Ranking the Nine “Blue Blood” programs in 2024 Part 1

When it comes to Blue Blood basketball teams, Indiana comes in at number eight on our list.

Indiana Hoosier basketball had a terrific run from 1976 to 1992 and boasts a highly fervent following. Linked for fourth with Duke for the most national championships by a men's division one college basketball program, the Hoosiers have won five national titles in 1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987. They have also won 22 Big Ten regular-season titles and appeared eight times in the Final Four.

The Indiana Hoosiers have had the privilege of collaborating with numerous renowned basketball coaches. Branch McCracken was instrumental in the first two national championships for Indiana, in 1940 and 1953. After that, Bob Knight led the Indiana Hoosiers to a grand total of thirteen Big Ten regular season titles and three NCAA titles (1976, 1981, and 1987).

In Indiana, Indian basketball is deeply ingrained in the local and state of Indiana culture. When the Hoosiers play at home, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is known to get extremely loud from the devoted and passionate fans who attend. The basketball fans who root for the Indiana Hoosiers are unwavering in their devotion to the franchise.

Indiana Hoosier basketball has many traditions and a rich history. For almost a century, the Hoosiers have been a major player in college basketball and have maintained that position to this day.

The following is a summary of the resume of the Indiana basketball program.

National Championships since 1960: 3
National Championships before 1960: 2
Final Four Appearances since 1960: 6
Final Four Appearances before 1960: 2
Regular Season Conference Championships since 1950: 19
Conference Tournament Championships since 1990: 0
Elite Eight Appearances: 11
Sweet Sixteen Appearances: 22
Every season with 30 or more wins since 1970: 4
Every season with 20 or more wins since 1970: 33
NCAA Tournament berths: 41

Below is a breakdown of the Hoosiers' point totals.

Every NCAA Tournament berth: 82 points
Every season with 20 or more wins since 1970: 132 points
Every season with 30 or more wins since 1970: 24 points
Sweet Sixteen Appearances: 176 points
Elite Eight Appearances: 88 points
Conference Tournament Championships since 1990: 0 points
Regular Season Conference Championships since 1950: 475 points
Final Four Appearances before 1960: 60 points Final Four Appearances since 1960: 240 points
National Championships before 1960: 100 points
National Championships since 1960: 180 points

Total Points: 1,557