Indiana University Men's Basketball Tickets

Indiana Hoosiers Men's Basketball History

The University of Indiana first fielded a men's basketball team in 1901. Early on, the Hoosiers saw success in the Big Ten conference, winning their first conference championship in 1926 under coach Everett Dean. Legendary Hoosiers player Branch McCracken coached Indiana from 1938 to 1965, with a hiatus from 1943 to 1946 while serving as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II. Under McCracken, the Hoosiers won their first two NCAA tournament championships, in 1940 and 1953. In 1971, Indiana hired Bob Knight, changing the course of Big Ten and Indiana basketball forever. Knight became a household name while coaching the Hoosiers, leading the program to win national championships in 1976, 1981 and 1987.

The 1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers are the last Division I men's basketball team to date to have achieved a perfect season, going 32-0 and defeating the Michigan Wolverines for their third national championship. Another iconic moment in the history of the sport came courtesy of Keith Smart's game-winning shot in the 1987 National Championship game, which sealed Indiana’s 74-73 victory over Syracuse. Many legends have played for the Hoosiers over the years, including Isiah Thomas, identical twins Tom and Dick Van Arsdale, Kent Benson, Steve Alford, Eric Gordon, Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller.

In total, the Hoosiers have won five national championships, appeared in the Final Four eight times and earned 22 regular season Big Ten titles throughout school history.

Indiana Hoosiers Team Info

Conference: Big Ten
Team Colors: Crimson and cream
Team Rivals: Illinois, Purdue, Kentucky

Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

The Hoosiers play out of the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, which first opened as Assembly Hall on Indiana University’s Bloomington, Indiana campus in 1971. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall was renamed in 2016 after undergoing its most recent renovation and currently seats 17,222. Both the IU men’s and women’s basketball teams compete on the court, which was dedicated to two-time championship-winning head coach Branch McCracken upon opening in 1971. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is known for being one of the loudest arenas on game day in college basketball.