The state fairgrounds arena was deafening as IU Indy’s men’s basketball team took the court for its fourth game of the season.
As part of a statewide reading challenge, thousands of third graders from schools across the city were in the stands to cheer on the Jags as they faced IU Columbus.
But students weren’t the only ones watching. On social media, college basketball diehards tuned into the IU showdown — at 11 a.m. on a Tuesday.
we have found the solution to the MALE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC
it’s iu Indy men’s basketball
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) November 7, 2025
Since the start of this season, IU Indy’s been gaining a small but vocal contingent of fans on social media who love the team’s fast-paced, high scoring strategy and full-court defensive play — a strategy known in college basketball as “the system.”
This newfound fandom is a bit of a shift for a program that’s historically been well-known for being an easy “under” in sports betting, meaning IU Indy would likely score less points than expected.
“OK IU Indy is must watch TV from here on out,” basketball content creator Ryan Hammer wrote on X during the team’s game against Long Island University. “I’ve never seen a college basketball team play like this…”
IU Indy guard Matt Compas (15) falls while going after the ball during the NCAA ‘Read to the Final Four’ game on Nov. 11, 2025, at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis. IU Indy defeated IU Columbus 121 to 77. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
IU Indy forward Kameron Tinsley (20) dunks the ball against IU Columbus during the NCAA ‘Read to the Final Four’ game on Nov. 11, 2025, at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis. IU Indy defeated IU Columbus 121 to 77. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
IU Indy forward Reece Hagy (1) rebounds the ball during the NCAA ‘Read to the Final Four’ game on Nov. 11, 2025, at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis. IU Indy defeated IU Columbus 121 to 77. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
IU Indy forward Aiden Miller (23) shoots the ball during the NCAA ‘Read to the Final Four’ game on Nov. 11, 2025, at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis. IU Indy defeated IU Columbus 121 to 77. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
IU Indianapolis athletic director Luke Bosso hopes this new style will give IU Indy an edge in a college sports ecosystem now complicated by name, image and likeness deals.
“Buckle up. It’s gonna be a good time,” Bosso said. “We can compete in this league, and we’re excited to do that.”
IUPUI’s basketball legacy
It’s been a tumultuous few years for IU Indy’s basketball program.
New head coach Ben Howlett is the team’s third leader in just over a year, replacing Paul Cosaro, who was hired in 2024. Cosaro was fired earlier this year after IU said an investigation found that Cosaro had mistreated student athletes. He’s now suing IU for defamation.
Despite these challenges, Howlett came to IU Indy with relentless optimism.
“Truth of the matter is, I think we can win here,” Howlett told Mirror Indy. “It’s always fun to build a program and make them a winner.”
IU Indy head coach Ben Howlett talks to his team during a time out during the NCAA ‘Read to the Final Four’ game on Nov. 11, 2025, at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis. IU Indy defeated IU Columbus 121 to 77. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Despite a 0-3 start to the season, with losses against big names like Butler and Ohio State, it appears IU Indy’s luck might be turning around.
Fueled by the cheers of elementary schoolers, IU Indy got its first win of the season over IU Columbus last week, scoring 121 points — just one point shy of the all-time program record.
This is also the first time that IU Indy has scored at least 80 points in the first four games of the season since joining Division I in 1998.
Before coming to Indianapolis, Howlett was the head coach at Division II West Liberty University, where he also played in college. Though this breakneck speed of basketball isn’t the most common, it’s what he played and has always coached.
“It’s what I know,” he said. “It wins at a high level. I think the people here wanted a different brand of basketball, so that’s what we’re going to give to them.”
Third-grade students from around Indianapolis cheer during the NCAA ‘Read to the Final Four’ game on Nov. 11, 2025, at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis. IU Indy defeated IU Columbus 121 to 77.
Team spirit
For Micah Davis, Howlett’s reputation for coaching fast-paced basketball is what convinced him to transfer.
Davis played at Eastern Kentucky for his first year of college, but when he saw Howlett was hired, he knew he wanted to be a part of what IU Indy was building.
“It’s a fun way to play,” Davis said, “if you’re a guard like me and you want to be everywhere.”
As for the social media chatter, Davis has been following it a bit. In one post, he saw someone call the team “psycho, or something.”
“I like that they said that,” Davis said. “It just shows who we are and that we’re everywhere on the court and we’re ready to play at all times.”
IU Indy guard Micah Davis (4) attempts to make a basket against IU Columbus during the NCAA ‘Read to the Final Four’ game on Nov. 11, 2025, at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis. IU Indy defeated IU Columbus 121 to 77. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Ajay Holubar, the only Jaguars player who was on the team last year, hopes the hype around the team will fuel their success throughout the season.
“It’s good to at least know that people are seeing what we’re doing,” Holubar said.
He hopes the momentum from their first win will set them up to hit their stride through the rest of the season and, eventually, get to March Madness.
“I just hope we can continue to get better,” he said.
Upcoming games
IU Indianapolis plays Charleston Southern University at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The Jags’ next home game will be against Morehead State at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 at the IU Indianapolis gymnasium, 901 W. New York St.
Economics reporter Tyler Fenwick contributed to this story.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus. Contact Claire by email claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org, on most social media @clairerafford or on Signal 317-759-0429.
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