Indiana Men's Basketball: Realistic Resolutions for 2024
With 2023 officially behind us, it is safe to say that everyone has shifted their focus to newer goals and challenges for 2024. In the case of IU's men's hoops team, they have a lot of work to do if they want to re-establish themselves as the powerhouse program of the olden days. It will take an immense amount of hard work and determination to reach that destination, but there are a few simple resolutions that the squad should keep their sights on in 2024 during their pursuit of power.
1. Earn a spot in the 2023-2024 NCAA Tournament
Expecting this team to win the 2023-2024 NCAA championship is a bit far-fetched, but earning a bid on selection Sunday is a much more realistic scenario. Some insiders are skeptical of the Hoosiers chances of getting in as of this current point in time, but those opinions could be swayed with a solid month of January. Following a prolonged tourney drought spanning from the 2016-17 season to the 2020-2021 season, this would mark the third consecutive campaign in which Indiana has put on their dancing shoes.
2. Land at least 1 more major recruit in the Freshman class of 2024
With the extremely talented Liam McNeeley already committed for next season, Mike Woodson has already secured one big time baller to bolster this ball club in 2024-2025. With that in mind, scoring another polarizing prospect for next season would be crucial in the chase for contention. As of the start of the year, the team is still awaiting word on the commitment decision of McNeeley's current Montverde teammate Derik Queen. Queen is a 5-star center with a wide array of skills, and it is truly a tall task to find another big man with more versatility than the Baltimore product.
3. Go undefeated in the 2024 portion of the 2024-2025 season
Stretching beyond the current campaign, the team will need to come out of the gates swiftly come the start of next season. Nobody is mistaking the 2023-2024 Hoosiers for a true championship contender, but that does not mean they cannot build some momentum in that direction leading up to 2024-2025. From there, piecing together an undefeated stretch throughout the 2024 section of next season could be the last straw in altering the public's pessimistic perception of this program.