Respect will have to be earned for the Indiana men’s basketball program.
The Hoosiers never made it into the AP top-25 during the 2019-20 season, despite an 11-1 start that included wins over UConn, Florida State and Notre Dame.
Although there are generally higher expectations for the upcoming season, Indiana was left out of the preseason AP top-25 released on Monday.
IU did receive votes, and the Hoosiers are effectively No. 30 according to the poll.
That fast start last season was offset by a 9-11 finish, a closing effort that led to a tie for 10th place in the Big Ten and perhaps some doubt in the minds of the voters.
Seven Big Ten teams were included in initial top-25, including Iowa (5), Wisconsin (7), Illinois (8), Michigan State (13), Ohio State (23), Rutgers (24) and Michigan (25).
The most recent appearance for IU in the AP top-25 was the No. 25 spot on January 14, 2019. Indiana lost 10 of their next 11 that year and haven’t returned to the poll since.
The program was last ranked No. 1 during the 2012-13 campaign.
Indiana is 7th all-time with 560 appearances in the AP poll, which dates back to the 1948-49 season. The Hoosiers made their first appearance at No. 5 in 1950.
The 2020-21 season begins on Nov. 25. Indiana’s schedule has not been announced officially, although that could came later this week.
To see the full AP preseason top-25, GO HERE.
IU Women No. 13 in latest ESPN Poll
The national media is already sold on the prospects for the Indiana women’s basketball program in 2020-21.
Coming off of a record setting 24-8 overall season including a 13-5 mark in the Big Ten, the expectations are high for head coach Teri Moren’s seventh Hoosier season.
ESPN slotted IU in at No. 13 in their latest “way too early” preseason top-25.
Graham Hays had this to say about the IU women:
“There are lofty expectations for a program with two NCAA tournament appearances since 2003. Living up to those expectations starts with the perseverance of sixth-year guard Ali Patberg and the emergence of sophomore backcourt partner Grace Berger. Notre Dame transfer Danielle Patterson isn’t a pure post, but she’s a key addition to a frontcourt that has size but is unproven against top-tier opponents.”
Indiana was the highest rank Big Ten team in the poll, with Maryland (13) and Northwestern (17) close behind. IU was a lock to make its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance in March before the season was canceled.
The women’s season also begins on Nov. 25. Indiana has not released its schedule at this time.
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