So, your first 3 states are Southern, each with much higher % of blacks. Kansas has a HOF coach and outstanding winning tradition, so it's obvious why recruits would be attracted there. NB has similar challenges to IN in that regard and now that they don't have a HOF coach, have similar struggles. Utah: same, only decent when they've had good coaches, and has even bigger hurdles to overcome racially/socially.
I live in NC and have several black friends here. If I mentioned to any of them their thoughts on moving to IN, they're reaction would be: "WTF, why? It's cold, hardly any black folks/community and nothing to do." Again, I'm not saying it can't be overcome, but it is a barrier with a lot of recruits, and I'm sure a lot of kids won't even consider coming to IN, where they might KU because of Self, their success in wins and developing players. Obviously I hope we get back there too, but I think it's ignorant to not think it's a factor. With CMW, we have some advantages in that he's black and played in the NBA. But, he's going to have to succeed at a higher level to keep attracting kids. Might be that with our recent recruiting slump, it's already creeping in. Winning fixes all.
Racial Makeup by State