INDIANA UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 2, 2026

Markus Burton

Jaeden Mustaf

Postgame Media Conference

Indiana - 91, Eastern Illinois - 57

Q. Markus, the offensive flow that you guys got tonight, it might have taken a little bit to get going, but nine 3s, almost 38 percent from 3. First game, your thoughts are what as far as the offensive flow?

MARKUS BURTON: Like I said, it's a lot of new guys obviously. It's going to take time for us to just come out and be efficient like out of the gate. I feel like today was just a learning experience. Obviously the outcome was the outcome that we like, and I feel like we competed and played hard at a high level. So that was all that mattered.

Q. In the second half it looked like Darian challenged you guys defensively. What does that look like when he gets on you guys and wants maybe a little more focus?

JAEDEN MUSTAF: I think we felt like at the beginning of the second half they kind of got a few layups at the rim. Stuff that we can control, like in the first half, they went like eight, nine minutes, and they didn't score a bucket. So we know what it looks like when we fully lock in, being the lead on defense.

He just challenged us to be at that standard at all times.

Q. Markus, it seemed like getting out and running just even back to the preseason has been the key for this team. What are the keys, and what is important for this transition offense, specifically what this team can do and what this team is looking to do when it tries to break?

MARKUS BURTON: What we can do, obviously we've got a lot of talent and a lot of speed. A lot of the things Coach DeVries preaches is just getting out and going fast. We've got a lot of guys that can get out in transition and push the ball. That's what he preaches, but it's just things we can continue to keep getting better at. Obviously those things will get better as the time and as the season goes on.

Q. Jaeden, whether it was Markus' scoring or playmaking, how much easier does he make things for you offensively?

JAEDEN MUSTAF: A lot easier. I've known him since we decided to come here, like me knowing he was coming here is another big reason why I'm here.

You know how great of a scorer he is, but I don't think he gets enough credit for as much of a playmaker he can be as well. He makes it a lot easier for us.

Q. Jaeden, you had a 29-8 edge in points off turnovers. How big was that to be able to generate that kind of execution?

JAEDEN MUSTAF: Like we were just talking about in transition, we're athletic. We're fast. We're big. We can run. So when we create those turnovers and just getting out and pushing and running on our side and try to limit our turnovers and try to limit it as much as we can, yeah, when we get steals and stuff and get out in transition, we're hard to stop. So just keep getting better at that.

Q. Markus, the offense really opened up once you started getting into the lane regularly. How important is it for you and Jaeden to get to the lane regularly to open it up for your teammates basically?

MARKUS BURTON: I just feel like just doing the things that the coaches want us to do. I wouldn't necessarily just say me, I feel like we got a full team of guys that can get in the paint and create for all our teammates.

I feel like for me it's always been who I am. Obviously, Coach preaches on me just making my teammates better. That's what I'm here to do. That's what I'm trying to do.

Q. Markus, when you were introduced, the crowd cheered pretty loud, even if it was your first real home game. Do you think that was the Indiana connection they were recognizing?

MARKUS BURTON: I thought that was really cool. Obviously I'm an Indiana kid, I'm from South Bend. Just hearing the recognition and hearing it, it was a great experience playing in Assembly Hall in front of all those great fans.

Q. Jaeden, Trevor Manhertz didn't come in with a lot of hype or fanfare, but he's kind of emerged over the summer. What have you seen from him in terms of just stepping into a role as a freshman?

JAEDEN MUSTAF: I say every day to some of our coaches he's a pro. To me, he's one of the best freshmen in the country. The more opportunity he gets, the more he's going to show everybody how good he is.