There's nothing fans of Indiana basketball want more than a March Madness run. The Hoosiers have missed the NCAA Tournament in eight of the last 10 years, which is simply unacceptable in Bloomington. Indiana looked primed to qualify for the tournament in February of last season, but a brutal 1-6 record to close out the campaign ultimately doomed those hopes in disappointing fashion.
Now heading into Year 2 of the Darian DeVries era, Hoosier fans expect more in 2026-27. In an expanded 76-team tournament field, qualifying for the Big Dance may be considered the bare minimum of expectations for DeVries this season. With a loaded transfer portal class, key returners, and extreme potential in the incoming recruiting class, Hoosier basketball fans want to make some serious noise when March rolls around.
A lot has to happen before then, but early bracket projections have already been released on several media outlets. Most notably, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi recently revealed his second predictions for what the 2027 NCAA Tournament field will look like. To my surprise, Lunardi has dropped Indiana's seed and given the Hoosiers an extremely tough draw.
Joe Lunardi projects Indiana as a No. 8 seed in the 2027 NCAA Tournament
In his first 2027 bracketology release back in April, Lunardi pegged Indiana as a No. 7 seed in the South Region. Now, he has changed his tune.
In his updated bracket prediction, Lunardi has the Hoosiers slotted as a No. 8 seed in the East Region. More specifically, Lunardi has DeVries and company facing off against No. 9 Providence in the Round of 64. It's not the biggest drop in the world, but it still significant for several reasons. Most notably, it makes a potential tournament run even more difficult.
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As the No. 8 seed in the East Region, the Hoosiers would have a tough road ahead. If they get past No. 9 Providence, Indiana would then have to face the No. 1 overall seed in the Round of 32. In Lunardi's projection, that comes in the form of the Duke Blue Devils.
Obviously anything can happen in March Madness, and teams get upset all the time. But drawing the No. 1 overall seed in the Round of 32 would be a less-than-ideal spot for the vast majority of teams out there.
Indiana looking to take a big step forward in 2026-27
Over the course of the offseason, the IU roster has been completely revamped with tons of transfer portal talent. Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu give the Hoosiers the size and athleticism at and 4 and 5 positions that they desperately missed last season. Guys like Markus Burton, Bryce Lindsay, Darren Harris, and Jaeden Mustaf give IU's backcourt plenty of experience and scoring prowess.
The incoming freshman class looks promising, as Vaughn Karvala, Prince-Alexander Moody, and Trevor Manhertz were all impressive in the FISU America Games earlier this summer. Add in returners Trent Sisley and Sam Alexis, and the Hoosiers have a well-rounded roster that––at least on paper––puts them in a much better spot than at this point last offseason. Now it's up to DeVries to put it all together.
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