Indiana University’s men’s basketball program has not signed a true center out of high school since Logan Duncomb committed in 2020, a gap that has forced the Hoosiers to lean heavily on transfers to fill the paint.
Duncomb’s own journey illustrates the volatility of the position: after a promising start with the Hoosiers, he moved on to Xavier, then Winthrop, and finally landed at Notre Dame, leaving Indiana without a home‑grown big man to anchor the roster.
The Coaching Crossroads
Under Mike Woodson, Indiana prized experienced interior players, but when Darian DeVries took the helm, his offensive scheme emphasized perimeter play and guard‑driven motion, further sidelining traditional centers.
The ripple effect has been clear: the team has not returned to the NCAA Tournament since 2023, and the lack of a steady post presence has shown up in close games where rebounding and rim protection were missing.
Nevertheless, the program is not without hope. The incoming recruiting class features guard Chase Branham, a top‑30 prospect who could bring a new spark, while the administration is already scouting potential big men for the class of 2027.
Other Big Ten schools have capitalized on Indiana’s backyard, landing high‑school centers at Michigan State, Nebraska and beyond, underscoring the competitive disadvantage the Hoosiers face in retaining local talent.
If Indiana can blend its rich basketball heritage with a renewed focus on developing home‑grown big men, the path back to national relevance may finally open.