Indiana reportedly among top 15 college basketball programs in roster spending

Is Indiana basketball the biggest spender on its 2026-27 roster? No, but the Hoosiers don’t lack for resources.

In a new report from CBS Sports, IU is in the “second tier” of roster spending at just under $20 million. That group includes Arkansas, Kansas and Connecticut. CBS places 11 programs in its top tier, spending more than $20 million.

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Here’s what the report says about the Hoosiers:

“Indiana was a big spender ahead of a big second season for (coach) Darian DeVries, but despite many a Big Ten foe believing otherwise, IU did not hit the $20 million mark. Will the investment pay off with a team worthy of Top 25 status more weeks than not this season? The Hoosiers are one of only two teams that comfortably rank in the top 15 in spending but are not ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. (North Carolina, under a first-year coach, is the other.)”

CBS used more than 100 sources during several weeks of research to gauge college basketball roster spending for 79 power conference teams and Gonzaga. The average roster costs $13.5 million this season, up from about $7 million last season. These are based on every team’s current roster and their players’ maximum earnings potential.

The average Big Ten school spends $12.7 million on its roster, lower than the SEC and the Big East, but more than the Big 12 and ACC.

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CBS notes that fifth-year players who are currently permitted to play count toward a team’s total, so that could fluctuate. Also, player incentives could change a team’s spending total at the end of the season.

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Indiana basketball hosts North Carolina in exhibition game

North Carolina Tar Heels center Sayon Keita (21) attempts a dunk Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, during the first half of an exhibition game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

(Grace Smith/IndyStar)

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Indiana basketball hosts North Carolina in exhibition game

North Carolina Tar Heels center Sayon Keita (21) attempts a dunk Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, during the first half of an exhibition…

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Publish date : 2026-10-23 08:20:00

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