Indiana Basketball Season Preview 2024-25: Biggest games, key players to watch, predictions and more

Indiana looks to bounce back in the 2024-25 college basketball season after missing the NCAA Tournament last spring.

The Hoosiers failed to meet their lofty expectations last season. Despite starting strongly at 12-5, they suddenly fell to earth, going 2-8 in their next 10 games to end up 14-13.

Mike Woodson and his team made a late surge, winning five straight games. This included its first-round Big Ten Tournament duel with Penn State until they were stopped by Nebraska in the quarterfinals.

The late-season spurt wasn't enough to hand Indiana a bid to the NCAA Tournament. It eventually declined an invitation to compete in the 2024 National Invitation Tournament.

Woodson and his men are determined to bring the Hoosiers back in the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Tournament title mix this coming season. Here's a closer look into Indiana's upcoming college basketball campaign, from its biggest games to the key players to watch out for this season.

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Indiana's biggest games in the 2024-25 season

Indiana has a loaded schedule for the 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball season.

It will compete in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas on Nov. 27-29 against Arizona, Davidson, Gonzaga, Louisville, Oklahoma, Providence and West Virginia. The complete schedule of the tournament will be announced on a later date.

The Hoosiers will also play SEC rival South Carolina at home on Nov. 16. They are 2-1 against the Gamecocks in their head-to-head, with Indiana winning its most recent clash, 76-55, on Nov. 8, 1998 in Indianapolis in the Hoosier Classic.

Meanwhile, the Hoosiers' regular season games with their Big Ten conference-mates will have them facing Purdue, Ohio State and Penn State twice in a home-and-away format.

INDIANA'S 2024-25	BIG 10 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Home and Away	Purdue, Ohio State, Penn State
Home only	Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Rutgers, UCLA, USC
Away only	Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin.

Indiana will play host to bitter rivals Illinois, as well as Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Rutgers, UCLA and USC. They will visit Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

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Key Indiana players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season

The Indiana Hoosiers have assembled a strong team going into the 2024-25 season. Some of the key players from last year are back for another season and the team is reinforced with key pickups from the transfer portal and high school recruitment.

Here are the three Indiana players that fans should keep an eye on this season.

#1. Oumar Ballo

Indiana big man Oumar Ballo when he was with Arizona last season. (Image Source: IMAGN)

Oumar Ballo is arguably one of the top acquisitions from the transfer portal. The former Gonzaga and Arizona big man will play for his third school this year. He will hope to provide a big impact in the center position and help Indiana dominate the Big 10.

The seven-foot Ballo averaged a double-double of 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game and shot 65.8% from the field during his time with the Wildcats.

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#2. Malik Reneau

Indiana forward Malik Reneau (Image Source: IMAGN)

Malik Reneau is coming off an excellent sophomore season with the Hoosiers. The 6-8 forward averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists, shooting 55.8%, including 33.3% from the 3-point line.

Reneau will continue to be the team's top offensive weapon despite the transfers of Ballo, Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle. He'll hope to repay Woodson's trust by delivering instant offense to the Hoosiers' cause.

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#3. Bryson Tucker

Bryson Tucker is arguably one of the top small forward prospects in high school. The Bishop O'Connell standout committed to Indiana despite having offers from 12 other programs.

The 6-6 Tucker, who had an appearance in the McDonald's All-American Game, is expected to help Indiana's wing offense. He is capable of using his size to finish in the lane and shoots deeper jumpers.

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Indiana's predictions for the 2024-25 season

Thanks to its deep haul from the transfer portal and high school recruitment, Indiana has assembled a team that could surge at the top of the Big Ten Conference.

The Hoosiers are expected to win between 25 to 28 games in the regular season and are tabbed as one of the teams to beat in the NCAA Tournament. It's now up to Mike Woodson to lead Indiana to its first title in 38 years.

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Will Indiana emerge as the top teams in the Big 10 Conference? Let us know your views in the comments section.