Indiana State 2026–2027 Season Preview
Up Next: Indiana State University
2025–2026 Recap
It wasn't that long ago Indiana State was the story of the Missouri Valley Conference. Last season, however, felt much different. Unfortunately, Matthew Graves missed a large portion of the season due to a health issue, he returned to the sideline the night they traveled to Valparaiso.
The Sycamores finished just 11–21 overall and 4–16 in MVC play, ending the year in 10th place and exiting Arch Madness in the opening round. Under Matthew Graves, Year 2 never seemed to gain much traction as Indiana State struggled to establish a consistent identity on either end of the floor.
While there were flashes throughout the season, the Sycamores often found themselves caught between rebuilding and competing. They lacked the offensive firepower of recent Indiana State teams and struggled to consistently defend quality MVC opponents.
The result was a season that left plenty of questions heading into the offseason.
Offseason Turnover
Like many teams in today's MVC, Indiana State saw significant roster movement, maybe most of any team.
Departures
- Zyair Greene (Unknown)
- Jo Van Buggenhout (Sacred Heart)
- Hunter Harding (Elon)
- Camp Wagner (UC San Diego)
- Enel St. Bernard (Sam Houston)
- Bruno Alocen (Valparaiso)
- Derek Vorst (Cleveland State)
- Jayan Walker (Alcorn State)
- Caden Huttenlocker (Unknown)
- Ian Scott (Graduation)
- Sterling Young (Graduation)
That's a considerable amount of experience and minutes walking out the door.
Perhaps more importantly, Indiana State lost several players who were expected to be foundational pieces when Graves initially took over the program. This offseason felt less like tweaking a roster and more like another major reset.
What Returns?
After scouring the roster, I believe Indiana State has 1 returner from last season. Martin Kaupanger who did not see the floor, redshirting his first season in Terre Haute.
Key Additions
EJ McQuillan (Sr. 6-4 G – LSU Alexandria)
Arguably the most important addition.
McQuillan arrives after averaging over 20 points per game at the NAIA level and brings legitimate scoring production. He's capable of creating his own shot and should immediately become one of Indiana State's primary offensive options.
The question isn't whether he can score.
It's whether that production translates against MVC athletes every night.
Karmani Gregory (Sr. 6-1 G – USC Upstate)
Veteran guard who brings experience and toughness to the backcourt.
Indiana State desperately needed a stabilizing presence at point guard, and Gregory has a chance to provide exactly that. Not necessarily a star, but someone who can organize the offense and keep the team functioning.
Greyson Pritzl (Sr. 6-4 F – Lander)
Productive lower-level scorer who gives Indiana State another experienced option.
Projects as a versatile wing who can contribute offensively and provide some needed maturity to a roster filled with moving pieces.
Jackson Cooper (Sr. 6-7 F – Oregon Tech)
One of the more intriguing additions.
A highly productive scorer at Oregon Tech, Cooper averaged nearly 18 points per game and brings offensive versatility that Indiana State lacked at times last season.
If his scoring translates, he could become one of the better frontcourt additions in the Valley.
Chance Puryear (So. 6-7 SF – SMU)
Interesting upside play.
Former high-major recruit with length and athletic tools. Production hasn't caught up with the talent yet, but the ceiling is obvious.
This feels like exactly the type of transfer Indiana State needs to hit on.
Aleksa Vlajic (So. 6-9 F/C – Buffalo)
Provides size and developmental upside in the frontcourt.
The Sycamores needed bodies inside after losing Harding and Vorst, and Vlajic gives them a piece that could grow into a significant role.
Maguire Mitchell (So. 6-5 G – IU Indy)
Athletic wing with room to develop.
Could carve out a valuable rotation role if his perimeter game continues to improve.
Duce Paschal (So. 6-5 G/F – Weber State)
Another upside wing who fits the modern MVC mold.
Length, athleticism, defensive versatility, and some offensive potential.
Meechie White (Sr. 6-1 G – Eastern Illinois)
White looks like the type of veteran guard every MVC team wants.
He may not be an All-League star, but he has the tools to be a double-digit scorer and reliable backcourt piece who wins games with experience and toughness.
Alessio Calamita (Jr. 6-10 F - FC Bayern Munuch)
Calamita is a high-upside addition. If the transition from European basketball goes smoothly, he has the tools to become a versatile frontcourt contributor and difficult matchup in the Valley.
Incoming Freshman:
EJ Hazelett
Ian Thomas
Kade Speckman
What Is Indiana State This Year?
That's honestly one of the tougher questions in the league.
Unlike teams such as Valparaiso or Illinois State that have established cores returning, Indiana State is still trying to identify who its foundational pieces are. Indiana State returns 0 minutes played. Indiana State could be anything.
Key Questions
- Can EJ McQuillan become a legitimate MVC-level scorer?
- Does Indiana State make Arch Madness?
- Can Indiana State replace the production lost in the frontcourt?
- Which of the younger transfers emerge as impact players?
- Is Matthew Graves able to take a meaningful step forward in Year 3 or is he on the “Hot Seat” in 2027?
Outlook
Indiana State is a team I can’t get a read on. There are several intriguing upside pieces.
The problem is that almost every key contributor is arriving from another program and another level. The ceiling feels higher than last year's team, but the floor feels even lower if the newcomers struggle to adjust.
Projection
This feels like a team that can climb out of the Valley basement but still has a lot of work to do before becoming a serious contender.
Preseason Range: 7–10 in the Valley
If the transfers click quickly, a middle-of-the-pack finish is possible.
If they don't, Indiana State could find itself battling just to make it to St. Louis
Final Thought
Indiana State enters 2026–27 as one of the MVC's biggest questions.
The Sycamores have enough new talent to look significantly different than the team that finished 10th a year ago, but almost everything hinges on transfer evaluation and player development. There is reason for optimism in Terre Haute, but until this group proves it can win consistently at the Valley level, it's hard to project them anywhere but the back half of the conference.
This feels like a season where progress matters as much as wins. If Graves can establish a clear identity and turn this collection of newcomers into a competitive MVC team, the foundation may finally start pointing back in the right direction.