Indiana has the roster to compete atop the Big Ten in Basketball, but they have had the talent in previous years and couldn’t quite get things right. The pressure will be on Head Coach Mike Woodson as the Hoosiers enter the 2024-25 season with arguably the best line-up. The Hoosiers and their fans have high hopes going into the season, and for good reason as they not only added big-time players in their incoming freshman class but also handled business in the transfer portal. Indiana hasn’t been atop the Big Ten since 2016. That was three coaches ago.
Woodson spent his college career in the Crimson and Cream and was a part of several successful seasons under the Legendary Bobby Knight. He hasn’t been able to get the job done despite high expectations. The Hoosiers have made the NCAA tournament twice under Woodson. In the 2023-24 season, they were disappointed as they failed to reach the tournament despite being among the favorites to win the Big Ten. It’s a new year, and the expectations are once again high for Indiana.
Indiana Big Ten Basketball 2024-25 Outlook: Hoosiers Are Stacked
Indiana has been full of talent throughout the Woodson tenure, but for whatever reason they have struggled to get it right. The Hoosiers return three of their top four scorers from last season. The biggest loss for Indiana is seven-footer Kel’el Ware who enter the NBA Draft. Despite his departure, Coach Woodson took advantage of the Transfer Portal and went out and grabbed some of the biggest names available in the portal. Much like they did with Ware before the 23-24 season taking him from Oregon.
According to the Indianapolis Star’s Scott Horner, the Hoosiers have plenty of optimism about being one of the top teams in the Big Ten heading into the new season. A lot of that has to do with the new additions to the roster. With those additions, coach Woodson feels like he can finally run his team like he did in his NBA coaching tenure.
” I’m going to try to play two bigs,” Woodson said,” Just to test it.”
Roster Construction Is Key For Hoosiers Success
Ware is gone but Indiana has plenty of bigs to work with. That includes ex-Arizona Wildcat Oumar Ballo. Ballo wasn’t the only big addition via the transfer portal. The Hoosiers also grabbed Luke Goode from fellow Big Ten foe Illinois.
Goode has showcased his three-point shooting during his time at Illinois. To pair his ability alongside that of senior returning guard Trey Galloway is going to help the Hoosiers. As for what Woodson was talking about with running a two-big scheme is to have Ballo, paired alongside Malik Reneau.
The rest of the Hoosiers roster has plenty of unknowns, but they did bring in one highly regarded freshman. That would be Bryson Tucker who had plenty of high-level offers including Duke, and Michigan State. He long seemed like he could have gone the pro route, but ultimately chose to go to Bloomington. Who can forget the Hoosiers also return former McDonald’s All-American Mackenzie Mgbako, who came along at the end of the season.
The Hoosiers have plenty of impactful players on the roster, and many have some very significant numbers this season. Indiana posted the jersey numbers for this season’s squad on X.
🚨 The 2024-25 lineup has arrived. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/RDk9cfizTJ
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) June 17, 2024
Hoosiers Schedule Has It’s Challenges
Hoosier fans have plenty to look forward to on this season’s schedule. A non-conference tilt with South Carolina in Bloomington could be exciting. Then they will head to the Bahamas during Thanksgiving for the always tough field that tournament presents.
The biggest thing to keep an eye on is Indiana’s Big Ten Slate. Luckily they don’t have to travel to California, as USC and UCLA will both visit Bloomington. They also get home only meeting with other Big Ten favorite Illinois. Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Rutgers will also visit Indiana.
As for their road foes, trips to Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Wisconsin will be difficult. Add in trips to Seattle to play Washington and Eugene to play Oregon.
The Hoosiers get three teams they will see twice, which are Ohio State, Penn State, and rival Purdue. A much closer look at Indiana’s Big Ten Slate was shared via Social Media.
🚨 2024-25 @B1GMBBall match-ups! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/epuaaVOyPL
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) May 1, 2024
Established Roster Gives Hoosiers Legit Chance in Big Ten
Getting a home game against Illinois, plus two games against rival Purdue, makes things favorable for the Hoosiers. Especially with an established roster. The season isn’t here yet, but Coach Woodson and Indiana look like they could finally snap the eight-year Big Ten title drought. It will be interesting to see if Coach Woodson’s two big line-up will work. On paper it should but, the Big Ten isn’t a cakewalk.
