IU basketball is a consensus top-20 program going into the 2024-25 season.
The Hoosiers are ranked No. 18 in the preseason coaches poll released on Wednesday. They were ranked No. 17 in the preseason AP Poll released last week.
Mike Woodson’s fourth IU squad appears to be his most talented. All five of his projected starters (Oumar Ballo, Malik Reneau, Mackenzie Mgbako, Kanaan Carlyle and Myles Rice) received some measure of conference-level recognition following the 2023-24 season. And he’ll have proven veterans off the bench such as Trey Galloway and Luke Goode, along with McDonald’s All-American freshman Bryson Tucker.
The voting by the coaches was similar to the AP Poll, with Purdue leading the way from the Big Ten at No. 13. The Boilermakers were No. 14 according to the AP. UCLA is No. 22 in both polls. The coaches placed Illinois at No. 24 and left out Rutgers. Illinois was not ranked by the AP and Rutgers was No. 25 according to the AP.
Maryland and Wisconsin all also received votes from the coaches.
Indiana plays their first preseason exhibition on Sunday against No. 12 Tennessee in Knoxville.
Preseason Coaches Poll Top 25:
1. Kansas (15)
2. Alabama (6)
3. UConn (6)
4. Houston (4)
5. Duke
6. Iowa State
7. Gonzaga
8. Baylor
9. Arizona
10. North Carolina
11. Auburn
12. Tennessee
13. Purdue
14. Creighton
15. Texas A&M
16. Arkansas
17. Marquette
18. Indiana
19. Texas
20. Cincinnati
21. Florida
22. UCLA
23. Kentucky
24. Illinois
25. Ole Miss
Others receiving votes: Texas Tech 60; Rutgers 57; St. John’s 42; Xavier 26; Michigan State 25; Oregon 16; BYU 16; Kansas State 11; Saint Mary’s 9; Boise State 9; Clemson 8; Ohio State 7; Dayton 7; Maryland 4; Grand Canyon 3; Wake Forest 2; Virginia 2; San Diego State 2; Princeton 2; Mississippi State 2; Wisconsin