If you have energy, you are going to have more good days than bad days. Managers and players are coming in with the ultimate energy, and that just carries over to everything we do.”

DeVries’ philosophy isn’t some newfound mantra.

He told reporters after practice that he’s preached the importance of “energy and enthusiasm” ever since landing his first head coaching job at Drake. His son Tucker, who is among IU’s most recent transfer class, has vivid memories of attending spirited practices in Des Moines long before suiting up for the Bulldogs.