Indiana basketball is climbing-and not just in the win column.
After starting the season 7-0, the Hoosiers cracked the top 25 in both major national polls released Monday. They sit at No. 19 in the coaches poll and No. 22 in the AP, marking a strong early-season statement as they prepare to open Big Ten play this week.
That opener comes Wednesday night on the road against Minnesota, a team that hasn’t cracked the rankings but still poses the kind of conference test that can trip up even the hottest squads. Indiana’s early schedule has helped them build momentum, but now comes the stretch that will define just how real this start is.
Within the Big Ten, the Hoosiers still have some ground to cover if they want to be considered among the league’s elite. Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, and Illinois are all ranked ahead of them in both polls. That’s a familiar pack of powerhouses, and Indiana’s going to have to prove it belongs in that conversation-especially with some heavyweight matchups looming on the calendar.
And speaking of heavyweights, circle Saturday on your calendar. That’s when Indiana heads to Indianapolis for a showdown with No.
6 Louisville. It’s a marquee non-conference clash, and the kind of game that gives the Hoosiers a shot to make a national statement.
Then, a week later, it’s another blue-blood battle-this time in Lexington against No. 18 Kentucky at Rupp Arena.
That Dec. 13 matchup against Kentucky isn’t just a big game-it’s a revival of one of college basketball’s most storied rivalries. And it’s getting the kind of broadcast treatment it deserves.
ESPN is bringing out the legends for this one: Dick Vitale and Charles Barkley will team up on the call, alongside play-by-play voice Dave O’Brien. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Vitale’s involvement is more than just a nod to nostalgia. He’s long been one of the loudest voices calling for the return of the Indiana-Kentucky series, which once stood as a staple of the college basketball calendar. Now, with both programs ranked and the spotlight shining bright, the rivalry is getting a proper reboot-and Vitale will be right there courtside to witness it.
For Indiana, the next two weeks offer more than just tough games-they’re an opportunity to prove that this early-season surge is no fluke. With a perfect record, rising national respect, and a pair of high-profile matchups on deck, the Hoosiers are stepping into the spotlight. Now it’s time to see if they’re ready to stay there.