The Indiana Hoosiers are picking up steam at just the right time. Winners of four of their last five, they’ve begun to turn heads as March looms-and with it, the madness. While they’re not a lock for the NCAA Tournament just yet, Indiana has put itself firmly in the conversation, and the next few weeks offer a golden opportunity to solidify their place in the field of 68.
Let’s be clear: this recent run matters. The Hoosiers have strung together some much-needed wins, and that momentum has lifted them to 33rd in the NCAA’s NET rankings-a key metric used by the tournament selection committee. That number alone doesn’t punch their ticket to the Big Dance, but it puts them in a strong position with time left to build on it.
The challenge now? Finish strong.
Indiana’s remaining schedule includes matchups with three nationally ranked teams, plus a Big Ten Tournament that could swing things in either direction. First up is a home game against Oregon, a team that’s struggled this season and sits well outside the tournament picture at 111 in the NET.
That’s a must-win. Lose it, and the margin for error shrinks dramatically.
Win it, and Indiana can shift focus to the real résumé-builders ahead.
Here’s what’s on deck after Oregon:
- Feb. 15 at Illinois (NET 4)
- Feb. 20 at Purdue (NET 10)
- Feb. 24 vs. Northwestern (NET 79)
- March 1 vs. Michigan State (NET 12)
- March 4 vs. Minnesota (NET 86)
- March 7 at Ohio State (NET 40)
That’s a gauntlet, but it’s also a chance. Games against Illinois, Purdue, and Michigan State are all Quad 1 opportunities-exactly the kind of wins that can move the needle in the eyes of the committee.
As of now, Indiana is 2-7 in Quad 1 games. Improving that mark would go a long way toward locking down an at-large bid.
The bracketologists are starting to take notice. Some projections have Indiana slotted as a No. 9 or 10 seed, hovering around the “last four byes” territory.
Others place them even closer to the bubble, alongside Big Ten rivals like UCLA, Ohio State, and Wisconsin-all of whom are also fighting for tournament life. In fact, based on NET rankings alone, Indiana (33rd) is in a better spot than UCLA (38th), Ohio State (40th), Wisconsin (43rd), and USC (48th).
That’s encouraging, but again, nothing is guaranteed.
Selection Sunday is set for March 15, when the full 68-team field will be revealed. Thirty-one teams will earn automatic bids by winning their conference tournaments.
The remaining 37 spots? That’s where teams like Indiana live-scrapping for every win, every metric, every inch of separation from the bubble.
And if the Hoosiers can navigate this stretch and punch their ticket, they’ll be dreaming of a trip back home. The 2026 Final Four is set for April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It’s a long road to get there, but for Indiana, the path is still open-and the next few games will tell us just how far they might go.