Indiana claims first NCAA Tournament victory since 2016 in First Four

The long wait is over for Indiana basketball. The Hoosiers have finally won a game in the NCAA Tournament after beating Wyoming in the First Four. First-year head coach Mike Woodson has helped snap an embarrassing streak.

For the first time since making the Sweet 16 and winning a Big Ten title in 2016, the Hoosiers heard their names called on Selection Sunday as the once dominant program is attempting to make a comeback under a former alum. However, IU needed a win in Dayton to officially join the field of 64.

That was recorded in Dayton as Indiana improved to 21-13.

Thanks to 29 points from star big man Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana knocked out Wyoming in a 66-58 win. However, it was a team effort for the Hoosiers at the University of Dayton Arena. The Hoosiers had their way with Wyoming on the offensive glass grabbing 15 offensive rebounds leading to 16 second chance points.

Indiana joined Texas Southern in the winner’s circle at the First Four as both programs will move on to participate in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. In the real Big Dance, the Hoosiers will look to snap an 0-5 streak the program has as a No. 8 seed or higher when IU meets No. 5 seed Saint Mary’s on Thursday night in the East region.

A great year for Wyoming hoops comes to an unfortunate end in Dayton. Jeff Linder took the Cowboys back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015 in just his second season on the sidelines in Laramie. The former head coach at Northern Colorado had the Pokes in the mix in a tough Mountain West Conference this season. With star big Graham Ike scheduled to return for his junior year in 2022-23, expectations could be high for Wyoming basketball next season.

For now, the mighty Indiana Hoosiers of the Big Ten will look to play spoiler as a double-digit seed in the East region. IU will be a popular No. 12 over No. 5 upset pick when Woodson’s club takes on Randy Bennett’s Saint Mary’s Gaels.