Hoosier Shake-Up: Roster Turnover and Fresh Faces Define Indiana’s Future
Indiana University athletics is undergoing a significant transformation across both basketball and football, as coaching changes, player departures, and fresh recruits reshape the program. With both the men’s and women’s basketball teams seeing notable roster shifts and the football team bringing in an influx of new talent, the Hoosiers are entering a new era.
Men’s Basketball: A New Leader, A New Team
The Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball team is facing one of its most dramatic overhauls in recent years. Following the departure of head coach Mike Woodson, Indiana has brought in Darian DeVries to take the reins. His arrival marks a shift in philosophy, and that change is evident in the roster, as seven scholarship players have entered the transfer portal.
Among the key losses is Malik Reneau, who transferred to the University of Miami after leading the Hoosiers in scoring last season with an average of 13.3 points per game. His departure signals a major gap to fill, but DeVries is aggressively working the transfer market to rebuild the roster. However, Indiana recently missed out on Iowa transfer guard Josh Dix, who committed to Creighton instead.
Despite these setbacks, the Hoosiers are actively pursuing high-level talent to keep the program competitive. With a fresh coaching approach and a restructured roster, the team hopes to make a strong comeback in the 2025-26 season.
Women’s Basketball: A Major Transfer Win
While the men’s program deals with a period of transition, the Indiana Hoosiers women’s basketball team has secured a significant addition to its roster. Chloe Spreen, the 2024 Indiana Miss Basketball, is returning home after spending her freshman year at Alabama. Her decision to join Indiana gives the program a much-needed boost as it continues to strengthen its lineup.
The women’s team has been one of the more consistent programs in recent years, and this offseason is about refining the roster rather than rebuilding from scratch. With key players staying and new talent coming in, the Hoosiers are poised to remain a contender.
Football: An Influx of New Talent
The Indiana Hoosiers football team is also experiencing a wave of change. Under head coach Curt Cignetti, the team has welcomed 33 new players, including 19 transfers and 14 freshmen. This massive turnover means that over 40% of the roster will consist of newcomers.
One of the biggest challenges for the team is at quarterback. Tyler Cherry, expected to be a key player, will miss the 2025 season due to injury. In response, Indiana has brought in transfers Fernando Mendoza from Cal and Grant Wilson from Old Dominion to compete for the starting role.
Additionally, the Hoosiers have made schedule adjustments, including canceling their previously scheduled non-conference game against the University of Connecticut in 2026. The team has not yet announced a replacement opponent.
What’s Next for Indiana Athletics?
The shake-up within Indiana’s athletic programs presents both challenges and opportunities. For men’s basketball, the focus will be on rebuilding a competitive roster under new leadership. The women’s basketball team looks to capitalize on strong recruiting and maintain its upward trajectory. Meanwhile, the football team faces the difficult task of integrating new players and finding stability at the quarterback position.
With so many changes happening at once, Indiana fans will be watching closely to see how these programs adapt. While uncertainty looms, the Hoosiers are embracing the future with fresh talent and a renewed sense
of direction.
