With Selection Sunday now less than six weeks out, the picture is starting to come into focus for Indiana basketball - and so far, it’s a promising one. Sitting at 15-7 overall and 6-5 in Big Ten play, the Hoosiers have already exceeded expectations in the first season under head coach Darian DeVries. And while there’s still plenty of basketball left to be played, the early returns suggest Indiana is making a legitimate push toward the NCAA Tournament.
Let’s break down where things stand.
The Resume at a Glance
Indiana’s tournament profile is a mixed bag, but there’s more good than bad. The Hoosiers are 2-6 in Quad 1 games - the kind of matchups that selection committees put under the microscope - but they’ve avoided any damaging losses elsewhere. They’re undefeated in both Quad 3 (5-0) and Quad 4 (7-0) games, which helps keep their floor solid.
They’ve also picked up a key Quad 1 win on the road at UCLA, a double-overtime thriller that not only boosted their metrics but also seemed to shift the tone of their season. That win, combined with a recent victory over in-state rival Purdue, has given Indiana a serious jolt in the eyes of bracketologists.
From a numbers standpoint, the Hoosiers are holding their own:
- NET ranking: 30
- KenPom: 33
- Bart Torvik: 23
- BPI (Basketball Power Index): 25
- Strength of Record: 37
- Wins Above Bubble (WAB): 39
- KPI: 49
These advanced metrics suggest Indiana is not just hanging around the bubble - they’re actively fighting to stay on the right side of it.
What the Bracketologists Are Saying
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had Indiana teetering on the edge in his projection from Friday, January 30, listing the Hoosiers as the final team in the field - a No. 11 seed slated for a First Four matchup against Texas in Dayton. But the win over UCLA changed things quickly. By Saturday night, Lunardi bumped Indiana up to one of the last four teams receiving a bye, a notable shift that reflects the importance of timely wins in February.
Lunardi currently has 11 Big Ten teams in the projected field, underscoring just how competitive the conference has been this season. Indiana’s ability to hold its own in that environment only strengthens its case.
CBS Sports is slightly more bullish. Their latest projection, updated Sunday, February 1, has Indiana slotted as a No. 9 seed, facing No. 8 seed Villanova. That’s a solid mid-tier matchup and a sign that the Hoosiers’ recent résumé boosters are resonating.
Delphi Bracketology also sees Indiana as a No. 9 seed, placing them comfortably in the field. Their first four teams out include Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Seton Hall, and San Diego State - all programs hovering near the bubble, and all teams Indiana is currently outpacing.
HoopsHD, via Jon Teitel, has Indiana as a No. 10 seed, matched up with No. 7 seed Auburn. Again, that’s a respectable pairing and consistent with the general consensus that Indiana is trending in the right direction but still has work to do.
Finally, On3.com projects the Hoosiers as a No. 9 seed, drawing Texas A&M in the first round. That projection also lists UCLA, Miami (FL), Georgia, and New Mexico as the last four byes - giving a clear sense of the bubble landscape Indiana is navigating.
The Road Ahead
With nine regular-season games remaining, Indiana still has opportunities to solidify its spot - or slip back into bubble territory. The Big Ten grind offers plenty of chances for Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins, but it also means there’s little room for error. Every game is a chance to either boost the résumé or take a hit.
So far, DeVries has his team outperforming expectations, playing disciplined, competitive basketball in one of the toughest conferences in the country. If the Hoosiers can keep stacking wins, especially against top-tier opponents, they won’t just sneak into the tournament - they’ll earn their way in with room to spare.
For now, Indiana fans can breathe a little easier. The Hoosiers are in the field - and trending up.