BOSTON, Ma. - Indiana State head coach Josh Schertz has been named a finalist for the two coach of the year awards: 2023-24 Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year and 2024 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year, announced by College Insider, Inc.

Coach Schertz is among 19 other finalists for the Hugh Durham award. It is named in honor of the former Florida State, Georgia, and Jacksonville head coach. This is awarded to the top mid-major head coach in college basketball.

He is one of 20 finalists for the Jim Phelan award. The Jim Phelan award is named in honor of a legendary bow-tied coach who spent his entire head coaching career at Mount Saint Mary's University. This is awarded to the top head coach in Division I college basketball.

Coach Schertz has been named as a finalist for the 2024 Werner Ladder Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year, and most recently has been named the NABC District 16 Coach of the Year. At the MVC Tournament Banquet, he was named the league's Coach of the Year. His five usual starters were all awarded All-MVC honors (Robbie Avila, Ryan Conwell, Isaiah Swope, Jayson Kent, and Julian Larry). Conwell won Newcomer of the Year, while Xavier Bledson won the league's Sixth Man of the Year award. Conwell and Swope were named to the All Newcomer Team, while Larry and Kent were named to the Defensive Team.

The Sycamores had the best season since 1978-79, with a season record of 28-6. The 28 wins are the second-most in program history, while the 17 wins in league play set a program record.

For the first time since the '78-'79 season, the Trees found themselves among the top 25 in the nation, ranking No. 23 in the AP Top 25 and No. 24 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches poll. Indiana State also led the Collegeinsider.com mid-major poll for three weeks.

Indiana State led the MVC in multiple categories in back-to-back seasons:

• Scoring offense (84.4 PPG)
• Field goal percentage (50.5%)
• Assists (594)
• Three-pointers made (373)

Indiana State finished the regular season leading the MVC in multiple categories: scoring offense (84.4 PPG), scoring margin (+12.41), free throw percentage (79.7%), field goal percentage (50.5%), three-point field goal percentage (38.5%), three-pointers made (373), three-pointers per game (10.97), total assists (594), and assists per game (17.5). The Sycamores were No. 1 in the league for both offensive and defensive efficiency. 

Coach Schertz and Indiana State earned a No. 1 seed in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), which kicks off tomorrow, March 20. ISU will host the opening round against SMU at 7 p.m. ET.

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