Markus Burton’s Efficient Opener Gives DeVries Plenty to Build Around

Markus Burton gave Indiana and Darian DeVries plenty to appreciate in the season opener, combining aggressive playmaking with the efficiency his coach wants from a player handling significant responsibility.

Burton finished with five assists and just one turnover, helping establish an offensive foundation for a group still learning how to play together. For DeVries, the encouraging part was how Burton created opportunities, whether he finished possessions himself or delivered the ball to a teammate.

“He’s being aggressive making plays,” DeVries said. “And sometimes that’s with him finishing it with a shot attempt.”

When defenders collapsed around Burton’s penetration, he also found teammates on the perimeter. That ability to draw attention and make the next pass gave the offense another way to generate quality opportunities.

DeVries said Burton’s aggressiveness had increased over the previous couple of weeks. His opening performance suggested that improvement was translating into game action without creating an excessive number of mistakes.

The outing also marked another step in Burton’s return to competition. Asked about the challenge of playing efficiently after not appearing in a game since December, DeVries pointed to summer exhibition opportunities as helpful preparation.

More importantly, he has seen consistent progress in Burton’s movement and comfort level.

“He’s got his burst back,” DeVries said. “He’s getting to his spots again.”

Burton’s perimeter shooting has been another encouraging development. DeVries credited the time Burton has spent working with Coach Johnson and his commitment to becoming a more efficient three-point shooter.

The coach also approved of Burton’s shot selection. Making shots matters, but DeVries wants that production to come from recognizing good opportunities within the offense.

Burton was part of a broader effort to pressure the defense through penetration. DeVries specifically praised Markus, Bryce and Jaeden Mustaf for getting downhill and helping create paint touches.

Those attacks can lead to shots near the rim, free throws or passes to open teammates. Even when the offense became stagnant, DeVries appreciated the continued effort to challenge defenders.

He also emphasized the importance of having both Markus and Bryce available to initiate offense. Although they attack differently, DeVries described both as efficient players who give him flexibility with his lineups and substitutions.

Burton’s performance was not without areas for improvement. DeVries wants him to avoid unnecessary fouls, even while maintaining the defensive tenacity that helped increase the team’s pressure late in the first half.

For an offense developing its chemistry, however, Burton supplied an encouraging starting point. His combination of penetration, decision-making and controlled aggression gave DeVries a performance worth building upon as the season moves forward.