Bloomington — For the second straight season, Indiana will miss the NCAA tournament after coming close this year. The Hoosiers secured a spot among the last four teams out of the field in the selection committee’s final verdict, sparking frustration among fans who couldn’t understand why North Carolina was selected ahead of them.
The main reason for IU’s exclusion lies in its lack of valuable wins against tournament-bound teams. Across 32 games this season, Indiana finished with only three wins against eventual NCAA Tournament teams, including a single win via the OVC’s automatic berth from SIU-Edwardsville. The Hoosiers’ only two wins against similar-caliber teams came at Michigan State and Purdue.
A lack of bid thieves also kept IU in contention. Mid-major conferences, such as the Atlantic 10 and American Athletic Conference, remained relatively intact, with VCU winning the conference and Memphis sweeping its opponents. This allowed North Carolina to secure a spot by staying ahead of UAB in the case of an upset.
Metrics favored North Carolina over Indiana. The Tar Heels ranked higher in KenPom and NET compared to IU. Although it’s unclear how much this influenced the committee’s decision, the numbers suggest UNC had an edge.
One possible reason for IU’s exclusion is its nonconference schedule. The Hoosiers opted not to push their boat out further, which ultimately cost them in March. Their limited nonconference exposure led to blowout losses and struggled consistency throughout the season.
The debate surrounding Indiana vs. North Carolina will continue, but it’s essential to remember that being on the bubble means acknowledging flaws and not making excuses. This is life on the bubble, where every game matters. With Scott Dolson set to make a hiring decision, all eyes are now on what’s next for IU basketball.
Source: https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2025/03/16/indiana-basketball-march-madness-resume-north-carolina/82478267007