The Indiana Hoosiers Men’s Soccer Program learned yesterday that they earned a first round bye in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and will be the #6 overall seed in the tournament. The Hoosiers will face either the Saint Louis University Billikens or the University of Kentucky Wildcats. If those schools sound familiar, it’s because Indiana played – and beat – both of those schools already in the regular season. They beat the then ranked #15 Billikens 1-0 at home (full game recap here) and the then ranked #25 Wildcats 2-1 on the road (full game recap here).
Just last week, the Hoosiers were ranked #19 in the country and missed out on the Big Ten Tournament. Then, a week later, the selection committee names the Hoosiers as the 6th best team in the country – recipients of the coveted first round bye. Personally, I was surprised at this high ranking. The Hoosiers had a roller coaster season where they started off scorching hot, beating high level teams and becoming the #1 team in the country at one point. Then, Big Ten play put a bit of a sour taste in fans’ mouths with a few disappointing performances (leading to the Hoosiers’ aforementioned miss of the Big Ten Tournament).
Despite the few disappointing performances in Big Ten play, Indiana’s RPI stayed high as their tough schedule – and great wins – was rewarded by voters. Head Coach Todd Yeagley regularly schedules difficult non-conference opponents and this is a perfect example of why that formula works in soccer. If you have an off day or two in-conference, but perform well in the non-conference slate (or vice versa), voters can see the bigger picture and let the poor performances slide in favor of the team’s strong wins.
Because of those strong performances, Indiana sets themselves up in a very favorable spot on the NCAA Tournament bracket. As we mentioned, they already beat both of the potential 2nd round opponents, but also have a clearer-than-most road to the Elite 8. There are strong potential opponents down the line, no doubt, but Indiana’s talent, coaching, and structure is truly among the best in the country. I firmly believe the Hoosiers will be able to make it to the Elite 8 and will likely face off against #3 Princeton. If Indiana can get past Princeton (or another team in that region of the bracket), then they’ll be onto their 23rd overall College Cup Playoff (Final 4) in program history.
On the topic of their potentially 23rd overall College Cup Playoff, it is simply unbelievable the success the Hoosiers have had historically. This year marks the Hoosiers’ 50th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, their (NCAA Record) 25th overall national seeding in an NCAA Tournament, and their (NCAA Record) 39th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. All this behind the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (Palmer Ault), two players on All-Big Ten teams (Palmer Ault and Collins Oduro), All-Freshman performer Colton Swan, and Sportsmanship Honoree Alex Barger.
Check out the team celebrating their selection along with some words from Athletic Director Scott Dolson and Head Coach Todd Yeagley.
The Hoosiers will play their match on Sunday, November 23rd at 12:00 PM ET against either Saint Louis or Kentucky. It will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and tickets are available online if you’d prefer to watch in person at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
If you’re interested in the entire bracket and where Indiana falls specifically, I’ve linked it below as well!
The Hoosiers’ run to the national title begins now. Stay locked in with Hoosier Huddle for all your Indiana Hoosiers’ sports news all the time. Go IU!
Other IU Soccer Reads:
–IU Men’s Soccer Season Preview