Ayrton Oneill
Indiana's basketball team, the Hoosiers, has had a long and illustrious history, with several championship wins. The team first formed in the 1900-01 season, and their first victory was a 26-17 win over Wabash College. The Hoosiers went on to win their first Big Ten Conference title in 1926, and have since added several more conference championships to their name. The team has also won two national titles and has appeared in the NCAA tournament multiple times. While the Hoosiers have had their fair share of successes, they have also faced setbacks, such as being left out of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. With a new coach, Darian DeVries, the team hopes to make a comeback and reclaim their spot as a powerhouse in men's college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First men's basketball team fielded | 1900-01 season |
| First game | Lost to Butler 17-20 |
| First victory | 26-17 win over Wabash College |
| First coach | James H. Horne |
| First great head coach | Everett Dean |
| First All-America honors | 1921 |
| First Big Ten Conference title | 1926 |
| Number of Big Ten Conference titles | 5 |
| Number of NCAA titles | 2 |
| Number of national titles | 2 |
| Number of regular-season Big Ten titles | 4 |
| Number of NCAA tournament appearances | 4 |
| Number of games won under Branch McCracken | 364 |
| Number of Big Ten wins under Branch McCracken | 210 |
| Year of most recent NCAA tournament appearance | 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
Indiana Hoosiers' history of winning college basketball championships
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has a rich history of winning college basketball championships. The team first took to the court in the 1900-01 season, but it wasn't until the 1920s that they started to see real success. Under the leadership of coach Everett Dean, the Hoosiers won their first-ever share of the Big Ten Conference title in 1926, defeating Wisconsin 35-20. The Hoosiers added more conference championships to their name in 1928 and 1936, with the help of four All-Americans: Jim Strickland, Branch McCracken, Vern Huffman, and Ken Gunning.
In 1938, Branch McCracken took over as head coach, and in 1940, he led the Hoosiers to their first NCAA national championship. They beat Kansas 60-42, with a standout performance by Most Outstanding Player Marvin Huffman. This win marked the beginning of a dynasty, as the Hoosiers went on to win four more national championships in the following decades.
McCracken's fast-breaking style of play earned his teams the nickname ""Hurryin' Hoosiers." During his 23-year tenure, the Hoosiers amassed an impressive record of 364 wins and 210 Big Ten wins. Under McCracken, the team won four regular-season Big Ten titles and appeared in the NCAA tournament four times, taking home two national championships.
The Hoosiers continued their winning ways in the 1950s, claiming back-to-back conference championships in the 1956-57 and 1957-58 seasons. This success was driven by the leadership of two-time All-American Archie Dees. The Hoosiers also boasted one of the few African-American players in college basketball at the time, Walt Bellamy, who was a two-time All-American himself.
The Hoosiers added more NCAA Championships to their tally in 1976, 1981, and 1987, with the latter three coming under the guidance of coach Bob Knight. The 1976 team remains the last undefeated NCAA men's basketball champion.
In total, the Indiana Hoosiers have won five NCAA Championships in men's basketball (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987), tying them with Duke for the fourth-most in history. They have also secured 22 Big Ten Conference Championships, the second-most in conference history.
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Indiana's first men's basketball team
In the early years, the Hoosiers played their home games at the Men's Gymnasium, moving into the facility in 1917. This venue was notable for introducing glass backboards, addressing spectator complaints about the previous opaque wooden backboards that obstructed their view. The Hoosiers were the first team in the country to play with glass backboards.
The Hoosiers' early success laid the foundation for the program's future glory. In 1924, Everett Dean, a former standout player who earned IU's first All-America honours in 1921, became the full-time head coach. Under Dean's guidance, the team elevated their performance, claiming their first-ever share of the Big Ten Conference title in 1926 with a decisive 35–20 victory over Wisconsin. Dean's tenure, which lasted until 1938, was marked by additional conference championships in 1928 and 1936, and he is revered as IU's first great head coach.
Following Dean's departure, the coaching reins were passed to Branch McCracken, a former player under Dean known for his fast-breaking style of play. McCracken's teams earned the nickname "Hurryin' Hoosiers." In his inaugural year, McCracken steered the Hoosiers to a remarkable 17–3 record, setting the stage for future triumphs.
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Indiana Hoosiers' head coaches
The Indiana Hoosiers basketball team has had a number of notable head coaches throughout its history, with varying levels of success. Here is an overview of some of the prominent head coaches:
Everett Dean (1924-1938)
Dean was Indiana's first great head coach and played for the university as a standout player, earning IU's first All-America honours in 1921. He became the full-time head coach in 1924 and led the Hoosiers to their first-ever share of the Big Ten Conference title in 1926. During his tenure, the Hoosiers also won conference championships in 1928 and 1936. Dean is the only coach named to both the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Branch McCracken (1938-1945, 1946-1965)
McCracken, a former player and assistant coach under Dean, took over as head coach in 1938. In his first year, the team finished with a 17-3 record. The following year, the 1939-1940 season, the Hoosiers won the NCAA title with a record of 20-3. During McCracken's long tenure, the Hoosiers won four regular-season Big Ten titles and appeared in the NCAA tournament four times, winning two national championships. He amassed 364 wins and 210 Big Ten wins. McCracken was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame, and the court at Assembly Hall is named in his honour.
Lou Watson (1965-1971)
Sandwiched between two iconic coaches, Branch McCracken and Bob Knight, Watson served as head coach for six seasons. His 1966-67 team won a Big Ten championship and was known as the "Cardiac Kids" due to their thrilling finishes. Watson ended his Indiana coaching career with a 61-60 record.
Bob Knight (1971-2000)
One of the most well-known and successful coaches in college basketball history, Bob Knight had a legendary tenure with the Indiana Hoosiers. Under his guidance, the Hoosiers won the 1976 NIT Tournament and numerous conference titles. Knight's teams were known for their disciplined style of play and intense defence. During his time at Indiana, Knight also coached future NBA players and Hoosier legends such as Isiah Thomas and Michael "Mike" Woodson, who played under Knight from 1976 to 1980. Woodson, a junior team captain, won a gold medal as captain of the US basketball team at the 1979 Pan American Games. Knight's impact on the programme is undeniable, and he is revered for establishing a culture of success and a strong foundation for the team's future achievements.
Mike Woodson (2021-2025)
A former Hoosier himself, Woodson took over as head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team in 2021. In his first season, he led the team to a 21-14 record and advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 Big Ten men's basketball tournament. The following season (2022-23), the Hoosiers finished 23-12 overall and ranked in the top 25 in both major polls. Woodson developed future NBA players Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino during his tenure. On February 7, 2025, Woodson announced he would step down as head coach at the end of the 2024-25 season.
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Indiana Hoosiers' notable players
The Indiana Hoosiers have had many notable players over the years. The team first fielded a men's basketball team in the 1900-01 season, playing their first game in Indianapolis against Butler, which they lost 17-20.
One of the most notable players from the early years of the team was Everett Dean, who was both a standout player and the team's coach. Dean garnered the Hoosiers' first All-America honours in 1921 and went on to coach the team until 1938, leading them to their first Big Ten Conference title in 1926. During his time as coach, four players helped the Hoosiers to multiple conference championships: Jim Strickland, Branch McCracken (who would later become the team's coach), Vern Huffman, and Ken Gunning.
Another notable player for the Hoosiers was Archie Dees, a two-time All-American who led the team to back-to-back conference championships in 1956-57 and 1957-58. Walt Bellamy was also a two-time All-American for the Hoosiers and one of the few African-American players in college basketball at the time.
In 1948, coach McCracken recruited Bill Garrett, who became the first African American player in Big Ten varsity basketball history. The Hoosiers' 1952-53 NCAA title team included three-time All-American Don Schlundt, who led the team to the NCAA championship, defeating reigning champions Kansas by one point.
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Indiana Hoosiers' recent performance
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has a long and storied history, with some impressive performances over the years.
The team's first season was in 1900-01, and they posted a 1-4 record under coach James H. Horne. They lost their first game but secured their first victory the same year, beating Wabash College 26-17. The Hoosiers began playing at the Men's Gymnasium in 1917, and it was here that they became the first team in the country to use glass backboards, solving the issue of opaque wooden backboards obstructing the spectators' view.
The Hoosiers' first notable success came under coach Everett Dean, who led the team to their first-ever share of the Big Ten Conference title in 1926. Dean coached Indiana until 1938, and his successor was Branch McCracken, a former player under Dean. McCracken's teams earned the nickname "Hurryin' Hoosiers" due to their fast-breaking style of play. In his first year, the team finished 17-3, and the following year, they won the 1939-40 NCAA title with a record of 20-3.
The Hoosiers continued to find success in the following decades, winning the Big Ten Conference again in 1953-54 and achieving back-to-back conference championships in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under the leadership of two-time All-American Archie Dees. In 1960, however, the Indiana Hoosiers football program was hit with NCAA sanctions that impacted all varsity sports, including basketball. Despite this setback, McCracken successfully recruited talented players, and his teams won four regular-season Big Ten titles and two national titles during his 23-year tenure.
The Hoosiers' most recent recorded performance was a victory against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on December 14, 2024, with a final score of 82-67.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Indiana won the NCAA championship in 1940.
Yes, Indiana won the NCAA championship in 1953.
Yes, Indiana won the NCAA championship in 1976.
Yes, Indiana won the NCAA championship in 1981.
Yes, Indiana won the NCAA championship in 1987.
