For the better part of ten years, and some would say 25, one phrase comes to mind to describe IU basketball.
Soul-sucking.
That because for many, IU basketball is engrained in their soul. It’s part of their identity. It effects their moods. It factors into family budgets. And plans are made around it.
And lately, well, the Hoosiers have sucked. At least based on the program’s historical standard, and the expectations that standard has created for the fans.
Indiana has finished above .500 in the Big Ten just once in the last 10 seasons. That was Trayce Jackson-Davis’ final year with the program in 2022-23 when the Hoosiers finished 23-12 overall, 12-8 in the league (tied for second), and advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. It wasn’t a historic or unforgettable season in the context of what the program has accomplished, but it was certainly fun.
Even if it no longer seems reasonable to expect a historic run like 1975-1987 when the Hoosiers won six Big Ten titles and three national championships, IU basketball is still at the very least supposed to be fun. Right?
There is reasonable hope for a return of fun in 2026-27.
First, let’s consider the schedule that was fully released on Wednesday.
As we learned with the 2015-16 Hoosiers — the last time Indiana won a Big Ten title, and another fun season — it doesn’t hurt to get a little lucky with the conference schedule.
IU has single plays against the three teams widely expected to be the top three in the Big Ten this season — Illinois, Michigan and Michigan State. And more significantly, all three only play at Indiana.
There are other aspects of the schedule that appear to set up favorably.
While IU plays five high major opponents in the 12 game nonconference, four of those games are in the state of Indiana, none are a true road game, and two are on Indiana’s home floor. Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri will all be major challenges, but it could be worse.
In the Big Ten, it’s hard to point to a stretch of games that will be brutal. Of course nothing comes easy in the league, especially on the road, but you don’t see any point that suggests a clear losing streak. The end of regular season five-game run (vs. Purdue, at Wisconsin, vs. Michigan State, vs. Ohio State and at Purdue) will be challenging, but with three of the five at home and Purdue probably not who they’ve been recently, it’s still not overwhelming.
Moreover, all of IU’s biggest home challenges in the Big Ten come when the students are on campus — January 16 vs. Michigan, Jan. 24 vs. Illinois, Jan. 30 vs. UCLA, Feb. 16 vs. Purdue, and Feb. 23 vs. Ohio State.
Meanwhile, Indiana’s two-step West Coast road swing at Oregon and Washington comes when their students are away. And those are two of several very winnable Big Ten road games, including Northwestern, Maryland, Penn State and Minnesota.
It’s not unreasonable at all to look at this 32-game slate and believe the Hoosiers can be north of 20 wins in the regular season.
A 21-23 win regular season? That would at the very least be something approximating fun.
And part of the reason to be optimistic that’s possible is Indiana’s roster.
As we’ve covered previously here, developments over the spring and summer point toward an IU roster capable of competing like a top-25 team.
They’ve got a very good point guard in Markus Burton, Jr.
They’ve got a potential First Team All-Big Ten big man in Aiden Sherrell.
Right there you’ve got two essential ingredients most top teams have.
And they’ve got more proven high major producers in Jaeden Mustaf, Bryce Lindsay, Sam Alexis (yes we know) and Samet Yigitoglu.
They’ve got a potential breakout star in Duke transfer Darren Harris, and a program glue guy in Trent Sisley.
They’ve got legit size in Sherrell, Yigitoglu and Alexis, something sorely lacking a year ago.
And they have a very promising freshman in Prince-Alexander Moody who adds needed backcourt depth.
There is still the matter of Alexis’ eligibility, which seems to change by the minute. It might even change this week as he seeks an injunction in an Indiana court. It’s no small matter, as he can help this team considerably.
This is a roster that is capable of competing in the top third of the Big Ten, and at least capable of competing with anyone, even if they’re not a top-10 caliber team on paper.
Yeah, this could actually be fun.
And IU basketball fans deserve to have a little fun every once in a while.
Right?
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