IU basketball 2025-26 non-conference opponent preview: Kansas State

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IU basketball’s 2025-26 non-conference schedule was finalized on July 1 and Inside the Hall will have a team-by-team look at each opponent. Today: Kansas State.

The Darian DeVries era in Bloomington will tip off with a challenging non-conference schedule. With four high-major opponents on the slate, including two neutral-site battles and a true road game, the Hoosiers will be tested early. This mini-series on IU’s non-conference opponents for next season will examine the four high-major opponents and review the rest of the schedule.

Previously: Marquette

Today: Kansas State (16-17 overall, 9-11 in conference play in 2024-25)

Despite bringing in the No. 12 transfer class in the 247sports team rankings last season, Kansas State failed to make use of its talent. Hauling in Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins, former 5-star and Arkansas transfer Baye Fall and Michigan guard Dug McDaniel, the Wildcats finished the season sub-.500 with a 16-17 mark and didn’t participate in any postseason.

Kansas State roster outlook

Despite last year’s flop of a season, Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang had no fear spending big in the portal and retooling the roster. With just three returnees from last season, he had no choice.

Prioritizing transfers over high school recruits, Tang pieced together the No. 4 transfer class in the 247sports rankings and the Wildcats’ overall class comes in at No. 35.

Memphis transfer PJ Haggerty – the No. 2 player in the portal – committed to Kansas State in late May after a dramatic process with a high asking price. Demanding $4 million in NIL, Haggerty ultimately received an estimate of $2.5 million, per Adam Zagoria.

An All-American last season, Haggerty posted 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on 46.7 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from deep.

While he is the prized possession, Haggerty isn’t the only gem of the Wildcats’ class. Akron transfer guard Nate Johnson and Monmouth transfer guard Abdi Bashir Jr. both rank inside the portal’s top 100 recruits.

Johnson averaged 14 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while Bashir Jr. produced 20.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest and shot 38.1 percent from long range on 10.1 attempts per game.

UNC-Wilmington forward Khamari McGriff and Memphis forward Tyreek Smith round out the rest of the transfers. Smith never played at Memphis and is waiting on a waiver for the 2025-26 season. In a four-man high school class, the Wildcats bring in two 3-star recruits and unranked international prospects: Serbian guard Andrej Kostic and German forward Elias Rapieque.

Haggerty may repeat as an All-American, but he may not be the biggest star in Manhattan. Kostic is mocked as a first-round pick for the 2026 NBA draft by ESPN and his scouting report describes him as an excellent facilitator and ball handler who can get downhill to the rim.

The matchup

Both teams are guard-heavy and will likely be perimeter-centric offensively. The Wildcats may run as many as four guards in the starting lineup, taking advantage of tremendous depth at the position and a lack of size. Whether it be shots from the outside or the smaller guys attacking the rim, expect each team’s guards to carry the load.

Just as Indiana’s 6-foot-10 Reed Bailey stands the tallest Hoosier, JUCO pickup 6-foot-10 Stephen Osei is the biggest Wildcat on the roster. Rim protection will be lacking on both ends and the rebounding battle will be key to monitor. Haggerty, a 6-foot-3 guard, averaged the most rebounds last year at the Division I level on Kansas State’s current roster.

With the matchup taking place in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, IU will have the home court advantage that will prove key. Last year, Tang’s squad was just 3-9 on the road and a trip to one of college basketball’s most historic venues plus a raucous environment will prove challenging.

These programs share similar preseason metrics, with Indiana ranked No. 42 and Kansas State at No. 56 in Bart Torvik’s 2026 projections. The Hoosiers and Wildcats face off on Nov. 25.

Category: Schedule

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