Indiana University’s men’s basketball program is entering the 2026‑27 season with cautious optimism, as analysts project the Hoosiers somewhere between the 20th and 30th spots in the national preseason polls. Jeff Borzello of ESPN placed the team at No. 27 in his top‑25, while The Athletic’s rankings sit at No. 22, Jon Rothstein has them at No. 25, Andy Katz at No. 23, and CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish at No. 21.
A New Era for the Hoosiers
The projection comes despite a roster that returns only one significant contributor from last year: sophomore forward Trent Sisley. The rest of the lineup will be reshaped by a haul of transfers and freshmen, a group that includes six players with notable experience at the high‑major level and a recruiting class that ranks in the top‑20 nationally.
Head coach Darian DeVries, now in his second year at the helm, will use an upcoming tour of Peru to give the new‑look squad a chance to gel on the court and off it. The trip, scheduled for next month, is seen as a critical step in building chemistry before the grind of conference play.
While the talent on paper is undeniable, the team’s ultimate ceiling will depend on how quickly the pieces click. The blend of experienced transfers, a strong recruiting class, and a coach eager to imprint his system could push Indiana well beyond the lower end of the projected range.