How good can the 2024 class of Indiana basketball be? A top-5 ranking could be ‘within reach’

The Indiana basketball program entered the 2024 recruiting cycle needing to land a talented and large class. While there are currently no commitments out of the group the program is actively pursuing, the Hoosiers are sitting in a good spot with numerous five-star and high-end four-star talents.

It’s quite a different scenario from the 2023 class, however. Indiana went into last summer already holding commitments from two members in its 2023 class. But, you can make the argument that Indiana almost sits in a better spot at the current moment than it did a year ago.

So, how good can the 2024 recruiting class actually be for the Indiana basketball program? A top-5 ranking could be ‘within reach’, according to one national analyst.

“I think the top five is within reach if things break correctly,” Rivals National Recruiting Director Rob Cassidy wrote. ” … There are enough irons in the fire here to give Indiana a shot at the top five in my rough estimate, but it all hinges on (Liam) McNeeley first and foremost.”

Indiana has already hosted numerous top-50 prospects for official visits this summer. That includes five-star Boogie Fland and four-stars Tyler Betsey and Jaeden Mustaf. Next on the docket are return visits from a pair of five-stars; Liam McNeeley and Derik Queen. McNeeley was the first to announce his official visit in September, followed by Queen locking in his date this week, joining McNeeley in Bloomington at the same time.

The Hoosiers are currently on a ‘top’ or ‘final’ list for nearly 10 different prospects.

Read: Indiana basketball labeled ‘team to beat’ for 2024 top-10 prospect

In addition to the aforementioned players are four-star targets such as Austin Swartz, Annor Boateng and Patrick Ngongba. Swartz does have an official visit scheduled to Indiana beginning on Aug. 18, but with the recent potential recruiting calendar changes, that visit may be getting moved. All three players are top-45 prospects.

While Indiana looks to be the odd team out when it comes to five-star’s Dylan Harper and Asa Newell, both players took visits to Bloomington last year.

All this is to say, Indiana has a legit shot at landing multiple five-star players and numerous top-45 prospects.

Ideally, you would look at a class that consists of Liam McNeeley, Derik Queen and Boogie Fland as a home run. Not only is it one, but that’s not a long shot class to land.

When Mike Woodson took the job as the head coach of the IU basketball program two years ago — his message was clear. He wanted to get Indiana back into the national conversation by competing for Big Ten and National Championships.

The only way to do that is with the top talent from around the entire country. It’s a message he’s emphasizing and taking head on.

“When I took the job, I made it clear to my coaches that we deserved to sit at the table with the best players,” Woodson told reporters this summer. “We kind of squabbled a little bit early on because they didn’t think we were in that position to be able to do that.

“I thought we were based on Indiana basketball and the history of it. So, I didn’t accept no for an answer and I told ’em (my staff) that I wanted to be able to sit at the table with the best players and compete with the Kentucky’s, the Kansas’, the Duke’s, teams like that.”

The next two months will go a long way in determining where Indiana can finish nationally with its 2024 class, but one thing’s for sure. The Indiana basketball program is doing everything right to attract the top players in the country.

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball recruiting beginning to click on all cylinders: ‘I wanted to be able to sit at the table with the best players’

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