6. Indiana
- Record: 1,836-1,050 (.636 Winning Percentage)
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 39
- Final Fours: Eight (1940, 1953, 1973, 1976, 1981, 1987, 1992, 2002)
- National Titles: Five (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)
- Notable Alums: Walt Bellamy, Isaiah Thomas, Steve Alford
We are now entering the truly elite part of the blue blood rankings, beginning here with our final Big Ten school in Indiana. The Hoosiers have long been synonymous with basketball excellence, with their winning tradition going back nearly 120 years.
Indiana became the second school ever to win the NCAA Tournament in 1940, which was clearly a sign of things to come for the program. The Hoosiers didn’t return to the NCAA Tournament until 1953, which wasn’t uncommon since the dance was fighting for national prominence with the NIT at the time, but they marked their return with another title.
The program truly ascended into the elite tier once Bob Knight took over as head coach in 1971. Under Knight’s watch, the Hoosiers won at least 20 games a remarkable 22 times, going 632-229 in his 29 years as coach, a remarkable .735 winning percentage.
Indiana won three national titles under Knight, cutting down the nets in 1976, 1981, and 1987. The first of those title teams went 32-0, with that 1976 Indiana team the last men’s college basketball team to complete an undefeated season.
Knight departed under fire in 2000 after allegations of abuse towards players surfaced, and the program hasn’t quite recaptured its former glory since. The Hoosiers did reach the Final Four in 2002, losing the title game to Maryland, but they have cycled through four different coaches since Knight left.