Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: Hoosiers move up in newest Bracketology projections

By Zacarias Olvera

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 19: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers dribbles the ball against Nojel Eastern #20 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Mackey Arena on January 19, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 19: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers dribbles the ball against Nojel Eastern #20 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Mackey Arena on January 19, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Winning the last three games, including two ranked wins over Wisconsin and Michigan State, the Hoosiers are listed as a first four out team in Joe Lunardi’s newest bracketology.

Winning against 21st ranked Wisconsin and completing the season sweep of No. 6 Michigan State have propelled the Indiana Hoosiers back into at-large bid contention. However, Indiana has some work to do in order to get back on the bubble and increase their odds at an at-large bid.

Listed as “first four out” in Joe Lunardi’s newest ESPN Bracketology, moving up from “next four out”, Indiana is joined by TCU, Creighton, and mid-major program St. Mary’s.

Another Big Ten team at risk of being left out of the big dance is Ohio State, who has lost two in a row by a combined 26 points to Purdue and Northwestern.

The top seeds, which have remained fairly consistent for the majority of the season, included top five ranked Duke Blue Devils, Virginia, Gonzaga, and Tennessee. After a close win over unranked Ole Miss, Kentucky slips to a two seed, allowing Tenessee to take the top spot in the region.

The Hoosiers didn’t have the best luck with bubble teams this past week, with high quality wins by Oklahoma and Big Ten foe Minnesota. Oklahoma, which was lacking a signature win heading into the week, beat 13th ranked Kansas at home and Minnesota beat 11th ranked Purdue in a close four point game.

Indiana will need to continue their winning ways in the Big Ten Tournament if they hope to improve their resume that includes quality wins against No. 6 Michigan State (2x), No. 19 Wisconsin, No. 24 Marquette, Louisville, and Butler and no losses outside of Quadrant two.

dark. Next. Hoosiers win third straight with victory over Illinois

Recently breaking down what Indiana would need to do to receive an at-large bid, the Hoosiers took care of step one on Thursday with their win against Illinois.

With one more game left to finish off the regular season conference play, the Hoosiers will look to close the season strong at home when Rutgers comes to Bloomington this Sunday for a noon tip-off before the Big Ten tournament begins next week in Chicago.

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