The NCAA Tournament is expanding to 76 teams, increasing Indiana's chances of making the field. The Hoosiers have revamped their roster for the 2026-27 season, bolstered by top transfers and an optimistic coach.
Key points
NCAA Tournament expanded to 76 teams
Indiana basketball has revamped its roster
Incoming transfers are among the nation's best
Coach Darian DeVries is optimistic about the season
Mentioned in this story
Darian DeVries
Indiana Hoosiers
What does a 76-team March Madness bracket look like? Indiana easily makes way-too-early projections
The NCAA Tournament has been expanded to 76 teams, which should give Indiana basketball a greater chance to make the field. In many recent seasons, the Hoosiers have narrowly missed March Madness.
IU has largely turned over its roster for 2026-27, with the incoming transfers considered one of nation's best groups. Coach Darian DeVries has reason to be excited about the possibilities.
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Joe Lunardi, ESPN
Andy Katz, NCAA.com: Indiana is a sixth seed; Purdue is a fifth seed; the Big Ten gets 12 bids.
What is the opening round of March Madness in 76-team bracket?
The renamed "opening round" will include 24 teams: the last 12 at-large teams, and the 12 lowest-rated conference tournament champions. Games will be played at Dayton, Ohio, and another site to be determined.
The last 12 at-large teams will compete for all the No. 12 seeds, and two No. 11 seeds. The latter group will vie for all the No. 16 seeds, and two No. 15 seeds.
After those games on Tuesday, March 16, and Wednesday, March 17, the field will stand at 64.
Indiana's Trent Sisley (11) shoots over Minnesota's Grayson Grove (2) during the Indiana versus Minnesota men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Notre Dame guard Markus Burton shoots the ball during a NCAA basketball game against LIU Brooklyn at Purcell Pavilion on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in South Bend.
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) dunks past Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 03: Samet Yigitoglu #24 of the SMU Mustangs is defended by Henri Veesaar #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half at Moody Coliseum on January 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Darren Harris (8) dunks the ball against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Jan 7, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Jaeden Mustaf (3) takes a jump shot in the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Feb 4, 2026; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Bryce Lindsay (2) reacts after the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Bishop McNamara Mustangs guard Prince-Alexander Moody (2) looks to pass as Wheeler Wildcats forward Jaron Saulsberry (1) guards him during the first quarter of a City of Palms Classic first round game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
CIA-Bella Vista Bears forward Vaughn Karvala (24) tries to pass the ball as Prolific Prep Crew guard Bruce Branch II (3) guards him during the third quarter of a City of Palms Classic Signature Series game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
Freshman Trevor Manhertz is a 6-foot-8 forward who signed his letter of intent to play for IU.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Indiana's Trent Sisley (11) shoots over Minnesota's Grayson Grove (2) during the Indiana versus Minnesota men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Indiana's Trent Sisley (11) shoots over Minnesota's Grayson Grove (2) during the Indiana versus Minnesota men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Notre Dame guard Markus Burton shoots the ball during a NCAA basketball game against LIU Brooklyn at Purcell Pavilion on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in South Bend.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) dunks past Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 03: Samet Yigitoglu #24 of the SMU Mustangs is defended by Henri Veesaar #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half at Moody Coliseum on January 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Darren Harris (8) dunks the ball against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Jan 7, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Jaeden Mustaf (3) takes a jump shot in the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Feb 4, 2026; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Bryce Lindsay (2) reacts after the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Bishop McNamara Mustangs guard Prince-Alexander Moody (2) looks to pass as Wheeler Wildcats forward Jaron Saulsberry (1) guards him during the first quarter of a City of Palms Classic first round game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
CIA-Bella Vista Bears forward Vaughn Karvala (24) tries to pass the ball as Prolific Prep Crew guard Bruce Branch II (3) guards him during the third quarter of a City of Palms Classic Signature Series game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
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Who is on IU? See the Indiana basketball roster in photos
Freshman Trevor Manhertz is a 6-foot-8 forward who signed his letter of intent to play for IU.
Will the 2027 NCAA Tournament be played in Indianapolis? Where is the 2027 Final Four?
No NCAA Tournament games are scheduled for Indianapolis in 2027. The Final Four is set for Ford Field in Detroit.
Where was the 2026 Final Four? Where was March Madness in 2026?
