Indiana Hoosiers Championship Seasons in Review
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1940 National Champs: Although it was Purdue that won the Big 10 title in 1940, Indiana
overcame a 2nd place conference finish to go and win the national title. Indiana defeated
Kansas in the title game by a 60-42 score. The 1940 NCAA Tournament was only in its
2nd year. The Hoosiers were led by head Coach Branch McCraken, just 10-years
removed from his All-American career at IU.
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1953 National Champs: Known as the Hurryin' Hoosiers, Indiana won the 1953 national
championship under the direction of head coach Branch McCracken. Indiana beat the
Kansas Jayhawks 69-68 in the national championship game.
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1976 National Champs: Bobby Knights first national championship Indiana team posted
a perfect 32-0 record that concluded with a 86-68 win over Michigan in the national
championship game. Scott May not only led the Hoosiers' charge throughout the
season, but he was also named the National Player of the Year. Other key figures on
this team were guard Quinn Buckner and center Kent Benson.
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1981 National Champs: Guard Isiah Thomas was the driving force behind Indiana's
1981 national championship squad. Although the Hoosiers struggled early in the
season, they eventually found their stride with strong defensive efforts. The Hoosiers
avenged a December loss to North Carolina to beat them in the NCAA title game for
Indiana's 2nd championship title in six years. Thomas averaged 16 points per game
and 5.8 assists per game.
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1987 National Champs: Coach Bobby Knight produced another national in 1987 as the
Steve Alford-led squad posted a 30-4 record. The championship season culminated
with a thrilling championship game that featured Keith Smart's last second shot that
defeated Syracuse. Alford led the team with 22 points per game, 3.6 assists per outing
and shot a blazing 55% from the 3-point line.
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