Indiana fans are feeling the sting as the Hoosiers miss out on the 2026 NCAA Tournament. When the Selection Committee unveiled the tournament field on Sunday, Indiana was notably absent, ranking as the fourth team left out.
The Hoosiers had their chances to make a case for themselves late in the season but couldn't seal the deal. Wins against teams like Illinois, Purdue, Michigan State, or Ohio State would have likely secured their spot, but Indiana faltered in those crucial matchups.
Despite Indiana's absence, the Big Ten is well-represented with nine teams heading to the tournament. Michigan leads the pack with a No. 1 seed, followed by Purdue as a No. 2, and Michigan State, Illinois, and Nebraska all grabbing No. 3 seeds. Wisconsin, UCLA, Ohio State, and Iowa round out the conference's representatives.
Nationally, Duke claimed the overall No. 1 seed, with Arizona, Michigan, and Florida also snagging top spots. The last teams to squeeze into the tournament were North Carolina State, Texas, Miami (Ohio), and SMU.
In Darian DeVries' debut season at the helm in Bloomington, the Hoosiers posted an 18-14 overall record, finishing 9-11 in Big Ten play. They managed some standout victories, toppling Purdue and Wisconsin at home and UCLA on the road. However, they landed as the No. 10 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
Back on February 9, Indiana seemed poised for a tournament run with a 17-8 record and an 8-6 mark in conference play after beating Oregon. But a rough patch followed, as they went 1-6, including two losses to Northwestern.
This year's tournament bubble was particularly soft, with many bubble teams faltering late in the season. Indiana's 3-10 record against Quad 1 opponents left the door ajar, but their hopes were dashed after a second-round loss to Northwestern in the Big Ten Conference Tournament. Northwestern's physical style and sharp execution sealed Indiana's fate.
The Hoosiers have now only reached the NCAA Tournament twice in the past decade. Archie Miller's 2019-20 squad might have broken through if not for the tournament's cancellation, but it wasn't a certainty. From 1985 to 2003, Indiana enjoyed 18 consecutive tournament appearances, a streak that now feels distant.
With the tournament out of reach, DeVries and his staff are turning their attention to rebuilding through the transfer portal. Indiana has already secured commitments from three top-80 prospects: Vaughn Karvala, Trevor Manhertz, and Prince-Alexander Moody.
As six players exhaust their eligibility and potential transfers loom, the Hoosiers have significant work ahead. The transfer portal opens on April 7, marking the start of what promises to be a busy offseason for Indiana basketball.