Indiana basketball a ‘dark horse’ for 2025 Final Four

There are a ton of of high expectations for Indiana basketball this season. After finishing a lackluster 19-14 and missing out on the NCAA Tournament last year, Mike Woodson and his staff went on a mission to get better at nearly every position on the floor.

With their top returners such as Malik Reneau, Trey Galloway, Mackenzie Mgbako, Gabe Cupps and others opting to return this season plus the additions of Myles Rice, Kanaan Carlyle, Luke Goode, Oumar Ballo, among others as well, the Hoosiers have positioned themselves as a team that can have major success this upcoming year.

The first goal for Mike Woodson and his Indiana basketball squad is to win a Big Ten Championship, something that Woodson stated he came back to do. After that goal, the next step would be to make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament.

However, how deep of a NCAA Tournament run is this Indiana basketball capable of doing? Are they a team that will get knocked out first round? Make it to the Sweet 16? Or even possibly go deeper than that? Well, according to College Hoops Today Reporter Jon Rothstein, Indiana basketball is a ‘dark horse’ to make it all the way to Final Four in 2025.

“Mike Woodson hasn’t coached a game yet with this group of Hoosiers, but the talent level that’s been assembled in this program is staggering,” Rothstein wrote. “Indiana’s transfer haul during the offseason — Oumar Ballo (Arizona), Myles Rice (Washington State), Kanaan Carlyle (Stanford), and Luke Goode (Illinois) — completely changed the ceiling and overall perception of this program, which missed the NCAA Tournament last season. Ballo, Rice, and Carlyle all possess all-conference caliber ability while Goode’s outside shooting should fill a major void. Malik Reneau (15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds), Mackenzkie Mgbako (12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds), Trey Galloway (10.6 points, 4.6 assists), and Gabe Cupps (2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds) are proud veterans who return after averaging 21 minutes or more last season. Keep a close eye on Mgabko, a former five-star prospect who should benefit immensely from an improved supporting cast. The Big Ten’s best roster resides in Bloomington.”

There is no question about it, this is the most talented team that Mike Woodson has put together during his time as Indiana basketball head coach. If the Hoosiers do not have success this season, there are going to be major problems wit the program after the year is completed.

There is unlimited potential for this team this season. It is up to them on how far they go.

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball guard Trey Galloway progressing nicely from surgery with ‘unfinished business’ ahead

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