Amanda Knapp
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has a rich history of success, with 1,665 overall victories, five NCAA Championships (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987), and 22 Big Ten Conference Championships. The Hoosiers' first coach, James H. Horne, led them to their first victory in 1900-01 with a 26-17 win over Wabash College. The team has had several notable coaches, including Everett Dean, who took the Hoosiers to new heights, winning their first Big Ten Conference title in 1926. The Hoosiers have a well-known rivalry with the Purdue Boilermakers and the Kentucky Wildcats, and their games have attracted dedicated fans since the early 1900s.
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Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team history
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball programme representing Indiana University. Indiana fielded its first men's basketball team in the 1900–01 season, posting a 1–4 record under coach James H. Horne. In their first game, the Hoosiers travelled to Indianapolis and lost to Butler 17–20. Indiana's first victory came later that year, a 26–17 win over Wabash College.
In 1917, the Hoosiers began playing their games at the Men's Gymnasium. After a few games, spectators complained about the opaque wooden backboards, so new backboards with plate glass were installed, allowing fans to see the games without obstruction. As a result, the Hoosiers became the first team in the country to use glass backboards.
The Hoosiers' first great head coach, Everett Dean, was initially a standout player who earned IU's first All-America honours in 1921. Under Dean, the Hoosiers won their first-ever share of the Big Ten Conference title in 1926, defeating Wisconsin 35–20. They also won conference championships in 1928 and 1936. Four All-Americans helped lead the Hoosiers in this era: Jim Strickland, Branch McCracken (later coach), Vern Huffman, and Ken Gunning. Dean coached Indiana until 1938, and he is the only coach named to both the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Branch McCracken, a former player under Dean, succeeded him as coach. McCracken's teams earned the nickname "Hurryin' Hoosiers" due to their fast-breaking style of play. McCracken amassed 364 wins and 210 Big Ten wins during his 23 years as coach. His teams won four regular-season Big Ten titles and went to the NCAA tournament four times, winning two national titles. He was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame, and the court at Assembly Hall is now named in his honour.
The Hoosiers have won 22 Big Ten Conference Championships, the second most in conference history. They have appeared in 41 NCAA Tournaments, with 68 victories, and have made eight Final Four appearances. Indiana's 1976 team remains the last undefeated NCAA men's basketball champion. The Hoosiers have won five NCAA Championships, tying for fourth-most in history.
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IU basketball's most successful coaches
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has had 30 coaches in its 120-season history. Here is a look at some of the most successful coaches in the history of the IU basketball program:
Everett Dean
Dean was IU's first great head coach, initially joining the team as a standout player who earned IU's first All-America honours in 1921. Under Dean, the Hoosiers won their first-ever share of the Big Ten Conference title in 1926, defeating Wisconsin 35–20. The team also won conference championships in 1928 and 1936. Dean coached Indiana until 1938 and is the only coach named to both the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Branch McCracken
McCracken, a former player under Dean, was selected as his successor. His teams earned the nickname "Hurryin' Hoosiers" due to their fast-breaking style of play. McCracken coached IU for 23 years, amassing 364 wins and 210 Big Ten wins. His teams won four regular-season Big Ten titles and went to the NCAA tournament four times, winning two national titles. McCracken was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame, and the court at Assembly Hall is named in his honour.
Bob Knight
Bob Knight's imprint on college basketball, including IU basketball, is undeniable. Knight's former assistants include Mike Krzyzewski and Chris Beard. Knight regularly praised his team managers, who worked long hours behind the scenes, as the "guts of everything we do". Knight's influence extended beyond the court, with former IU manager Lawrence Frank crediting Knight's teachings for his success as an NBA head coach and league executive.
Mike Woodson
While the current coach of the IU basketball team, Mike Woodson, is mentioned in sources, there is limited information on his impact on the team.
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IU basketball's notable wins
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has had many notable wins throughout its history, including several championship titles and victories over highly-ranked opponents.
The Hoosiers won their first-ever share of the Big Ten Conference title in 1926 under coach Dean, defeating Wisconsin 35-20. They went on to win additional conference championships in 1928 and 1936, solidifying their dominance in the conference during that era.
In the 1960s, coach Branch McCracken led the team to significant success. McCracken's teams earned the nickname "Hurryin' Hoosiers" due to their fast-breaking style of play. During his 23-year tenure, McCracken amassed 364 wins, including 210 Big Ten wins. His teams won four regular-season Big Ten titles and made four appearances in the NCAA tournament, claiming two national championships.
In the 2011-2012 season, the Hoosiers achieved a notable feat by knocking off the #1 ranked Kentucky and the #2 ranked Ohio State in the same season, becoming the first Big 10 program to accomplish this since 1991. They also defeated the #5 ranked Michigan State, making them the first IU squad to defeat three top-five programs in the regular season. The Hoosiers finished that season with a 27-9 record and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament.
Overall, the Indiana Hoosiers have won five National Championships in men's basketball (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987), with two titles under McCracken and three under Bob Knight. They have a strong history in the NCAA Tournament, ranking sixth in appearances (41) and seventh in victories (68). Additionally, they have made eight Final Four appearances and are tenth in overall victories. The Hoosiers have also accumulated 22 Big Ten Conference Championships, which is the second-most in conference history.
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IU basketball's notable players
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has had a long and illustrious history, with many notable players having represented the university on the court. Here is a list of some of the most accomplished and well-known IU basketball players:
Everett Dean
A standout player and IU's first head coach, Everett Dean is a true Hoosier legend. He garnered IU's first All-America honours in 1921 and went on to coach the team until 1938, leading them to their first-ever share of the Big Ten Conference title in 1926. Dean is the only coach named to both the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Branch McCracken
A former player under Dean, Branch McCracken became IU's head coach in 1938 and led the team for 23 years. His fast-breaking style of play earned his teams the nickname "Hurryin' Hoosiers". McCracken amassed an impressive 364 wins and 210 Big Ten wins during his tenure. He also won four regular-season Big Ten titles and two national championships. McCracken was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame, and the court at Assembly Hall is now named in his honour.
Ernie Andres
Ernie Andres was an All-American player and a key member of Branch McCracken's first IU team. He later became a trusted assistant coach to McCracken, helping to continue the team's success.
Dick Van Arsdale and Tom Van Arsdale
Twins Dick and Tom Van Arsdale were successfully recruited by McCracken in the 1960s, despite the challenges posed by NCAA sanctions at the time. Both players excelled, earning All-America honours in 1965.
Calbert Cheaney
Calbert Cheaney is the all-time leading scorer for Indiana University, with an impressive 2,613 points. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to have worn the Hoosier uniform.
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IU basketball's main rivalries
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has had several notable rivalries over the years. One of the most well-known is the rivalry with the Purdue Boilermakers, with whom IU has competed for the Old Oaken Bucket in football since 1925. The two schools have the largest campuses in Indiana and are the flagship campuses of their respective university systems. In basketball, IU's 22 Big Ten Championships are second only to Purdue's 24, and the Boilermakers lead the men's basketball series 115–89.
Another intense rivalry for the Hoosiers is with the Kentucky Wildcats. The Indiana-Kentucky rivalry was among college basketball's most heated for decades before its discontinuation following the 2011-12 season. However, in 2023, the rivalry was renewed with a 4-year series, including a game in Indianapolis. The annual basketball game between the two teams often carries national significance, as they have combined for 13 national championships.
The Hoosiers also have a notable rivalry with the Illinois basketball team, with the all-time series currently tied at 85–85, making it the closest series in the Big Ten. The rivalry has been marked by feuds between coaches, including Lou Henson and Bob Knight, and more recently, Kelvin Sampson and Bruce Weber.
Additionally, IU has a rivalry with the Michigan State Spartans, which began in 1950. They battle for the Old Brass Spittoon in football, with Michigan State leading the series 40–13–1.
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Frequently asked questions
IU basketball has won the NCAA Championship five times: in 1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987.
The Hoosiers have won 22 Big Ten Conference Championships.
James H. Horne's record was 1-4.
