After a crushing 28-point loss to Louisville in the Battle for Atlantis, Indiana fans are once again upset with head coach Mike Woodson. This is a familiar feeling for Hoosier fans as Woodson’s seat has grown warm over the past few seasons. If this season trends toward a disappointment, Woodson’s time in Bloomington may be coming to a close.
Is Mike Woodson’s Future at Indiana in Jeopardy?
Indiana fans have become anxious after missing the NCAA Tournament in 2024. Many fans believe that Mike Woodson does not have the team heading in the right direction despite the overwhelming talent on the roster. They are also upset with his limited tournament success. He has 1 NCAA Tournament win in his first three years in Bloomington. While this is not necessarily bad, it is unacceptable for a program with the talent and resources of Indiana. He is also criticized for his antiquated offense. He relies on playing through the paint. His big men are old school. They play close to the basket and rely on strength and footwork to score. His guards are not shooters, they are either slashers or true point guards. This has been frustrating for fans as they believe it does not prepare them to win in March.
But he was given another year to fix things and he opted to use the transfer portal. Things started well in the 2025/26 season until the disaster against Louisville. Now fans are back to questioning Woodson’s future with the team. Transfer Oumar Ballo has not been living up to the hype he received in the offseason. Senior guard Trey Galloway has almost been a non-factor for the team, which is unacceptable for a fifth-year guard who averaged over ten points per game last season. While it is possible the team can turn things around, things appear to be headed off the rails in Bloomington.
What Will This Season Look Like
The Hoosiers will finish out the Battle for Atlantis before finishing their non-conference schedule in December. By the time Big Ten play starts, we should know the security of Woodson’s job. If Indiana continues to play below its expectations, it will be a long few months of conference play. However, there could still be a chance. The rest of the non-conference schedule is relatively easy. The first four games of Big Ten play are against Minnesota, Nebraska, Rutgers, and Penn State. These are four easier opponents that could help the Hoosiers gain momentum. They will need to take care of business because the final month of the season is an absolute gauntlet.
As the season goes on, things should start to even out. This team has many new pieces that need to learn how to play together. Ballo should adjust soon and begin to put up better numbers. The talent is there. But if the team does not improve, there is a strong possibility that we will see a leadership change for Indiana.
