Indiana Beats Syracuse 83-80 as Backcourt Trio Carries Hoosiers

Indiana backcourt carries Hoosiers past Syracuse

Markus Burton, Jaeden Mustaf, and Darren Harris combined for 58 points to lead the Indiana Hoosiers to an 83-80 victory over Syracuse on Monday night.

This win marked Indiana’s first successful test against a power conference opponent this season, according to Sports Illustrated.

The victory relied heavily on a high-performing backcourt to offset a lack of consistent scoring from the post. While the interior game struggled to find a rhythm, the perimeter play provided the necessary momentum to secure the three-point win during a tight contest.

Darian DeVries and Jaeden Mustaf discuss Indiana’s win over Syracuse

Jaeden Mustaf scores 18 points and rebounds

Jaeden Mustaf delivered what appeared to be his most complete performance as a Hoosier. He finished the night with 18 points and seven rebounds, including three offensive boards. Mustaf scored five consecutive points following an under-12 media timeout, converting an offensive rebound and a three-pointer.

Beyond his scoring, Mustaf fulfilled a critical defensive role requested by head coach Darian DeVries. He was tasked with being the team’s defensive stopper, a responsibility he met by guarding Syracuse’s leading scorer, Gavin Doty, at the start of the game. He later transitioned to guarding freshman Ryan Moesch, who finished with 15 points and shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

Darian DeVries and Jaeden Mustaf react to IU basketball's win against Syracuse

Mustaf’s impact extended to ball handling under pressure. During one possession, he secured a defensive rebound and dribbled through full-court pressure to finish with a layup. Doty, meanwhile, was held to just one point on 0-of-3 shooting during the first half.

Interior struggles persist for Indiana

Despite the win, Indiana faced notable challenges in the paint. The team struggled to establish a reliable scoring option through its big men, often finding themselves unable to convert possessions into consistent interior offense.

Highlights | Syracuse vs. Indiana

Aiden Sherrell’s availability was limited in the first half after picking up two early fouls, which restricted him to just six minutes of play. While Sherrell was efficient from distance, hitting both of his three-point attempts, he did not score near the basket.

Samet Yigitoglu remained active on the defensive glass and drew fouls while fighting for position. However, Syracuse frequently utilized double-teams to disrupt his rhythm. While Yigitoglu has shown an ability to turn double-teams into scoring opportunities through passing—a skill seen in a previous game against Western Kentucky—the Hoosiers struggled to capitalize on that potential on Monday due to missed outside shots.

Indiana Men's Basketball | Full Game Highlights vs. Syracuse | 11/9/26

Backcourt production secures the win

The starting backcourt proved to be the decisive factor when the game reached its closing stages. The trio of Burton, Mustaf, and Harris provided the offensive variety required to overcome the lack of post production.

The following table breaks down the scoring contributions from the primary offensive drivers identified in the game:

Player	Primary Role/Contribution
Markus Burton	Created offense through the paint and facilitated for teammates.
Jaeden Mustaf	Scored 18 points and provided defensive stopper capabilities.
Darren Harris	Offered a threat via cutting and catch-and-shoot opportunities.

Burton continued to demonstrate his ability to create offense both for himself and his teammates by driving into the paint. Harris complemented this by acting as a constant threat away from the ball, whether through cutting behind the defense or catching and shooting off inbounds plays.

The reliance on the perimeter remains a defining characteristic of this Indiana squad. While the backcourt’s ability to carry the offense during high-pressure stretches was evident, the team’s long-term success may hinge on finding more consistent production from its bigs.