
Indiana University's basketball team, the Hoosiers, has a rich history in the sport, competing since 1901 and winning multiple championships. The Hoosiers have won five NCAA Championships in men's basketball: in 1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987. The team has also achieved notable success in the Big Ten Conference, winning over 20 championships and making several appearances in the NCAA Tournament. With a strong legacy and a dedicated fan base, the Indiana University Hoosiers have become a well-known name in college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of National Championships | 5 |
| Years of National Championships | 1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987 |
| Number of Big Ten Conference Championships | 20 or 22 |
| Years of Big Ten Conference Championships | 1926, 1928, 1936, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1967, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 2002, 2013, 2016 |
| Number of Final Four Appearances | 8 |
| Years of Final Four Appearances | 1940, 1953, 1973, 1976, 1981, 1987, 1992, 2002 |
| Number of Sweet Sixteen Appearances | 22 |
| Years of Sweet Sixteen Appearances | 1953, 1954, 1958, 1967, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2002, 2012, 2013, 2016 |
| Number of NCAA Tournament Appearances | 41 or 42 |
| Years of NCAA Tournament Appearances | 1940, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1967, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023 |
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What You'll Learn

Indiana University's first NCAA championship
The Hoosiers have a rich history in college basketball, with one of their earliest successes coming in 1926 when they won their first-ever share of the Big Ten Conference title. They have since won 20 Big Ten Conference Championships, which is the second-most in conference history. The Hoosiers have also made eight Final Four appearances and 41 NCAA Tournament appearances, which is among the top ten in college basketball history.
The 1940 championship team was led by All-American Marvin Huffman and set a record at the time with 20 wins. They had a perfect season, going unbeaten in 20 games. This record would stand for 13 years until it was broken again by Indiana in the 1953-54 season. The 1940 team also had a 24-game unbeaten home winning streak from 1938 to 1941.
The Hoosiers' fast-breaking style of play under coach McCracken earned them the nickname the "Hurryin' Hoosiers." McCracken's first IU team was led by All-American Ernie Andres, who later became a basketball assistant under McCracken. In his first year, the team finished with a 17-3 record, splitting games with Purdue and the eventual NCAA runner-up Ohio. McCracken went on to lead the Hoosiers to their first two NCAA championships in 1940 and 1953.
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Indiana's 1953 championship
Indiana University's basketball team, the Hoosiers, has a rich history in college basketball, having competed in the sport since 1901 and winning five national championships. One of these championship wins came in 1953, when the Hoosiers beat Kansas in a thrilling game.
The 1953 Hoosiers team was led by coach Branch McCracken, a former player himself, and guard Bobby 'Slick' Leonard. The team was pretty young, with Jim Schooley as the only senior. Juniors on the team included Leonard, team captain Charlie Kraak, Dick Farley, Jack Wright, Ron Taylor, Lou Scott, and Jim Deakyne. The team was also supported by three-time All-American Don Schlundt, who was a sophomore at the time.
The Hoosiers played an exciting, fast-paced style of basketball, with a focus on ball handling and clever tactics. They were known for their scoring ability, with weapons all over the court. In the 1952-53 season, they scored over 100 points in two games, becoming the first Indiana team to do so. They also had a strong defensive game, with a 24-game unbeaten home winning streak from 1938 to 1941.
The 1953 national championship game against Kansas was a close contest, with the score tied at 68-68 in the final moments. With 27 seconds left, Leonard was fouled and stepped up to take two free throws. He missed the first but made the second, securing the national championship for Indiana. This victory marked Indiana's second national basketball title, with their first coming in 1940 under the leadership of coach McCracken.
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Indiana's three consecutive championships
Indiana University's basketball team, the Hoosiers, have won five national championships. However, these wins were not consecutive.
The Hoosiers won their first NCAA championship in 1940 under coach Branch McCracken. Purdue won the Big Ten title that year but declined the NCAA Tournament bid, so Indiana went instead.
The Hoosiers won their second championship in 1953, again under coach Branch McCracken. This team was led by Bobby Leonard, Dick Farley, and three-time All-American Don Schlundt. They defeated reigning champions Kansas by one point.
The Hoosiers won their third, fourth, and fifth championships in 1976, 1981, and 1987, respectively, under coach Bob Knight. The 1976 team remains the last undefeated NCAA men's basketball champion.
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Indiana's 1987 championship
Indiana University's basketball team, the Hoosiers, has a rich history in the sport, dating back to 1901. The team has won five national championships, including the 1987 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament title.
The 1987 tournament, which began on March 12, featured 64 schools competing in a single-elimination format to determine the national champion. Indiana, under the leadership of renowned coach Bob Knight, emerged victorious in a thrilling final game against Syracuse, coached by Jim Boeheim. The Hoosiers clinched the national title with a narrow 74-73 victory, thanks to a game-winning jump shot by Keith Smart in the final seconds. Smart's heroics earned him the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.
This championship win marked the third national title for coach Bob Knight and solidified Indiana's place in college basketball history. The Hoosiers' victory over Syracuse capped off a remarkable season, as they had also won the Big Ten Conference title and entered the tournament as a No. 1 seed. Their road to the championship included wins over Duke and LSU in the regionals and a classic semifinal game victory over UNLV, which they won 97-93.
The 1987 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament was also notable for the presence of a "Cinderella team". Providence College, led by a then-unknown Rick Pitino, made a surprising run to the Final Four, their first appearance since 1973. The tournament showcased the talent and unpredictability that have made college basketball so captivating, with Indiana University claiming the ultimate prize.
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Indiana's Big Ten Conference titles
Indiana University's basketball team, the Hoosiers, has a rich history in the sport, having competed since 1901 and accruing five national championships. They have also won 20 or 22 Big Ten Conference Championships, the second most in conference history.
The Hoosiers won their first-ever Big Ten Conference title in 1926 under coach Everett Dean, 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.
In 1948, McCracken was responsible for recruiting Bill Garrett, who became the first African American player in Big Ten varsity basketball history. The Hoosiers' 1952–53 NCAA title team won the Big Ten and went on to win the NCAA championship by defeating reigning champions Kansas by one point. The Hoosiers won the Big Ten again the following season in 1953–54.
In the 2001–02 season, the Hoosiers captured a share of the Big Ten championship and made an unexpected trip to the 2002 NCAA championship game under coach Mike Davis.
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Frequently asked questions
Indiana University has won five basketball national championships.
Indiana University won the basketball national championship in 1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987.
Branch McCracken coached Indiana University for their first two basketball national championship wins in 1940 and 1953.
Bob Knight was the coach for Indiana University's last basketball national championship win in 1987.
Indiana University has won 20 or 22 Big Ten Conference Championships.











































