IBCA coaches poll: Fishers tops Indiana rankings as season heats up

The Indiana Basketball Coaches Association released its Jan. 11 statewide boys’ coaches poll, and Fishers sits atop the list at No. 1 with a 12-0 record. Crown Point follows at No. 2 (10-0) and Carmel checks in at No. 3 (9-0), with the poll listing records, total points and first-place votes for the top 20 teams and several others receiving votes.

Polls like this are a mid-January thermometer for Hoosier hoops. Coaches, fans and local media use the IBCA snapshot to gauge where peer programs stand, to stoke matchup hype and to track momentum heading into the stretch run. For programs near the top, the ranking is recognition of consistency; for teams outside the top 20, receiving votes can fuel confidence and local interest.

The IBCA write-up accompanying the poll called out hot teams and recent streaks driving movement in the rankings, though the central fact remains simple: unbeaten runs and quality wins matter to the people voting. Teams that climb the list usually combine steady defensive work, steady guard play and wins in key nonconference or early conference tests. Those elements also drive seeding conversations and media coverage as January turns to February.

For coaches and staff, the poll is useful as a benchmark, not a bible. It highlights where opponents are perceived to be strongest and can influence scouting priorities and preparation. For student-athletes, rankings can be useful motivation but not a substitute for focusing on fundamentals and game-to-game improvements. For fans, the poll helps shape local narratives and fuels conversation at gyms and on social feeds.

The practical value for the community is immediate: use the poll to plan travel to key matchups, to set scouting emphasis for upcoming opponents and to spotlight players who might be under the radar. Athletic directors and media can use the list to prioritize coverage, while small-town rivalries pick up extra steam when a local program earns votes or breaks into the top 20.

The takeaway? Rankings reflect reputation and results, but they don’t decide games. Treat the IBCA poll as a midseason barometer—something to celebrate, something to challenge, and something to motivate the next practice. Our two cents? Keep your eye on the tape and your feet on the floor; the polls will change, but the fundamentals that win sectionals and beyond are the same.