Your Indiana men's college basketball cheat sheet
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Can the Boilermakers finally win the big one? Photo: Justin Casterline/Getty Images
The 2025-26 college basketball season officially tipped off this week.
Why it matters: Indiana is home to the top men's team in the country, and the road to college basketball glory literally goes through Indianapolis this season. The 2026 NCAA men's Final Four takes place in Lucas Oil Stadium April 4-6.
Flashback: This is Lucas Oil's fourth turn hosting the event. The Final Four last came to town for 2021's pandemic-forced "bubble" tournament that saw the best college basketball players in the nation battling it out in front of cardboard cutouts.
Zoom in: Here is a quick cheat sheet to catch you up on how every men's Division I team in the state performed last season, as well as how the start of this season is going so far.
- Fun fact: The University of Southern Indiana is making its Division I debut this season after completing a reclassification process to make the jump from Division II.
Purdue University
Last season's record: 13-7 conference, 24-12 overall, 4th place in the Big Ten, eliminated in the Sweet 16 round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
This season's start: The Boilermakers, ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll, lost a high-profile exhibition game against Kentucky last month.
- But in the first game that mattered toward their record, Purdue beat the Evansville Purple Aces 82-51 Tuesday night in West Lafayette.
- Their next game is Friday night at home against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
Indiana University
Last season: 10-10 conference, 19-13 overall, 9th place in the Big Ten.
This season: The Hoosiers open their season at home Wednesday against Alabama A&M.
University of Notre Dame
Last season: 8-12 conference, 15-18 overall, 12th place in the ACC.
This season: The Fighting Irish won 89-67 Monday night in their season opener against Long Island University.
- They return to the court Friday to play Detroit Mercy.
Butler University
Last season: 6-14 conference, 15-20 overall, 8th place in the Big East.
This season: The Bulldogs open their season at home Wednesday against the University of Southern Indiana.
- Tickets start at $17.
Ball State University
Last season: 7-11 conference, 14-17 overall, 9th place in the MAC.
This season: The Cardinals won 75-64 Monday at home against Louisiana.
- They play in Muncie again Friday night when they host Mansfield.
Indiana State University
Last season: 8-12 conference, 14-18 overall, 8th place in the MVC.
This season: The Sycamores lost to Charlotte Monday night on the road.
- They host their home opener Thursday night against Illinois Tech.
Indiana University Indianapolis
Last season: 6-14 conference, 10-22 overall, 9th place in the Horizon League.
This season: The Jaguars battled Ohio State in Columbus on Monday, losing 102-118.
- They come home for their next game Thursday night against LIU.
Purdue Fort Wayne
Last season: 12-8 conference, 19-13 overall, 5th place in the Horizon League.
This season: The Mastodons lost to the Grand Canyon Antelopes on Monday.
- They're back on the road Friday for a game against Ohio State.
University of Evansville
Last season: 8-12 conference, 11-21 overall, 10th place in the MVC.
This season: They lost to Purdue Tuesday night. Their first home game is Friday against Calumet.
Valparaiso University
Last season: 6-14 conference, 15-19 overall, 11th place in the MVC.
This season: The Beacons beat Eastern Illinois Tuesday night at home.
- They clash with No. 9 Kentucky on the road Friday night.
University of Southern Indiana
Last season: 5-15 conference, 10-20 overall, 11th place in the Ohio Valley Conference.
This season: The Screaming Eagles are in Indianapolis Wednesday to open their season opposite Butler.