Indiana basketball outside of top 70 in first NET rankings

Indiana basketball is coming off an overall poor showing at Battle 4 Atlantis which ultimately hurt the Hoosiers in the first NET Rankings drop.

In the first NET ranking release, Indiana basketball showed up as No. 71. A spot that is not ideal to be at.

Although the Hoosiers are 5-2 on the season thus far, Indiana’s weak schedule and lack of quality wins has really dug themselves in a hole early on. Indiana basketball was blown out by both Louisville and Gonzaga in Atlantis but was able to bounce back and beat Providence to finish with at least one win. Their next best win of the season is vs South Carolina.

It is worth noting that the NET ranking may be the most important tool the NCAA Tournament committee uses when factoring in at-large bids come March. At the moment in time, Indiana basketball is 0-2 in Quad 1 matchups, 0-0 in Quad 2 matchups, 2-0 in Quad 3 in matchups, and 3-0 in Quad 4 matchups.

More: Indiana basketball guard Kanaan Carlyle ‘day-to-day’ coming out of Battle 4 Atlantis

While things feel gloomy at this point in time of Indiana’s season, the Hoosiers will have plenty of time to turn things around and gain improved NET rankings this season.

“Right now my focus is on our team — a new team that’s got seven new players that are still trying to work things out and work through it,” Mike Woodson said last week. “I’m going to keep pushing until I get this team to where I think it should be.”

Big Ten teams that are listed ahead of Indiana basketball include: Ohio State (No. 12), Oregon (No. 15), UCLA (No. 16), Wisconsin (No. 17), Purdue (No. 21), Maryland (No. 23), Penn State (No. 34), Michigan (No. 35), Michigan State (No. 41), Nebraska (No. 44), and Iowa (No. 54).

Hoosiers will host Sam Houston tomorrow with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 PM ET on BTN.

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball shows growth in their win over Providence but still ‘gotta clean up some things’

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.