Experts Predict IU Basketball’s 2025-26 Season Outlook

As the Indiana Hoosiers prepare for the 2025-26 basketball season, the team boasts a significant roster of experienced players. The program stands out as the only NCAA Division I team to recruit over ten transfers with more than 30 collegiate starts each.

Under the guidance of head coach Darian DeVries, who has an impressive record of 169-68 over seven seasons, the Hoosiers aim to return to NCAA tournament relevance. Despite his track record, the team has not appeared in the traditional preseason polls, indicating a lower expectation from national analysts.

Preseason Predictions and Rankings

Experts have provided various outlooks on Indiana’s potential this season:

• JAY BILAS – ESPN: Rates the Hoosiers No. 36 nationally and No. 9 in the Big Ten. He noted that DeVries aims to revive the program’s presence in March Madness, highlighting their struggles with only two tournament wins in the past nine seasons.
• JEFF BORZELLO AND MYRON MEDCALF – ESPN: Classify Indiana as a “Dangerous Bubble Team.” With the addition of Tucker DeVries, who followed his father to Bloomington, they expect the Hoosiers to be competitive despite losing several key players.
• CBS SPORTS: Places Indiana No. 11 in the Big Ten. Their analysis points out the Hoosiers’ shooting skills, especially with players like Tucker DeVries and Lamar Wilkerson, while expressing concerns over their interior defense.
• SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Ranks them No. 38 nationally and No. 11 in the Big Ten. They praise DeVries’s modern offensive style and highlight Tucker and Wilkerson as star players.
• FIELD OF 68: Positions Indiana No. 9 in the Big Ten, drawing parallels with teams that faced similar challenges transitioning into the season.
• ANDY KATZ – NCAA: Rates them No. 31 nationally and No. 10 in the Big Ten, focusing on Tucker DeVries’s potential impact.
• JOE LUNARDI – BRACKETOLOGY: Lists Indiana as the first team outside of the NCAA tournament field.

Computer Model Predictions

Various computer models have assessed Indiana’s prospects:

• ESPN BPI: No. 29 nationally and No. 7 in the Big Ten.
• KENPOM: No. 38 nationally and No. 10 in the Big Ten.
• BART TORVIK: No. 40 nationally and No. 11 in the Big Ten.

As Indiana invokes a mix of veteran talent and fresh recruits, their ability to execute in critical situations will be under scrutiny. They must address defensive weaknesses while leveraging their offensive potential to establish themselves in a competitive Big Ten landscape.