The state of Indiana has basketball woven into its fabric, traditions and ideals. This year, Indianapolis is hosting four basketball championships: the Men's Final Four, the Division II and III finals, and the semifinals and finals of the National Invitation Tournament.
Home to some of the greatest basketball stories, Indiana colleges in Divisions I, II and III have long penned tales of legendary programs and iconic trophies. Reminisce on championship moments from Indiana's men's basketball teams, from buzzer-beaters to beating the odds.
Ball State Cardinals: 2002 NIT Run
Ball State extended its "giant killer" reputation — earned from beating highly ranked Kansas and UCLA early that season — with a strong 2002 NIT showing. The Cardinals beat South Florida, Saint Joseph's and LSU before falling to South Carolina in the quarterfinals.
Butler Bulldogs: 2010 and 2011 DI Championship Games
In true Cinderella fashion, Butler's back-to-back men's national championship game appearances redefined mid-major success. The Bulldogs created a culture of discipline called "The Butler Way," which helped coach Brad Stevens lead Butler to its first Final Four in school history in 2010. And of course, historic Hinkle Fieldhouse — Butler's home since 1928 — remains a symbol of Indiana's deep basketball roots.
Indiana Hoosiers: 1976 DI Championship
Under coach Bobby Knight, Indiana snapped a 23-year title drought with a perfect 1976 season: 32-0 overall and 18-0 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers defeated St. John's, Alabama, Marquette and UCLA before securing the championship over Michigan. Led by Scott May and Kent Benson, the team remains the last Division I men's national champion to go undefeated.
Indiana State Sycamores: 1979 DI Championship Game
The rivalry between legends Larry Bird and Magic Johnson sparked at the 1979 national championship. Bird's undefeated Indiana State met Johnson's undefeated Michigan State in the final, marking the beginning of the decade-long feud. Although the Sycamores lost the game, the Larry Bird era showcased the star power in Terre Haute.
Manchester Spartans: 1995 DIII Championship Game
Coach Steve Alford — a hero on the 1987 Indiana Hoosiers championship team — led the Spartans to the first battle of undefeated teams in a title game of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship. The Spartans lost to Wisconsin-Platteville, but Manchester's 33-game win streak remains a school record.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 1973 NIT Championship Game
Notre Dame battled Virginia Tech at Madison Square Garden in the 1973 NIT. The Irish lost the overtime thriller by 1 point, but the run under second-year coach Digger Phelps elevated the program's national profile. During the Phelps era, Irish teams earned 14 NCAA tournament berths, with the school's 1977-78 squad advancing to the program's only Final Four appearance.
Purdue Boilermakers: 2024 DI Championship Game
The Boilermakers advanced to the Men's Final Four for the first time in 44 years and the national championship game for the first time since 1969. Despite 37 points from National Player of the Year Zach Edey, the Boilermakers fell to UConn. Still, the squad made program history in games won (34), points (3,211), rebound margin (+11.2), assists (720), assist/turnover ratio (1.63) and field goals made (1,109).
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles: 1995 DII Championship
Southern Indiana men's basketball won its first NCAA Division II national title in 1995, with 3.9 million viewers watching on CBS Sports. Stan Gouard — two-time Division II Player of the Year and now head coach of Southern Indiana men's basketball — led the small-college program that played with the swagger of a national power.
Trine Thunder: 2024 DIII Championship
In its first Division III tournament, Trine entered as the 13th-ranked team and left with a national championship trophy. The 29-4 Thunder were led by Cortez Garland, Nate Tucker and Aidan Smylie. Trine's national championship run signaled Indiana's small-college magic isn't just history, it's happening right now.
UIndy Greyhounds: DII Sustained Success
In Indianapolis, the Greyhounds have carved out a legacy built on consistency.
The Greyhounds have earned 12 conference championships, have made eight NAIA national tournament appearances and 12 NCAA Division II tournament appearances. In a city filled with basketball history, UIndy has become one of its most dependable winners.
Valparaiso Beacons: 2016 NIT Championship Game
In 1998, Bryce Drew sank "The Shot," a 3-point buzzer-beater to send Valparaiso to the round of 32 and eventually the Sweet 16. It is still one of the greatest moments in March Madness history. In 2016, Valparaiso's NIT title-game run — led by Alec Peters and coached by Bryce Drew — proved the program's staying power beyond its NCAA Cinderella years and helped propel its move to the Missouri Valley Conference.
Wabash Little Giants: 1982 DIII Championship
The Little Giants captured the 1982 Division III national championship, which remains the only Division III title for any team in school history. That season, coach Mac Petty earned Division III Coach of the Year and Pete Metzelaars earned Division III Player of the Year after averaging over 25 points per game in the tournament. Metzelaars finished his career with a Division III record field-goal percentage of 73%.
