Will Indiana to do the NCAA Tournament? It’s a hotly debated topic as the Hoosiers enter a Big Ten Tournament Semi-final Saturday against Iowa.
The Hoosiers rallied from a 17-point deficit Thursday to beat Michigan and beat top-seeded Illinois Friday. maybe clinch a spot in the March Madness field.
Here’s what people who follow the teams think after Friday’s action nationwide.
What Gregg Doyel thinks:With a guaranteed NCAA bid, this IU team looks dangerous. Who would have thought?
Beat the Illini:IU Just Cracked Its Way into March Madness
Doyel:Jackson-Davis responds to Woodson’s challenge, saves season from brink
IU beats Michigan:The Hoosiers trailed Michigan by 17 points, then took over with a massive win in the Big Ten Tournament
IU not unanimous in NCAA tournament
BracketMatrix.com compiles many bracketology lists, and the Hoosiers are considered to be in the majority of them, but without much wiggle room.
In the brackets that include the Hoosiers, some have them as a No. 9 seed. Most have them as a No. 12 seed if they play in a First Four game.
Joe Lunardi, ESPN
THE ESPN Analyst has the Hoosiers in his “last four byes” category.
From Friday morning
IU earns final NCAA tournament berth.
“We don’t really have a chance to study until the number of games played decreases because our seeding and bubble projections are faster. For now, just know that the last team (Indiana) has a good chance of getting passed at some point, and our last No. 1 seed (Baylor) could certainly get passed by the eventual SEC champion.”
Jerry Palm, CBS
The Hoosiers are comfortably seated as the No. 10 seed, according to Palm.
From Friday morning
The latest update of Palm Bracketology Indiana still needs to win to have a chance to play in the 68-team NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers are currently listed as the first team to have their bubble burst, along with Michigan.
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report doesn’t have the Hoosiers on his roster, but a win over Iowa would secure him a spot.
From Friday morning
The folks at Bleacher Report see Michigan as the last team to enter and Indiana is the first team out despite their win over the Wolverines on Thursday. If the Hoosiers want to reach the Big Dance, they’ll have to eliminate top-seeded Illinois.
Beating Michigan in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament was huge, but Indiana’s work isn’t done yet. Because if you take out the seven Quadrant 4 cupcakes that Indiana has scheduled in non-conference play, the Hoosiers are 12-12 overall with just two wins against teams that have made the tournament — at home against Purdue and Ohio State. The stats aren’t bad, but that resume just reeks of missed opportunities and poor scheduling. A win against Illinois on Friday would certainly push Indiana into contention, though.
NCAA.com
Andy Katz already had the Hoosiers enter NCAA tournament before the start of the Big Ten tournament, putting the Hoosiers in 12th place. Thursday’s win over Michigan only strengthens that outlook.
USA TODAY
USA TODAY The Hoosiers are the No. 11 seed.
From Friday morning
Scott Gleeson’s Bubble Watch Michigan’s win is considered enough to make Indiana one of the final four teams to advance to the tournament, but another win wouldn’t hurt.
The Hoosiers (19-12, 9-11 Big Ten) entered the day as one of the “top four outs,” but a 74-69 win over Michigan in the Big Ten tournament could be the antidote to what was missing from their profile to please the selection committee. That gives Indiana four Quadrant 1 wins, which helps offset a nonconference strength of schedule of 237.
