The Indiana Hoosiers' basketball team will miss out on the NCAA tournament for the third straight year, a tough pill for fans hoping for a March Madness appearance. Despite finishing the season with an 18-14 record, the Hoosiers didn't make the cut when the 68-team field was announced.
Indiana found itself just outside the bubble, joining Oklahoma, Auburn, and San Diego State as the first four teams left out. Last year, the Hoosiers were similarly close, missing the tournament as the second team out.
Preseason predictions had Indiana pegged to finish 10th in the Big Ten, and that’s exactly where they landed. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to secure a spot in the Big Dance. The Hoosiers also decided against participating in secondary tournaments like the NIT, marking an early end to their 2025-26 season.
The last time Indiana danced in the NCAA tournament was in 2023, when they advanced to the round of 32 under coach Mike Woodson, only to be defeated by Miami (FL) in Albany, New York.
As the offseason kicks off, the team faces significant changes. With six seniors departing and more roster changes anticipated, a major rebuild is on the horizon for coach Darian DeVries in his second year at the helm.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten will be well-represented in the tournament with nine teams making the cut: Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa, UCLA, Purdue, and Wisconsin.
The transfer portal, opening on April 7, presents an opportunity for Indiana to reshape its roster and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.