Projected Rotations for 2026‑27
Indiana's coaching staff has unveiled three potential starting lineups for the 2026‑27 season, each built around a distinct blend of speed, shooting and defensive versatility. After a 2025‑26 campaign in which the Hoosiers leaned heavily on Lamar Wilkerson and Tucker DeVries yet fell short of the NCAA Tournament, the new configurations aim to maximize the talent that returns to Bloomington.
Indiana enters the offseason with a roster that is both deeper and more versatile than a year ago, giving the staff multiple combinations to test before the first regular‑season game.
Lineup 1: Transition and Slashing
This group leans on Markus Burton and Prince‑Alexander Moody to push the ball up the floor, creating early‑court opportunities. Jaeden Mustaf serves as an ideal hit‑ahead option, while Vaughn Karvala can rim‑run and stretch the floor. Aiden Sherrell adds the ability to run the lanes in transition or act as a drop‑off target in half‑court sets.
Defensively, the unit is described as stellar, with its speed and length allowing it to pressure opponents from the outset.
Lineup 2: Shooting and IQ
Lineup 2 emphasizes shooting, basketball IQ and rim protection. It features Markus Burton alongside Bryce Lindsay, Trevor Manhertz, Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu, providing four reliable shooting threats.
Manhertz’s role as a connector is pivotal; his passing and playmaking IQ help orchestrate the offense while still anchoring the defense.
Lineup 3: Size and Defensive Flexibility
This configuration highlights positional size and defensive versatility. Headlined by Prince‑Alexander Moody, Jaeden Mustaf, Darren Harris, Trent Sisley and Aiden Sherrell, the group can switch everything on the perimeter.
Sherrell anchors the interior, providing a defensive anchor in the paint, while Harris’s three‑point shooting stretches opposing defenses, opening driving lanes for Moody and Mustaf.
Regardless of which starting five the Hoosiers settle on, the breadth of talent across the roster means that opponents will have to prepare for multiple looks. The depth also gives the coaching staff flexibility to adjust mid‑game, a luxury that was absent in the previous season.