Indiana basketball looks built for a major leap in 2026-27, and ESPN’s latest projection only half-buys into it.
That’s a little surprising, given how much Darian DeVries and his staff changed the roster. Indiana went after size after getting pushed around on the glass in Year 1 of the DeVries era, and they addressed it with SMU transfer Samet Yigitoglu and Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell. Sam Alexis may even be back in 2026-27, too.
The Hoosiers also went hunting for a lead guard, and landed one of the best available in three-year Notre Dame standout Markus Burton. Around him, Bryce Lindsay from Villanova and Darren Harris from Duke bring real shooting punch, while Jaeden Mustaf, who came from Georgia Tech, gives Indiana the kind of transition threat it hasn’t had in years.
Then there’s the freshman class, which was impressive in Peru back in July and gives the roster even more depth. Put it all together and the fit looks strong.
The talent is obvious. The question is how high that can really take Indiana.
ESPN’s Myron Medcalf set the Hoosiers’ floor at the Round of 64, and that part makes sense. With the expanded tournament field and this remodeled roster, Indiana should get back to the NCAA Tournament after spending last season on the bubble. In DeVries’ second year, a step forward feels like the expectation.
But Medcalf also pointed to a possible first-round exit, even if Indiana has a strong season and earns a decent seed.
The ceiling is where things get more interesting.
Medcalf’s projected top end for Indiana is, as he put it, debatable. That’s not because the Hoosiers lack talent.
Bart Torvik’s talent metric has Indiana ranked fourth in the country. The issue is whether DeVries can get all these pieces working together on both sides of the floor.
That answer matters because Indiana’s ceiling is tied directly to its coach. DeVries still hasn’t made an NCAA Tournament as a high-major head coach, though he did reach the Big Dance in three of his final four seasons at Drake.
His teams have usually carried a defensive identity, even when the offense lagged. This group, though, looks ready to score.
With this many weapons, the Hoosiers shouldn’t have much trouble putting the ball in the basket.
Defense is less certain, but the roster has the personnel to be good on that end if DeVries steers it properly.
So where does that leave the postseason ceiling? Not the Round of 32, at least not if Indiana really taps into what this roster can do.
The Hoosiers have enough shooting to catch fire on the right night and enough upside to make things uncomfortable for anyone in front of them. If it all comes together, an Elite Eight run is in play.
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For the Hoosiers, the practical effect is simple: two injured defenders are back in the fold, and the defense suddenly looks deeper because of it. Indiana has been able to bring back Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, a welcome development for a unit that can use every available body as it prepares for the next season. [Read more 🡒]
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Former Hoosiers Are Suddenly Facing Big NFL Camp Stakes
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