Every Hoosier Playing in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Some would consider the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season to be a disappointment for the Hoosier State. Indiana University was one of the first four teams left out of the NCAA Tournament, Butler University finished below .500 and had a first-round exit in the Big East Tournament, and the University of Notre Dame finished 16th out of 18 teams in the ACC and missed its conference tournament entirely. None of the state’s mid-major programs won their conference championships either. Purdue University is the only team who qualified for the tournament, winning four straight games in the Big Ten Tournament to win the championship and earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

But that doesn’t mean the Hoosier State won’t be well-represented in the Big Dance.

Here are all the players from Indiana who are playing in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament.

Flory Bidunga: University of Kansas

The Kokomo High School graduate and Indiana’s 2023 Mr. Basketball winner has blossomed in his second year under Bill Self at Kansas, averaging 13.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 2.6 BPG, which leads the entire Big 12 Conference.

Ryan Conwell: University of Louisville

Since graduating from Pike High School in 2022, Conwell has made stops at University of South Florida, Indiana State University, Xavier University, and now Louisville. He is the leading scorer for the 6-seeded Cardinals at 18.7 PPG.

Xavier Booker: University of California Los Angeles

The 6-11 big man from Cathedral High School lost his role in the starting lineup this season but has remained a key fixture in the Bruins’ rotation. He is averaging career highs in points (6.9 PPG) and rebounds (3.3 RPG) since transferring from Michigan State University.

Braylon Mullins: University of Connecticut

The Greenfield native started the year injured but has since emerged as one of the best players on Dan Hurley’s 2-seeded Huskies. The 2025 Mr. Basketball winner is expected to be a first-round selection if he declares for the NBA Draft this offseason.

Jalen Washington: Vanderbilt University

Washington, a big man from Gary, is the sixth man for the emerging Commodores. The North Carolina transfer is second on the team in rebounds.

Connor Essegian: University of Nebraska

The Wisconsin transfer from Fort Wayne began the season as a key bench player for the Cornhuskers but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the seventh game of the season.

Ben Humrichous: University of Illinois

The Tipton High School graduate leads the team in minutes per game off the bench and is a key rotational piece as a 6-foot-6 wing with efficient outside shooting.

Jake Davis: Illinois

Our second Illinois player is a Cathedral High School graduate, who set the Indiana high school record for career charges taken in 2023. He is a spot starter for the Fighting Illini and, like Humrichous, is a three-point specialist on offense.

Vincent Brady II: High Point University

The senior guard from Indianapolis averages 5.4 PPG off the bench for the 12-seeded Panthers.

Braden Smith: Purdue University

The First-Team All-Big Ten guard from Westfield is one of the best guards in the country. The 2022 Mr. Basketball winner was Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player after leading the Boilermakers to the championship.

Fletcher Loyer: Purdue University

The Homestead graduate has been a four-year starter alongside Smith in the Purdue backcourt and averages 13.8 PPG.

Trey Kaufman-Renn: Purdue University

The big man from Silver Creek High School leads the team in rebounds (8.7 RPG), is third in points (13.4 PPG), and second in assists (2.7 APG).

Jack Benter: Purdue University

The redshirt-freshman from Brownstown has become an important player off the bench for the Boilers, with the fifth most three-pointers made on the team.

Aaron Fine: Purdue University

The Noblesville High School graduate is a walk-on and deep bench piece for Purdue.

Jace Rayl: Purdue University

Bidunga’s running mate at Kokomo, Rayl is a walk-on who has appeared in eight games this season.

Sam King: Purdue University

The senior from Columbus North is another walk-on for the Boilers.

Kanon Catchings: University of Georgia

The son of Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings starts on the wing for the Bulldogs and scores 12 PPG. The Brownsburg native is a former Purdue recruit and played for Brigham Young University last season.

Michael Cooper: Wright State University

The Jeffersonville High School graduate is Wright State’s leading scorer at 13.4 PPG. The 6-foot-3 guard has a bright future as he is only a freshman.

PJ Douglas: Wright State

Cooper’s teammate at Jeffersonville is redshirting this year and will look to take on a bigger role next season.

Kellen Pickett: Wright State

The freshman from Fort Wayne Blackhawk is a spot starter and key rotational player for the Raiders. He led the Horizon League in field goal percentage this season.

Damon Howard: Tennessee State University

The 6-foot-1 guard gets spot minutes off the bench for the 15-seeded Tigers. The Pike graduate will look to increase his role next season.

Peter Suder: Miami (OH) University

The MAC Player of the Year from Carmel was the catalyst to Miami’s incredible 31-0 start to the season before they lost in the MAC Tournament. The former Bellarmine transfer leads the team in points and rebounds.

Justin Kirby: Miami (OH)

The state champion from Fishers High School comes off the bench and plays critical minutes for the Redhawks as just a freshman.

Blake Anderson: Miami (OH)

The Evansville Memorial High School graduate is a walk-on who is redshirting this season for the 31-1 Redhawks.

No matter which games you’re tuned into throughout March Madness, odds are you’ll see someone who once did or still calls Indiana home.

Now it’s time to dance.