Big Ten Basketball: Can Indiana Hoosiers Make a Deep Run in the NCAA Tournament?

The Indiana Hoosiers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 19-14 season, and with a slew of new additions through the transfer portal, they’re poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Coach Mike Woodson looks on during a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers

After NCAA Tournament appearances in his first two seasons, coach Mike Woodson’s Hoosiers had a disappointing 19-14 campaign in year three. However, Woodson retained three key starters and added six newcomers, moves that have the Hoosiers tabbed as a consensus top-25 team entering the 2024-25 season.

Who’s In, Who’s Out

The Hoosiers lost CJ Gunn, Kaleb Banks, and Payton Sparks to transfer, while Kel’el Ware, Xavier Johnson, and Anthony Walker departed for the NBA or graduated. On the flip side, they gained Myles Rice, Oumar Ballo, Kanaan Carlyle, Langdon Hatton, Luke Goode, and Bryson Tucker through the transfer portal and freshman recruitment.

Reasons for Optimism

Indiana’s transfer portal haul is ranked top three nationally by On3 and 247Sports, and the class fills a variety of needs. Most importantly, Indiana’s guard play – its biggest shortcoming last season – should be much-improved with the addition of Pac-12 Freshman of the Year point guard Myles Rice and combo guard Kanaan Carlyle. Indiana also landed Arizona 7-footer Oumar Ballo, the top-ranked transfer in the nation, per On3.

“Indiana’s transfer portal haul is ranked top three nationally by On3 and 247Sports, and the class fills a variety of needs.” Big Ten Offseason Evaluation

Biggest Concerns

Did Indiana fully address its 3-point shooting woes from last season? It should definitely be better than its 32.4% in 2023-24 – ranking 12th in the Big Ten and 273rd nationally out of 363 teams – but how much is uncertain. Indiana landed 6-foot-7 Illinois transfer Luke Goode, a 38.8% 3-point shooter on 219 career attempts across three seasons.

Aside from transfers, Indiana will hope Mackenzie Mgbako’s 32.7% 3-point shooting as a freshman goes up a tick and that Galloway is closer to the 46.2% he shot as a junior, compared to just 26% last season. Cupps (35.9%) and Leal (47.4%) were capable last season, but their roles could be diminished with Rice and Carlyle transferring in.

The Bottom Line

Indiana looks like a top-25 roster and an NCAA Tournament team right now, at minimum. It has a far more talented group than last season, especially at the guard position. And though it lost Kel’el Ware to the NBA, Ballo will be one of the top centers in college basketball next season. If the 3-point shooting improves and Woodson figures out the right mix with his new roster, this team will contend for a Big Ten title and a second-weekend appearance in the tournament.

 Ballo in action during his time at Arizona