IU Men's Soccer News and Notes

[OliviaPope40 7,589]

Does anybody know why for the men's tournament they take the top four? The women's tournament had the top twelve. 

[Brass Cannon 26,421]

Fingers crossed this team can channel some 2013 magic 

[Aaron 4,671]

On 11/8/2025 at 9:24 AM, Brass Cannon said:

Fingers crossed this team can channel some 2013 magic 

Totally different. In 2013, IU had to win the Big Ten Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament and was the only time finishing below .500 overall since going varsity in 1973. They then lost in the first round on the road and one of only three times they were not seeded in the last couple of decades and only time since 2001 without at least one home game in the postseason. 

This time, they will absolutely be seeded with a top-10 RPI and undefeated in non-conference. The only question is if they can get a top-8 seed and get that second home game for the Sweet 16. The round of 32 is a locked-in home game.

The year you should compare not to 2013 but one year later, in 2014. In 2014, they ran the table in the non-conference and were mid-pack in the Big Ten, but got a very high NCAA seed off the non-conference games, which will happen again. However, don't want to repeat the NCAA results as the Hoosiers were upset by Xavier in the round of 32, and this is the last time they didn't win a postseason game and make at least the Sweet 16.

Could literally see the squad use their scoring to get to the college cup, or the struggling backline and goalie knock them out in the first game. Both outcomes are equally likely for this iteration of the team. 

You may have also meant 2012 when the team struggled down the stretch, but won their last national title by getting hot in the postseason. That team was the final one earning a seed at no. 16. I expect them to be inside the top-10 this time, if not top-8, for that second home game to be guaranteed.

[Aaron 4,671]

On 11/8/2025 at 9:03 AM, OliviaPope40 said:

Does anybody know why for the men's tournament they take the top four? The women's tournament had the top twelve. 

11 teams in men vs. all 18 in women. Both exclude about same number of teams for this year. Men was top-eight till now but was condensed down to four for some reason this fall.

[8bucks 7,674]

On 11/7/2025 at 10:37 PM, Aaron said:

See everyone for the NCAA Tournament. IU will still host at least one game and maybe two, as they are right on the fringe of the top eight. The Big Ten Tourney has zero to do with NCAA seeding.

In general, though, college soccer is not fun to watch right now. The talent drain and basically no defense across the board feels like watching the FIFA Video game instead of real soccer, with the amount of scoring and easy shots. While I love cheering for IU, watching the sport at the college level is painful.

Either the sport needs to listen to the USA Soccer Federation and work with them to take their recommendations to get the top talent again, or fold up shop. Right now product is unbearable, and this is no fault of Indiana. They get the top talent of those making it to college, but that starts pretty far down the rankings. 

If the talent pool,is thin wouldn’t that help schools like IU and allow a few top schools to separate from the rest?

[Aaron 4,671]

1 hour ago, 8bucks said:

If the talent pool,is thin wouldn’t that help schools like IU and allow a few top schools to separate from the rest?

Not really. Especially with all the second-tier international players infiltrating college soccer. It's why random mid-majors have suddenly become elite.