Ayrton Oneill
IU basketball, also known as the Indiana Hoosiers, has a long and storied history in college basketball. The team first took to the court in the 1900-01 season and has since produced legendary coaches and players, earning national recognition and multiple championship banners. However, in recent years, the program has struggled to replicate its past successes, leading to questions about its decline and potential path back to the top. With a passionate fan base and a rich heritage, IU basketball remains an iconic part of Indiana's sports culture, striving to reclaim its former glory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First men's basketball team fielded | 1900-01 season |
| First game | Lost to Butler 20-17 |
| First victory | 26-17 win over Wabash College |
| First basketball home | Original Assembly Hall |
| First basketball game at Assembly Hall | February 21, 1901 |
| First great head coach | Everett Dean |
| Longest-serving coach | McCracken (23 years) |
| Most recent head coach | Darian DeVries |
| Number of national championship banners | 5 |
| Number of league titles (1998-2018) | 3 |
| Number of appearances in Big Ten's Final Fours (1998-2018) | 1 |
| Number of appearances in the second weekend of the NCAA tournament (since 1994) | 4 |
| Number of times failing to qualify for college basketball's showcase postseason event (past decade) | 6 |
| Number of NCAA tournament appearances | 4 |
| Number of national titles | 2 |
| Number of Big Ten titles | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
- IU's basketball team has a proud history, including five national championship wins
- The team's iconic red and white striped pants were first worn in the 1970s
- IU's basketball team has had a series of notable coaches, including Bob Knight and Archie Miller
- The team has faced financial difficulties and a period of decline, with a growing distance from college basketball's elite
- IU's basketball program has undergone recent changes, including the hiring of a new head coach in 2021
IU's basketball team has a proud history, including five national championship wins
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has a rich history, with a proud legacy of success on the court. The team has won five national championships, with the first basketball game taking place on February 21, 1901, against Butler, which Indiana lost 24-20. Indiana's first victory came later that year, a 26-17 win over Wabash College.
The Hoosiers have had some notable coaches and players over the years. Everett Dean, Indiana's first great head coach, earned the team's first All-America honours in 1921. In the 1960s, coach McCracken recruited talented twins Dick Van Arsdale and Tom Van Arsdale, who also earned All-America honours in 1965. McCracken amassed 364 wins and 210 Big Ten wins during his 23-year tenure.
The Hoosiers have faced challenges and setbacks, including NCAA sanctions in the 1960s that impacted all varsity sports at the school. Despite this, McCracken led his teams to four regular-season Big Ten titles and four NCAA tournament appearances, winning two national championships.
Indiana has consistently ranked in the top 20 nationally in men's basketball attendance since Assembly Hall opened in 1972, often placing in the top five. The team has iconic red and white candy cane-striped warm-up pants, first introduced in the 1970s by head coach Bob Knight.
While the team has experienced a decline in performance in recent years, with struggles to return to the top, they continue to be a prominent force in college basketball with a proud history.
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The team's iconic red and white striped pants were first worn in the 1970s
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has a rich history dating back to the 1900-01 season. Over the years, they've experienced success, including multiple Big Ten Conference titles and NCAA championships. One unique aspect of the team's identity is their iconic red and white striped pants, which have become synonymous with IU basketball. These distinctive pants were first introduced in the 1970s, adding a unique twist to the team's uniform.
Known affectionately as the "candy stripes," the red and white striped pants made their debut in 1971 when head coach Bob Knight led his first IU squad into the new Assembly Hall. This marked a new era for the team, and the candy stripes became a symbolic part of their uniform design. The design was a tribute to the Harlem Globetrotters, who had popularised striped uniforms, but the IU squad put their own unique twist on it with the red and white stripes.
At the time, the striped pants were in vogue and reflected the fashion trends of the 1970s. However, their popularity and significance extended beyond a mere fashion statement. The pants became an enduring symbol of IU basketball, with players and fans alike embracing them. The stripes were originally exclusive to team members, but licensing agreements eventually allowed the general public to purchase and show their support.
The candy stripes have now become synonymous with IU athletics, adorning the uniforms of not just the basketball team but also the football team and many other athletic teams at the university. The pants have become a staple at games and Indiana basketball events, with fans recognising their unique significance. The design has evolved slightly over the years, but the core concept of the candy stripes has endured, paying homage to the team's history and tradition.
While the exact year of their introduction is noted as 1971, some sources suggest that the stripes may have been inspired by a design created by diving coach Hobie Billingsley, who, along with Counsilman, developed trunks with white panels on the sides and red front and back, featuring a block "IU" logo. This design, which also featured stripes, was implemented in the swimming and diving team's uniforms in the 1950s and led to unprecedented success, with IU winning multiple championships.
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IU's basketball team has had a series of notable coaches, including Bob Knight and Archie Miller
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has a long and proud history, with a series of notable coaches who have led the team to success. One of the most iconic coaches is undoubtedly Bob Knight, who led the team for many years and established a legacy that continues to be felt today. Knight's impact on the team is still evident, with traditions such as the candy cane-striped warm-up pants, first introduced in the 1970s, remaining an iconic part of the team's identity. Knight's coaching produced some of the earliest legends of Indiana basketball, including Quinn Buckner and Scott May. Knight's success at IU and his larger-than-life personality have cast a long shadow over the program, with his influence still shaping the team's culture and traditions.
Following Knight's tenure, the IU basketball team has had several other notable coaches who have continued to build on the team's success. One such coach is Archie Miller, who was hired as the IU head coach in 2017. Miller came to IU with a strong basketball background, having previously coached at Dayton, where he had success with flexible forwards. Miller's first recruiting class at IU included Romeo Langford, elevating the class to the top 10. Miller has earned the respect of Knight, who offered a glowing endorsement of his successor and has maintained a positive relationship with him.
Another notable coach in the history of the IU basketball team is Everett Dean, who was both a standout player and a great coach. Dean garnered IU's first All-America honours in 1921, setting a standard of excellence that has continued throughout the team's history. While Dean's coaching record is not as well-documented as that of Knight or Miller, his impact on the team's early success cannot be overlooked.
The current head coach of the IU basketball team is Darian DeVries, who was hired in 2025. While DeVries has big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of coaches like Knight and Miller, his leadership and impact on the team's future success remain to be seen.
The IU basketball team's success and reputation are built on the foundations laid by these notable coaches. Their contributions have shaped the team's culture, traditions, and on-court achievements, solidifying the team's proud place in college basketball history.
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The team has faced financial difficulties and a period of decline, with a growing distance from college basketball's elite
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has a rich history, with five national championship titles and a strong fan base demanding elite-level success. However, the team has also faced significant challenges, including financial difficulties and a period of decline, which have distanced them from college basketball's elite.
In 2005, Indiana's athletic department reported a deficit of nearly $1 million, and the Hoosiers had been facing financial troubles for much of the previous decade. This had a detrimental effect on the team's ability to attract talented players and keep up with the standards set by other Big Ten schools in terms of facilities and resources. The team's performance suffered as a result, with a decline in their ranking and a growing distance from the top college basketball programs.
The Hoosiers' struggles can also be attributed to a generation's worth of mismanagement, poor decision-making, and a lack of vision. The team's last period of sustained success was under the leadership of Bob Knight, whose final Final Four team in 1991-92 featured a roster of highly talented players, five of whom went on to play in the NBA. However, since then, the team has failed to replicate this level of success, with only sporadic appearances in the NCAA tournament and a lack of league titles.
The hiring of coach Sampson in 2005 was intended to address the team's financial woes and turn their fortunes around. However, Sampson's tenure was mired in controversy, with the NCAA imposing sanctions on the basketball program due to violations. This further damaged the team's reputation and made it even more challenging to attract top talent. Despite the challenges, the Hoosiers have continued to work towards rebuilding their program and regaining their place among college basketball's elite.
The team has made efforts to secure top recruits and rebuild their reputation, with a focus on the 2025-26 season. They have also continued to invest in their facilities, with renovations to the Assembly Hall, and have worked to strengthen their coaching staff. While the Hoosiers have faced financial difficulties and a period of decline, they remain committed to returning to their former glory and competing with college basketball's best programs.
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IU's basketball program has undergone recent changes, including the hiring of a new head coach in 2021
Indiana University (IU) has a rich history in basketball, with its first men's basketball team taking to the court in the 1900-01 season. The team has experienced success over the years, including winning two national titles and producing notable players such as Michael Dean Woodson, who went on to become a professional basketball player and coach.
In recent years, IU's basketball program has undergone some changes, including the hiring of a new head coach. On March 28, 2021, IU hired Michael Dean Woodson, a former IU player, as the head coach of the men's basketball team. Woodson's contract was for six years, with a base salary of $550,000 per year and additional income from marketing and promotions. In his first year as head coach, Woodson led the team to a 21–14 record, including a 9–11 record in Big Ten Conference play. He also helped the team advance to the semifinals of the 2022 Big Ten men's basketball tournament, their first appearance since 2013.
Woodson brought a modern style of play to IU, implementing a four-out-one-in offensive system that highlights versatile athletes. He also embraced the importance of 3-pointers, a shift from traditional basketball strategies. Woodson's coaching philosophy was influenced by mentors such as Bob Knight, Red Holzman, and Larry Brown, emphasizing hustle, accountability, and shared responsibility.
However, on February 7, 2025, Indiana announced that Woodson would be stepping down as head coach at the end of the 2024–25 season. Following Woodson's departure, IU hired Darian DeVries as the new head coach of the basketball program on March 18, 2025. DeVries, an Iowa native, had previously rebuilt the West Virginia basketball program and led them to a successful season despite having only one returning scholarship player. With his extensive experience and proven ability to turn programs around, DeVries is expected to bring positive changes to IU's basketball program.
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Frequently asked questions
Hoosier Hysteria refers to the passion for basketball in Indiana, which started with a heavy interest in the state's famous high school basketball tournaments. The term was popularised by Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, who noticed the sport's popularity in Indiana and remarked, "While the game was invented in Massachusetts, basketball really had its origin in Indiana, which remains the center of the sport."
IU basketball, also known as the Indiana Hoosiers, gained prominence by winning 5 NCAA Championships in men's basketball (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987). The 1976 squad remains the last undefeated NCAA men's basketball champion. The team has also appeared in 36 NCAA Tournaments, winning 62 of them, and has produced many iconic basketball figures, such as Larry Bird.
IU basketball has had numerous achievements over the years. They have won 22 Big Ten Conference Championships and have the best winning percentage in conference games at nearly 60%. They have had 53 All-Big Ten selections, the most of any team. Additionally, they have appeared in 8 College World Series and won the regular-season conference championship 7 times.
IU basketball has two main rivals: an in-state rivalry with the Purdue Boilermakers and a border rivalry with the Kentucky Wildcats. Their rivalry with the Illinois basketball team is also notable, with the all-time series currently tied at 85-85.
IU basketball has had several notable coaches and players. Branch McCracken coached the team for 23 years, winning 364 games and 4 Big Ten titles, and leading the team to 2 national championships. Bob Knight also coached the team to 3 NCAA Championships. Notable players include twins Dick Van Arsdale and Tom Van Arsdale, who earned All-America honors in 1965. More recently, in 2025, Serbian guard Aleksa Ristic became the 12th scholarship player for the team.
