Indiana University Indianapolis men’s basketball head coach Ben Howlett is excited about the future of the program.

Ben Howlett joins IU Indianapolis after eight seasons as head coach of the West Liberty University men's basketball team. Photo by West Liberty UniversityHowlett was named to the position in May, after a successful eight seasons as men’s basketball head coach at West Liberty University in West Virginia. During his tenure leading the Hilltoppers, the team had a 217-37 record, won eight Mountain East Conference regular-season titles and advanced to the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship game.

IU Indianapolis Today talked to Howlett about goals for the team, building connections, and how the campus community can support the program.

Question: How are things progressing with the team so far?

Answer: We constructed basically a whole new roster within a two-month period, and the guys have been great. It’s a whole new system, and they’re doing a good job of soaking everything in. I’m also really enjoying getting to know the team on a personal level.

Q: What appealed to you about coaching at IU Indianapolis?

A: Coaching here is a great opportunity for many reasons. The new James T. Morris Arena is going to be a terrific venue, and it reflects the university’s commitment to the program and the campus. Of course, this is an attractive destination because Indianapolis is a basketball city, and Indiana is a basketball state. And I’ve always wanted to go somewhere and flip the culture into a winning program.

Q: What can fans expect when the team takes the court?

A: We play a different style of basketball; we’re very up tempo. We’re going to be the hunters rather than the hunted; we’re going to guard 94 feet and press for 40 minutes. From an offensive standpoint, we’re going to score a lot of points.

I think it’s a fan-friendly style of play, and we have a track record of winning a lot of basketball games.

Q: What do you want the campus community to know about you as a coach?

A: I try to recruit not only good basketball players, but good kids as well — student-athletes that I don’t have to worry about and that take care of business in the classroom. I’m an intense guy, but I’m going to do it the right way, and I’m going to make sure we treat people the right way both on and off the court.

Q: What can the campus community do to support the program?

A: Get out to the games! It’s rewarding for our players because they put an incredible amount of time and work into the program. To get the support of fellow students, as well as the greater campus community and city, that doesn’t go unnoticed.

It’s not every day that someone cheers for you when you run out of a tunnel. A good crowd also creates a good home-court advantage.

Obviously, we have to do our part. No one wants to watch a losing program. Know that we’re going to do our best to represent the campus the right way, and having fans out there cheering us on can make a big impact.