Indiana is spending big enough to sit near the top of college basketball’s money game, even if the Hoosiers didn’t crack the highest tier.
A new CBS Sports report pegs Indiana’s 2026-27 roster spending at just under $20 million, placing the program in a second tier of investment that also includes Arkansas, Kansas and Connecticut. CBS says 11 programs are in the top tier, each spending more than $20 million on its roster.
That still puts Indiana in rare company. CBS said the Hoosiers are one of only two teams that comfortably rank in the top 15 in spending but are not in the preseason AP Top 25. North Carolina, under a first-year coach, is the other.
“Indiana was a big spender ahead of a big second season for (coach) Darian DeVries, but despite many a Big Ten foe believing otherwise, IU did not hit the $20 million mark. Will the investment pay off with a team worthy of Top 25 status more weeks than not this season?
The Hoosiers are one of only two teams that comfortably rank in the top 15 in spending but are not ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. (North Carolina, under a first-year coach, is the other.)”
CBS said it used more than 100 sources over several weeks to estimate roster spending for 79 power conference teams and Gonzaga. The report bases its figures on each team’s current roster and the players’ maximum earning potential.
The numbers are up across the sport. CBS put the average roster cost for a power conference team this season at $13.5 million, a major jump from about $7 million last season. The average Big Ten team is at $12.7 million, below the SEC and Big East but above the Big 12 and ACC.
CBS also noted that the totals can still move because fifth-year players currently eligible to play are counted, and end-of-season incentives could alter the final number.
Indiana’s roster list for 2026-27 features a blend of returners and newcomers, including Trevor Manhertz, Darren Harris, Bryce Lindsay, Jaeden Mustaf, Sam Alexis, Markus Burton, Prince-Alexander Moody, Drew Snively, Trent Sisley, Justin Monden, Jordan Rayford, Clemens Sokolova, Samet Yigitoglu, Aiden Sherrell, Vaughn Karvala, Ian Stephens and Ben Winkler.
The Hoosiers have already put two exhibition games in the books, beating Butler 96-68 on Oct. 11 and North Carolina 76-58 on Oct. 17. Their exhibition schedule continues Oct. 25 against Western Kentucky in Evansville.
Indiana opens the regular season Nov. 2 against Eastern Illinois, then moves through a November that includes Bellarmine, Syracuse in Indianapolis, Tennessee Tech, Arkansas in New York and Kentucky in Indianapolis. The Big Ten slate features home dates with Maryland, Michigan, Illinois, UCLA, Northwestern, Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State, along with road trips to Iowa, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, Nebraska, Maryland, Wisconsin and Purdue.
The Big Ten Tournament is set for March 9-14 in Indianapolis.
In Other News...
Ryan Day Is Still Complaining About How Indiana Defended Jeremiah Smith
Curt Cignetti had plenty to point to after Indianas narrow loss to Ohio State, especially the way the Hoosiers handled Jeremiah Smith. On his weekly radio show, Cignetti credited the defensive plan for keeping the standout receiver in check, noting the mix of double teams and pressure on the quarterback that helped limit Smith to a season-low 68 yards.
Ryan Day, for his part, acknowledged the challenge Indiana presented but still came away sounding irritated by the way the game was officiated. On his own weekly radio show after Ohio States 19-15 win over Indiana, Day said he felt Smith was impacted by uncalled penalties, adding another layer to a game that already drew plenty of attention for how the Hoosiers defended one of college footballs most dangerous targets. [Read more 🡒]
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For Indiana, the opening may be there if it can exploit the Wolverines uncertainty while also finding a little more balance of its own. Both teams have had issues getting their rushing and passing games where they want them, so the margin could come down to which defense holds up better, with Isaiah Jones anchoring Indiana and Troy Bowles leading Michigan. The setup leaves plenty of room for one side to seize control early, and plenty of reason to think this one could turn on a small handful of plays. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Has Two Growing Concerns Before Michigan
Indianas unbeaten run is gone, but the bigger issue coming out of the Ohio State loss was how uneven the Hoosiers looked in the areas that usually travel well in November. There were bright spots to point to, especially Amare Ferrells interceptions on defense and Charlie Beckers production in the passing game, yet the overall picture still left the kind of questions that tend to linger when a top team takes a hit.
The running game never quite found enough traction, and that matters even more with Michigan next on the schedule. So does the kicking situation, after Nico Radicic missed field goals in the loss. Indiana has enough good tape to keep confidence intact, but the Hoosiers also have a couple of clear fixes to sort out before the next test arrives. [Read more 🡒]