The Indiana Hoosiers are skating on thin ice as they approach the NCAA Tournament, and their recent performances haven't done them any favors. Darian DeVries' squad has faced tough losses in their last two Big Ten matchups, falling to powerhouse teams Illinois and Purdue. Both games were on the road, and losing by over 20 points each time has left Indiana with a concerning 2-10 record against Quad 1 opponents.
Following their defeat by Purdue, which dashed hopes of a season sweep, the Hoosiers have seen their tournament prospects take a hit. ESPN's Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi has dropped Indiana from a No. 9 seed to a precarious No.
- They're now just barely avoiding the First Four, edging out teams like Missouri, Santa Clara, TCU, and New Mexico for a spot in the Round of 64.
Indiana isn't alone in its struggles; traditional powerhouse Kentucky has also stumbled, dropping from a No. 6 to a No. 8 seed after a three-game losing streak. For Indiana, being so close to the First Four is a wake-up call. Let's explore why they've slipped and what they need to do to secure their tournament spot.
Despite a solid NET rating of 36, Indiana's poor record against top-tier teams is dragging them down. Their only Quad 1 victories are a narrow five-point win over Purdue at home and a one-point triumph at UCLA. While they boast an undefeated 15-0 record against non-Quad 1 teams, that alone might not be enough to secure a tournament berth.
Currently sitting at 17-10 overall and 8-8 in Big Ten play, Indiana faces a critical stretch. The Big Ten is notoriously competitive, and a win against either Michigan State at home or Ohio State on the road could significantly bolster their tournament chances. Conversely, a loss to Northwestern (Quad 3) or Minnesota (Quad 2) could be disastrous.
The silver lining for Indiana is their clean record against Quad 2 and 3 teams this season. If they finish the regular season at 19-12 overall and 10-10 in conference play, the question remains whether they need a win in the Big Ten Tournament to ensure a spot in March Madness. As it stands, their tournament bid is vulnerable to being snatched by a team from another conference.
Securing 20 wins in the regular season would likely solidify their place in the tournament, but the Hoosiers need to step up in these final games to avoid any last-minute surprises.