Hoosiers' Struggles: Why Indiana Basketball Remains Unranked

why is indiana basketball not ranked

Indiana Hoosiers, the men's basketball team representing Indiana University Bloomington, has had a rich history in NCAA Division I college basketball. With five NCAA Championships, 41 appearances in the NCAA tournament, and 68 victories, the Hoosiers have consistently been a force to be reckoned with. However, in recent years, their performance has been less consistent, and they have failed to maintain a top ranking. While they ended losing streaks against Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois, and advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament, they also suffered a six-year absence from the NCAA tournament and early exits in recent seasons. Indiana's basketball team has the potential to climb back up the rankings, but it will require consistent performance and dedication to return to their former glory.

Characteristics Values
Reason for not being ranked Unclear, but Indiana State was ranked 29th and missed the NCAA tournament
NCAA Division I
Number of NCAA Tournament appearances 41 (sixth-most in NCAA history)
NCAA Tournament record 68–36
Number of National Championships 5 (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)
Number of Big Ten Conference Championships 22
Number of weeks spent ranked No. 1 54 (most recently in 2013)

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Indiana State missed the NCAA tournament despite being ranked 29th

Indiana State finished the 2023-24 season with a 28-6 record, yet they were not selected to participate in the NCAA Tournament. Instead, they were chosen as a No. 1 seed for the NIT (National Invitation Tournament). This decision by the NCAA was largely attributed to Indiana State's non-conference performance and the games they played outside of their conference.

Indiana State was ranked 29th in the NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool), which is the primary ranking metric for the NCAA Tournament. They became the highest-ranked team not to make the tournament since the implementation of the NET ranking system in the 2018-19 season. North Carolina State, ranked 33rd in the NET in 2019, previously held this title.

The exclusion of Indiana State from the NCAA Tournament sparked disappointment among fans and coaches. Oklahoma coach Porter Moser expressed devastation for his players, stating that they possessed a "resume and metrics worthy of being in the field."

Despite their impressive overall record and NET ranking, Indiana State's fate outside the NCAA Tournament bracket underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of the selection process. Factors such as conference performance, strength of schedule, and head-to-head results also play a significant role in the eyes of the selection committee.

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Indiana's 2022-23 season ended 21-14 overall

Indiana Hoosiers' 2022-23 season ended with a 21-14 overall record, marking a notable turnaround for the team. The Hoosiers, representing Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I college basketball, are a storied program with a rich history of success, including five National Championships. However, in recent years, they had experienced a downturn, missing the NCAA Tournament for six consecutive years.

The 2022-23 season, under the leadership of second-year head coach Mike Woodson, saw the Hoosiers break several losing streaks. They ended losing streaks against notable rivals Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois. The Hoosiers also qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016, marking a significant step forward for the program.

During the regular season, Indiana demonstrated their potential with several impressive wins. They started the season strongly, going 7-0 and notching a notable victory over preseason No. 1 North Carolina. However, they suffered a setback in their Big Ten opener, losing to Rutgers, which was their first loss of the season and their sixth straight defeat at the hands of the Scarlet Knights.

Despite this hiccup, the Hoosiers showed resilience and fought hard throughout the season. Star player Trayce Jackson-Davis delivered exceptional performances, including a 20-point, 20-rebound game against Minnesota, becoming the first Indiana player to achieve this feat since D.J. White in 2008. The team also secured a share of 2nd place in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference, advancing to the semifinals before a close loss to Penn State.

While the Hoosiers' overall record of 21-14 may not be indicative of a top-ranked team, their season was marked by ups and downs, close games, and a strong fight. With their return to the NCAA Tournament and several impressive wins, the Hoosiers took significant steps forward, setting a positive tone for future seasons.

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Indiana has won 22 Big Ten Conference Championships

Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team has won 22 Big Ten Conference Championships, the second-most in conference history, behind only Purdue (24 or 26, depending on the source). The Hoosiers have also won five NCAA Championships in men's basketball (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987) — the first two under coach Branch McCracken and the latter three under Bob Knight. In addition, the Hoosiers have made 41 appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament (sixth-most in NCAA history). In those 41 appearances, Indiana has posted a 68–36 record, with 68 victories, the seventh-most in NCAA history.

The Hoosiers have also won post-season tournaments in 1974 and 1979, the Collegiate Commissioners Association Tournament and the National Invitation Tournament, respectively. The 1976 Hoosiers remain the last NCAA men's basketball team to go undefeated in both regular season and postseason play. During Bob Knight's 29 years as head coach, the Hoosiers won 662 games, including 22 seasons of 20 or more wins, a remarkable .735 winning percentage.

In the 1972–73 season, Knight's second year as coach, Indiana won the Big Ten championship and reached the Final Four but lost to UCLA. The following season, 1973–74, Indiana once again captured a Big Ten title. In the next two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, the Hoosiers were undefeated in the regular season and won 37 consecutive Big Ten games, including two more Big Ten championships. The 1974–75 Hoosiers swept the entire Big Ten by an average of 22.8 points per game. The Hoosiers were so dominant that four starters – Scott May, Steve Green, Kent Benson, and Quinn Buckner – would make the five-man All-Big Ten team.

In 2022, the Indiana Hoosiers women's basketball team reached the championship game of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament for the first time in 20 years, defeating top-seeded Ohio State 70-62 in the semifinals.

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Indiana has spent a total of 54 weeks ranked number 1

Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I college basketball. The Hoosiers play at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on the Branch McCracken Court in Bloomington, Indiana, on the Indiana University Bloomington campus. Indiana has won five National Championships in men's basketball (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987), with two coming under Branch McCracken and three under Bob Knight. Indiana's 1976 team remains the last undefeated NCAA men's basketball champion. The Hoosiers are sixth in NCAA Tournament appearances (41), seventh in NCAA Tournament victories (68), tied for eighth in Final Four appearances (8), and 10th in overall victories.

The Hoosiers have won 22 Big Ten Conference Championships, which is the second-most in conference history, behind Purdue (26). Indiana has spent a total of 54 weeks ranked number 1, most recently in 2013. The Hoosiers' five NCAA Championships are tied with Duke for the fourth-most in history, behind UCLA (11), Kentucky (8), and North Carolina and UConn (6). Their eight trips to the Final Four rank eighth on the all-time list. The Hoosiers have made 41 appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the sixth-most in NCAA history. In those 41 appearances, Indiana has posted a 68–36 record. Its 68 victories are the seventh-most in NCAA history.

The Hoosiers also won post-season tournaments in 1974 (Collegiate Commissioners Association Tournament) and 1979 (National Invitation Tournament). As of 2023, the 1976 Hoosiers remain the last NCAA men's basketball team to go undefeated in both regular season and postseason play. Indiana has a rich history in basketball, with a total of 46 players claiming All-American status, 14 of whom earned First-Team All-American. Indiana has recruited 34 McDonald's All-Americans, with the first in 1977 and the most recent in 2024. The Hoosiers posted 87 victories from 1990 to 1993, the most by any Big Ten team in a three-year span, breaking the previous record of 86 set by Knight's Indiana teams from 1974 to 1976.

During this three-year period, Indiana teams spent all but two of the 53 poll weeks in the top 10 and 38 weeks in the top 5. They captured two Big Ten crowns in 1990–91 and 1992–93 and reached the Final Four during the 1991–92 season. In the 1992–93 season, the 31–4 Hoosiers finished the season at the top of the AP Poll but were defeated by Kansas in the Elite Eight. Indiana has experienced success in both men's and women's basketball, with the Hoosiers men's team boasting a rich history of championships and rankings. The Hoosiers women's team has also achieved success, with a strong following and notable players.

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Indiana's 1976 team was the last undefeated NCAA men's basketball champion

Indiana's 1976 team, coached by Bob Knight, remains the last undefeated NCAA men's basketball champion. The team, which featured players like Scott May, Kent Benson, Tom Abernathy, Quinn Buckner, Bob Wilkerson, and Wayne Radford, went on to win the national championship, defeating Michigan 86-68.

Indiana's 1976 season began with a 20-point victory over the defending national champion UCLA Bruins. The Hoosiers were ranked No. 1 all season and finished with a perfect record, a feat that has not been achieved since in NCAA Division I men's basketball. Led by Associated Press Player of the Year Scott May, who averaged 23.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, the 1976 Hoosiers are considered by many to be the greatest college basketball team of all time.

The 1976 Indiana Hoosiers hold a special place in the history of college basketball. Their undefeated season and national championship victory solidified their legacy, and they continue to be celebrated and honoured by the Indiana University community and fans of the sport. The team's success during that season contributed to the rich basketball tradition associated with Indiana University.

The Hoosiers' five NCAA Championships are tied with Duke for the fourth-most in history. Their eight trips to the Final Four further showcase the programme's consistent excellence. Indiana has made 41 appearances in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, posting a 68-36 record. The Hoosiers have also won 22 Big Ten Conference Championships, which is the second-most in conference history.

Since Indiana's perfect season in 1976, several teams have come close to matching their achievement. In 2014, Wichita State went undefeated during the regular season, and Kentucky accomplished the same feat in 2015. However, both teams fell short in the Final Four, unable to replicate the Hoosiers' undefeated postseason run.

Frequently asked questions

Indiana basketball has not been ranked in recent years due to a combination of factors, including losing streaks and tough competition. Indiana ended losing streaks against Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois during Coach Woodson's first season. Indiana's last recorded ranking was in 2013.

Indiana basketball, specifically the Indiana Hoosiers, has a rich history of success. They have won five NCAA Championships (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987), made 41 appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, and have 68 victories, which is the seventh-most in NCAA history. They have also won 22 Big Ten Conference Championships, the second-most in conference history.

Indiana State is currently ranked 29th in NET rankings, making them the highest-ranked team to miss the NCAA tournament. Their quad wins and losses will determine their chances of being selected for future tournaments.

Rankings are influenced by a variety of factors, including strength of record (SOR) and key performance indicators (KPI). Preseason and post-tournament polls are also conducted by the Associated Press (AP) to gauge public perception and team performance.

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