What Happened to Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball program?
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball program has undergone significant changes in recent years, marked by a coaching transition from Mike Woodson to Darian DeVries in 2025. Despite efforts to rebuild through the transfer portal, the team has missed the NCAA Tournament for three consecutive seasons (2024, 2025, 2026) and is currently navigating a period of extensive roster turnover and eligibility challenges for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Quick Answer
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball program is currently under the leadership of head coach Darian DeVries, who took over in March 2025 after Mike Woodson's retirement. The team finished the 2025-26 season with an 18-14 record and missed the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year, declining other postseason invitations. As of August 2026, the program has largely rebuilt its roster through transfers and freshmen for the 2026-27 season, though key player Sam Alexis's eligibility is currently in question due to a court ruling.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Mike Woodson receives $1 Million Annual Raise
After leading the Hoosiers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, head coach Mike Woodson received a $1 million annual raise, bringing his average annual salary to $4.2 million.
Hoosiers Miss NCAA Tournament
Indiana finished the season with a 19-14 overall record and 10-10 in the Big Ten Conference, failing to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
Mike Woodson Announces Retirement
Indiana University Athletics announced that head coach Mike Woodson would step down at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
Darian DeVries Hired as Head Coach
Following Mike Woodson's departure, Darian DeVries was hired as the new head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball program.
Woodson Era Ends with Another Missed NCAA Tournament
Mike Woodson's final season concluded with a 19-13 record (10-10 Big Ten), and the Hoosiers missed the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year.
Hoosier Hoops on Kirkwood Replaces Hoosier Hysteria
The traditional 'Hoosier Hysteria' event was replaced by 'Hoosier Hoops on Kirkwood,' a block party on Kirkwood Avenue, to kick off the 2025-26 season.
Trevor Manhertz Commits to 2026 Class
Four-star forward Trevor Manhertz committed to Darian DeVries' 2026 recruiting class, signaling a focus on high school recruiting.
Lost to Northwestern in Big Ten Tournament
The Hoosiers fell to Northwestern 74-61 in the Big Ten Tournament, contributing to their late-season struggles.
Missed 2026 NCAA Tournament, Declined Postseason Invites
Indiana was left out of the 2026 NCAA Tournament field, marking the third consecutive year. The team also announced it would not participate in any other postseason tournaments.
Trevor Manhertz Signing Officially Announced
Indiana officially announced the signing of Trevor Manhertz, a key recruit for the 2026 class, following earlier commitments.
2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule Released
The Indiana men's basketball program released its full 2026-27 non-conference schedule, featuring matchups against Eastern Illinois, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
Sam Alexis Ineligible for 2026-27 Season
Fifth-year senior forward Sam Alexis, a key returner, was ruled ineligible for the 2026-27 season after the Tennessee Court of Appeals stayed an injunction that had previously made him eligible.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball program, a storied institution with five national championships, has faced a challenging period in recent years, struggling to consistently return to national prominence. Under former player and head coach Mike Woodson, who was hired in March 2021, the program aimed for a resurgence. Woodson led the Hoosiers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2023, and in August 2023, he received a $1 million annual raise on his contract, reflecting initial optimism.
However, the 2023-24 season saw a decline, with the Hoosiers finishing 19-14 overall and 10-10 in the Big Ten, missing the NCAA Tournament. This performance, coupled with concerns about recruiting efforts, led to increased pressure. On February 7, 2025, Indiana Athletics announced that Woodson would retire at the end of the 2024-25 season. His final season concluded with a 19-13 record (10-10 Big Ten), and another missed NCAA Tournament bid, marking the end of the Woodson era.
In March 2025, Darian DeVries was appointed as the new head coach, tasked with revitalizing the program. His arrival prompted a significant roster overhaul, as nearly all scholarship players with remaining eligibility entered the transfer portal. DeVries had to build his first team largely from scratch, relying heavily on transfers. The 2025-26 season, DeVries's debut, saw the Hoosiers finish with an 18-14 overall record and 9-11 in Big Ten play, placing 10th in the conference. Despite a promising 17-8 start, the team lost five of its last six regular-season games and fell to Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament. On March 15, 2026, Indiana officially missed the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year and declined invitations to other postseason tournaments, concluding DeVries's first season.
As of August 27, 2026, the program is in a state of transition and rebuilding for the 2026-27 season. The Hoosiers have once again seen a massive roster flip, with 11 departing players and the addition of seven incoming transfers and four freshmen. A significant development is the current ineligibility of fifth-year senior forward Sam Alexis, who was set to return but is now ineligible following a Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling. The team has released its 2026-27 non-conference schedule, which includes matchups against Arkansas and Kentucky, as DeVries aims to lead Indiana back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball program made different choices?