Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

One former Hoosier won a title. Not only is OG Anunoby an NBA Champion again, but he was a major player in getting his team over the finish line this time.

Also, Inside the Hall launched a series previewing each Big Ten team, Indiana’s season projections, and women’s basketball got a commitment from a recruit. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the IU sports in action, which were led by volleyball announcing its fall schedule.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Former Hoosier OG Anunoby Hits Game Winner In NBA Finals As He Celebrates NBA Championship

• Inside the Hall’s Big Ten Team Preview

• Season Projections

• Women’s Basketball Adds Recruit

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Volleyball Announces Fall Schedule

Banner #1: Former Hoosier OG Anunoby Hits Game Winner In NBA Finals As He Celebrates NBA Championship

While the number of former Hoosier basketball players currently thriving in the NBA is limited, there is one particular exception. This exception is New York Knicks starter OG Anunoby, who was instrumental in his squad’s championship run this week.

Anunoby averaged over 16 points per game in the regular season, which he has upped to over 20 in the playoffs. It could be argued that, outside of superstar Jalen Brunson, Anunoby was the Knicks’ best player in the postseason.

This duo’s play was superb as New York tore through the playoffs, and the reason the franchise’s first banner since 1972 will hang from the rafters. Anunoby himself had the game winner on an offensive rebound this week to help finish off a comeback from 29 points down on Wednesday while scoring 33 points individually. The Knicks concluded their title chase on Saturday as Anunoby hit the game-clinching free throw. He was also interviewed on the ABC broadcast after the buzzer sounded as his squad celebrated.

As Anunoby thrives in the NBA, it is easy to forget his roots began at IU, where he was discovered by former head coach Tom Crean at a camp while scouting Juwan Morgan, being overlooked by the recruiting world. Anunoby then played under Crean for two seasons from 2015-2017 and came on in Big Ten play to help the Hoosiers win the league title his freshman season.

He then missed most of his sophomore year with injury. However, he had shown enough to be drafted by the Toronto Raptors, where his squad won a title despite him being sidelined by appendicitis. Eventually, he joined the Knicks, where he has thrived after developing a three-point shot, despite periodic injuries sidelining him at times.

With his title in New York, he joins Isiah Thomas as the only former Hoosier to win multiple NBA Championships. Anunoby just completed his ninth season in the league, where his career is far from over.

Banner #2: Inside the Hall’s Big Ten Team Preview

Inside the Hall continued a series looking at all the Big Ten squads in detail. This week saw teams projected in the middle of the field previewed in Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland, Oregon, and Purdue.

Banner #3: Season Projections

IU is expected to be much improved this upcoming fall following the offseason roster changes. Projections have Indiana projected relatively highly heading into 2026-2027, both in the Big Ten and nationally. This is after adding a much-improved front court and several top-end transfers that rank very highly.

Banner #4: Women’s Basketball Adds Recruit

While the IU women are in offseason mode, that does not stop them from recruiting. While it is not a big name or anyone with much information on them, the team did add an international prospect this week in Camille Pangonis for 2027.

The squad also found out who their home and away opponents will be for conference play this season. The 18-game slate features the permanently protected double-play with Purdue and a flip of venues with everyone else from last season.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, Dylan Burkhardt again joined Alex Bozich to discuss the upcoming Big Ten season.

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air several times this week with programming.

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Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

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And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

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Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Volleyball Announces Fall Schedule

• Volleyball announced its fall schedule.

• Baseball revealed where its players will play in the upcoming summer leagues.

• Track and Field finished tied for 35th at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships.

• Field hockey announced a signing and named an associate head coach.

• Women’s tennis promoted a staff member to associate head coach.

• Finally, the Hoosiers had 150 student-athletes honored for their academics by the Big Ten.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

The recently former Hoosiers are taking their shot at the NBA. While they might face an uphill battle, workouts with pro franchises nonetheless took place.

Also, Inside the Hall launched a series previewing each Big Ten team, Indiana’s season projections, and the beginning of preparing for a summer trip to Peru for the Hoosiers. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the IU sports in action, which were led by men’s soccer announcing its fall schedule.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Former Hoosiers Workout For NBA Teams

• Inside the Hall’s Big Ten Team Preview

• Season Projections

• IU To Begin Workouts For Peru Trip

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Football Sets Kickoff Times For First Five Games

Banner #1: Former Hoosiers Workout For NBA Teams

While no recent former Hoosiers are necessarily projected to be drafted, that doesn’t mean teams are not interested in trying them out. Between Summer League contracts, G-League contracts, and two-way deals, the ways into the NBA can go beyond draft night, even if the odds are longer.

This week, both Lamar Wilkerson and Sam Alexis got workouts with NBA teams. This duo was joined by Tucker DeVries, who also showed off his skills for the pros.

Banner #2: Inside the Hall’s Big Ten Team Preview

Inside the Hall started a series looking at all the Big Ten squads in detail. This week saw teams projected near the back of the field previewed in Penn State, Rutgers, Minnesota, Northwestern, and Washington.

Banner #3: Season Projections

IU is expected to be much improved this upcoming fall following the offseason roster changes. Projections have Indiana projected relatively highly heading into 2026-2027, both in the Big Ten and nationally.

This has fans relatively optimistic for the fall. Inside the Hall will provide coverage throughout the season with two new student reporters, Ian Plaskoff and Zach Horwitz.

Banner #4: IU To Begin Workouts For Peru Trip

Many teams are in offseason mode. However, the Hoosiers are in a different spot with competition relatively soon. This is because Indiana will compete this summer as Team USA in Peru as part of the FISU American Games. IU is already working out and preparing for this event.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, Dylan Burkhardt joined Alex Bozich to discuss the upcoming Big Ten season.

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air several times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Men’s Soccer Announces 2026 Fall Schedule

• Men’s soccer announced its upcoming fall schedule.

• Women’s basketball added an assistant coach.

• Volleyball competed on its exhibition foreign tour.

• Softball had its coaches named as the regional coaching staff of the year.

• Swimming and diving will compete in the First College Swimming League Season.

• Wrestling had five Hoosiers earn All-American status at the U20 World Team Trials and U23 Nationals.

• Field hockey announced a signing.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

The show opens with a look back at an unforgettable Indy 500 and some thoughts on why events like that become part of Indiana's identity.

• Why this year's race was one of the most memorable in recent years
• Curt Cignetti's comments on the future of college athletics
• The growing pressure on college sports to figure out NIL and governance

Is Indiana's Roster Actually Better?

This is where the basketball discussion really gets rolling.

• Why the guys think IU largely accomplished what it needed to in the portal
• The additions that could have the biggest impact next season
• How Marcus Burton changes the equation offensively
• What makes this roster feel different from recent IU teams

There's also a deeper conversation about spacing, shot creation, offensive rebounding, and why this team may have more answers when games get tight.

How Much Should Fans Trust the Hype?

Preseason rankings are starting to appear, and Indiana is showing up in some interesting places.

• What the early projections are saying about IU
• Why portal rankings are harder to evaluate than recruiting rankings
• The gap between talent on paper and actual results
• What a successful first full season under Darian DeVries would really look like

Bottom line:

The roster looks better. The projections are encouraging. But as the guys discuss throughout the episode, the real question isn't whether Indiana won the offseason—it's whether all of these pieces can come together once the games start.

This episode brought to you by the Back Home Network and Homefield Apparel.

The YouTube video is below, and you can listen to the audio wherever podcasts are available.

Use these links to subscribe to the podcast:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Amazon Music

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• Don’t see it somewhere you normally listen to podcasts? Let us know.

If you thoughts or comments about the episode, feel free to comment on YouTube video, comment below, or reach out to Mike (@M_Wiemuth_) and Bob (@BobMoats) on Twitter or in our BHN Discord.

Leave a comment

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

The non-conference schedule for IU has continued to take shape for the upcoming fall. It was confirmed this week that the Hoosiers’ matchups with Kentucky and Syracuse in Indianapolis are official.

Also, Inside the Hall continued its series on next season’s roster, an Indiana season preview, and the annual event at Huber’s Winery took place. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, which was led by football announcing times for its early matchups.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Non-Conference Schedule Update

• Inside the Hall’s Transfer Portal Player Spotlight

• Season Preview

• Annual Huber’s Winery Event

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Football Sets Kickoff Times For First Five Games

Banner #1: Non-Conference Schedule Update

The non-conference schedule has continued to take shape for the upcoming fall for IU. The Hoosiers were already scheduled to play Kentucky in Indianapolis.

However, a change to the date was necessary for the contest from Saturday, December 27, to Friday, Nov 20, with tickets available here. This is due to the fact that the Indianapolis Colts have primary tenancy over Lucas Oil Stadium, where the matchup will take place.

The Colts host the Cincinnati Bengals that same December weekend with a TBA date. The NFL’s late-season scheduling rules dictate that this game could take place on either Saturday or Sunday. The league’s strict flexible scheduling procedures do not allow franchises to block out dates or request exemptions for stadium conflicts during December. It is likely Indiana and Kentucky knew this risk when choosing the original date and anticipated that a change might be necessary.

Meanwhile, IU's high-profile clash against Syracuse on Monday, November 9, was confirmed in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, June 4.

It should also be noted that this game faces no risk of a conflict with the Indiana Pacers once the NBA releases its schedule. Under NBA scheduling rules, franchises are explicitly allowed to block out specific dates for secondary arena events, meaning this date should be set in stone.

Other known matchups for IU this coming season are with Eastern Illinois (November 2), Bellarmine (November 5), and Bowling Green (November 27) coming to Bloomington. Other potential games will be announced later this summer, which should include a home game with a power opponent and potentially more neutral-site contests.

Banner #2: Inside the Hall’s Transfer Portal Player Spotlight

Inside the Hall continued a series looking at the incoming transfer players in detail. This week saw Bryce Lindsay and Justin Monden looked at.

Banner #3: Season Preview

IU is expected to be much improved this upcoming fall after the roster changes this offseason. Bart Torvik’s updated rankings have Indiana at No. 26 overall heading into 2026-2027, which would put them safely back in the NCAA Tournament. Torvik’s rankings appear to match consensus, as most other publications have the Hoosiers ranked in a similar spot somewhere in the 20’s.

Banner #4: Annual Huber’s Winery Event

IU held its annual event at Huber’s Winery this week. Indiana coach Darian DeVries was among the speakers, as was the Football coach of the defending national champion Hoosiers, Curt Cignetti.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, the Des Moines Register’s Tyler Tachman joined the program to discuss Iowa’s Elite Eight run.

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air several times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Football Sets Kickoff Times For First Five Games

• Football announced kickoff times for its first five contests.

• Track and field had 19 athletes qualify for the NCAA East Regional, with five advancing to the National Championship.

• Women’s Golf had Sheridan Clancy competing as an individual at the NCAA Championships, where she placed in the top-30 overall.

• Volleyball competed on its exhibition foreign tour.

• Swimming and diving added an assistant coach to its staff.

• Wrestling will have 15 of its athletes competing at the U20 World Team Trials and U23 Nationals.

• Men’s tennis has a couple of its athletes attempting to make the US Open later this summer for the doubles competition. The team also announced a signing for next season.

• Women’s tennis also announced a signing for next season.

• Field hockey announced a signing as well.

• Softball had several of its players earn Academic All-District.

• Water Polo had several of its athletes earn academic honors.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

On Wednesday, and will discuss the Hoosiers’ incoming transfers with another edition of Doing The Work — our show dedicated to the Indiana women’s basketball team.

Watch on our YouTube channel below. (Open the link in YouTube to see a replay of

the show or chat with the WorkAholics during the show.)

Subscribe to Doing The Work

Subscribe to the Doing The Work podcast for free at any of the following places:

• YouTube

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Google Podcasts

• Art19

• Podcast feed RSS (use this to subscribe in any player)

• Search for “doing the work” wherever you listen to podcasts. If you don’t find us, email Jerod.

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

IU may be participating in an elite non-conference tournament in 2027. It was reported this week that the Hoosiers could possibly be part of the Diamond Cup, which will feature many of the top teams in college basketball.

Also, Inside the Hall started a series looking at next season’s roster, Indiana’s freshmen are highly ranked, and a special event celebrated IU Athletics. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, which were led by volleyball announcing a foreign tour.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• IU Could Add Elite Non-Conference Tourney For 2027

• Inside the Hall’s Transfer Portal Player Spotlight

• All Three IU Incoming Freshmen Ranked Highly

• Victory And Vision Event Takes Place In Carmel

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Volleyball Announces Foreign Tour

Banner #1: IU Could Add Elite Non-Conference Tourney For 2027

As the 2026-2027 schedule has started to take shape, an event further down the road for 2027-2028 was reported as a possibility. This preseason tournament would be called the Diamond Cup.

This Diamond Cup could feature some of the top teams in college basketball, along with IU, including Arizona, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, and UConn. Any final announcement on this could come later this summer, and games would be on neutral sites.

It should be noted that the Hoosiers are already scheduled to play Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan in 2027-2028. As a result, it is likely Indiana would be matched up with any of the other four squads should this event come to fruition.

Banner #2: Inside the Hall’s Transfer Portal Player Spotlight

Inside the Hall started a series looking at the incoming transfer players in detail. This week saw Jaeden Mustaf, Darren Harris, Markus Burton, Samet Yigitoglu, and Aiden Sherrell looked at.

Banner #3: All Three IU Incoming Freshmen Ranked Highly

The Hoosiers have three freshmen coming in for 2026-2027. How much this trio of newcomers can contribute remains to be seen.

Most of them are projected relatively highly by the RSCI (Recruiting Services Consensus Index), though. Vaughn Karvala comes in the highest at no. 57 nationally, while the more recently signed Trevor Manhertz comes in just behind at. no. 72, and Prince-Alexander Moody did not make the final top-100 ranking.

Banner #4: Victory And Vision Event Takes Place In Carmel

IU held an event in Carmel recently at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. The gathering titled “Victory and Vision” sold out all 1,600 seats in the Payne & Mencias Palladium. Hoosier Coach Darian DeVries was among the speakers and spoke on a variety of topics.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, CrimsonCast’s Galen Clavio discussed IU’s busy spring in basketball.

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air several times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Volleyball Announces Foreign Tour

• Volleyball announced an immanent foreign tour with exhibition matches in multiple countries.

• Rowing finished seventh at the Big Ten Championships.

• Track and field also competed at the Big Ten Championships and had 19 athletes qualify for the NCAA East Regional.

• Baseball had three players named to the All-Big Ten Team.

• Water Polo had four All-Americans.

• Swimming and diving announced that Luke Ryan was promoted to associate head coach.

• Field hockey announced a signing.

• Wrestling also signed someone.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

IU continues to close in on a full roster for next season. For the second straight week, a new commitment has pledged to the Hoosiers, marking the 12th player to join the squad for next year.

Additionally, Big Ten opponents were announced, all of Indiana’s freshmen are highly ranked, and the Hoosiers once again had strong attendance. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the IU sports in action, which were led by baseball and softball having their seasons end.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• IU Adds 12th Scholarship Player To Roster

• Big Ten Opponents Announced For Next Season

• All Three IU Incoming Freshmen Ranked In Top-100

• Hoosiers Lead Big Ten In Attendance

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Baseball and Softball Seasons Come To An End

Banner #1: IU Adds 12th Scholarship Player To Roster

IU reportedly added its 12th scholarship player for this coming fall. The Hoosiers have their roster nearing completion and are now filling the last few spots on it.

The addition this week is Justin Monden, a six-foot senior guard, who previously played at Maryland East Shore. Here, he averaged 6 points and 1.2 rebounds for them.

Indiana is not the only squad in the Big Ten that has nearly completed filling out its roster. Nearly every conference foe has also done so.

Banner #2: Big Ten Opponents Announced For Next Season

Speaking of conference foes, IU had its schedule breakdown finalized for Big Ten play. The Hoosiers caught a break with how it lays out as they draw Northwestern and Maryland for double plays to go along with the guaranteed home and home series yearly with Purdue.

Also, when it comes to single plays, Indiana avoids having to go to league powers Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, or Los Angeles, drawing all these squads only at home, along with Ohio State and Rutgers. When it comes to road games, the only tougher venues the Hoosiers will have to visit are Nebraska and Wisconsin. Otherwise, it’s trips to somewhat easier places in Iowa, Minnesota, the Pacific Northwest, and Penn State.

Banner #3: All Three IU Incoming Freshmen Ranked In Top-100

The Hoosiers have three freshmen coming in to go with eight transfers (including Monden) and the return of Trent Sisley so far. How much this trio of newcomers can contribute remains to be seen.

However, all of them are projected relatively highly by 247Sports despite not necessarily being blue chippers, as the class ranks no. 21 nationally. Vaughn Karvala comes in the highest at no. 64 nationally, while the more recently signed Trevor Manhertz comes in just behind at. no. 69, and at no. 86 is Prince-Alexander Moodie.

Banner #4: Hoosiers Lead Big Ten In Attendance

While IU generally announces tickets sold when it comes to final attendance, they nonetheless come in very highly nationally in total numbers. With nearly all seats accounted for via season tickets and student sales, Indiana is able to announce sellouts for all the games when school is in session. The only games coming in at less than that are over holiday breaks when the entire student section has to be sold to the general public.

While the total number of people who actually show up at the games appears much lower due to the above, the Hoosiers led the Big Ten in attendance at an average of 15,677 tickets sold per game. This was also good for ninth nationally.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy discusses the Hoosiers portal class.

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air several times this week with programming.

Also, when it comes to the Hoosiers making media appearances recently, incoming point guard Markus Burton appeared nationally on the Field of 68. Also, ITH put together a highlight package for the recently committed Clemens Sokolov.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Baseball and Softball Seasons Come To An End

• Baseball had arguably its worst season in many years come to an end with a series win over Illinois after Purdue closed out a sweep of IU. Assembly Call was on site against the Illini and Boilers, and wrote about how the talent of the last few years has not matched the results, and whether a player development first model is compatible in college.

• Softball was selected to the Knoxville Regional, going 1-2 overall, beating Northern Kentucky but falling twice to Virginia to close their season. It was another successful one as Shonda Stanton’s squad finished 43-16 overall and made the NCAA Tournament for a fourth straight year.

• Women’s golf closed its season by placing eighth at the NCAA’s Simpsonville Regional. However, junior Sheridan Clancy performed strongly here, coming in as the runner-up of the tournament, and will compete as an individual at the NCAA Championships as a result.

• Men’s soccer added an elite forward from the transfer portal for this coming fall.

• Field hockey announced an addition for next season.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

Bart Kaufman Field In Bloomington Where Indiana Plays Its Home Baseball Games

It’s mid-July, and the longtime Bloomington Limestones are a Single A squad in the MLB Minor Leagues that use Bart Kaufman Field in the summer to develop talent and play as all the boys of summer do. Fans love the squad, and it has sent multiple pros to the next level. However, the humble beginnings for these prospects are with the Limestones, where the players made mistakes and grew up before our eyes, while results didn’t matter. The fans who come every year under head coach Jeff Mercer love the relationship with the squad and enjoy the $1 hot dog promotions and fireworks on a beautiful Friday night.

It’s a beautiful utopia of a baseball factory. The only problem? The Limestones don’t exist, and it is what Mercer has now created with IU baseball, essentially.

Back in the real world, the Hoosiers are not the Limestones, and they compete in the Big Ten in somewhat unpredictable spring weather, and results do matter to many fans and alumni who see the IU logo on the jersey. Unfortunately, this is the conundrum for a program that has sent 31 picks, including 17 pitchers, to the draft during Mercer’s tenure, which is now in its eighth season.

While the development is top notch, it often seems player development trumps winning in Mercer’s world. Despite having all these pros, the results on the field are much less successful. The team has not won the league since 2019 despite having the best talent during this time. Furthermore, they have made an NCAA Regional just twice in the last seven seasons during Mercer’s tenure, and one of those invitations was slightly controversial with athletic director Scott Dolson on the selection committee for a bubble squad.

This comes after going to the postseason every single year between 2013 and 2019, save for 2016. Also, the program went without a losing record overall in a single season between 2008 and 2021. Now that 2026 has concluded, it is the second time in the past five seasons that the final standings have the squad below .500 for the entire year and towards the very bottom of the league.

Furthermore, IU had not missed the conference tournament since 2011. Now, even that impressive streak comes to an end as the decline in results continues.

The disconnect in the results is the previously mentioned 17 pitchers drafted, yet team ERAs are generally near the bottom of the conference. Also, an above average amount of defensive errors at the wrong time always seem to occur. This leaves fans to wonder if the radar gun and analytics that pro scouts prioritize are more important in Bloomington than the raw results on the field.

This is not the first time an experiment of this kind in college seems to prioritize development over results. For IU fans, they need to look no further than three hours south to another basketball-first school in Lexington. However, for this university, the disconnect was on the court with John Calipari in that place’s primary sport.

Calipari famously told Kentucky fans that his greatest achievement was the number of players he sent to the NBA, not the number of trophies he put in the case. While this model worked for a while, it eventually led to the end of his tenure when Wildcats fans got worn out over results not matching talent.

It should be noted that college baseball is not college basketball, and the pressure to win on the diamond is much less. However, this does not mean fans enjoy what is going on at IU, where results not matching talent have led to increasingly diminishing attendance, even on nice weather days.

It should also be mentioned, though, that there seem to be sections of the fan base who do show up still and don’t mind the current model. However, for casual Hoosier supporters, this player development first mentality will not come close to filling Bart Kaufman Field.

Contrast this with what is across the street at Andy Mohr Field. Here, softball coach Shonda Stanton has built a program no one before her has managed to do since the 1980’s in that sport in Bloomington. While the talent may not be as high, the results are top notch, and an identity and culture have been built based on elite power and stealing bases, which has resulted in yearly postseason appearances. The joy and energy seen in the dugout here are also palpable as every pitch is thrown.

The question for Mercer here is what identity or culture he has created outside of getting players to the pros. This is the situation the athletic department will have to consider, and whether that is enough to stick with the current regime. It is a safe option in the NIL world where every dollar saved can go to sports that produce more revenue than Big Ten baseball does, and Mercer’s lab is working exactly as he intends.

Mercer emphasized they are developing players to be pros as part of the college baseball cycle.

“We’ve had 9 or 10 pitchers drafted,” Mercer said. “We lose a lot of guys to the draft and most pitching staffs are running six to nine games out on a weekend. You have your “A” group, and you are trying to develop that next group. We have to continue to recruit and develop.”

It comes down to whether creating a minor league experience of development first is compatible with a college atmosphere. This is the decision facing IU athletic director Scott Dolson this summer, and there are certainly arguments either way on where to go.

Mercer and his staff are arguably the best technical ‘heart surgeons’ in the college game. They can fix a pitcher’s spin axis with their eyes closed and have their players time up and crush pro prospects’ fastballs like no one else. But being a Big Ten head coach is brain surgery—it’s about the whole system, the culture, the weather, and most importantly, the scoreboard, where hitting off speed college pitching is equally important. The administration will have to ask if they’re paying for surgeons when they need general doctors.

An argument can be made either way, and it’s an unenviable position to be in. However, when you have the college ball Hoosiers and not the fictional Single A Limestones, it’s a decision that must be made carefully.

If IU decides to make a change, though, there is an ideal candidate sitting over in Oxford, Ohio, at Miami University, 90 miles to the East. His name is Brian Smiley, and he is a 41-year-old Indiana Native who spent many years under two of the most respected coaches in the game, Rick Heller and Mitch Hannahs, at Indiana State. Since taking the job with the RedHawks, he has turned them around into conference elites for the first time in a couple of decades and got them back to the NCAA Tournament.

What happened 20 years prior, though, is why he is such a perfect fit. This is the last time Miami (OH) was a relevant mid-major under a guy every Hoosier fan has heard of by the name of Tracy Smith, who built IU into a Big Ten power from ground zero upon taking the job.

Between him and Terry Hoeppner, Bloomington has had good luck with guys from this University, and Smiley could be the latest. This contrasts with schools in Dayton (Wright State and University of Dayton), which are always mid-major powers, and coaches here have seemingly struggled at the next level between Archie Miller and now Mercer. IU has spent too long looking for the next ‘Golden Child’ from the Dayton monopoly. It’s time they returned to the Oxford blueprint if it is decided that a change in leadership is needed.

There is an argument to be made that the Hoosiers are the best job in the Big Ten Conference outside of the West Coast schools and Nebraska. Given the much milder spring weather than other Big Ten programs and the lack of competition from an MLB squad, Bloomington offers the only program with this combination, along with the Cornhuskers, that is not on the Pacific Coast. They also have a relatively new stadium in Bart Kaufman Field that Smith ensured got built less than 15 years ago.

Again, if this were the Limestones, Mercer would be the ideal guy, and the decision would be easy if he were the right man for the job. However, as a college baseball program, results seemingly matter to many fans, and right now, a noticeable decline in winning is occurring despite all the talent brought in and pros being churned out.

Mercer emphasized his plan of development as his staff come from pro organizations who would like them to return there later.

“You look at (former pitching coach) Dustin Glant that has been here the last four or five years is in the big leagues now,” Mercer said. “(Current pitching coach) Matt Myers was the minor league pitching coach of the year for the Pirates. (Assistant Coach/Pitching & Catching) Denton Sagerman every professional organization in the country calls and tries to hire (him).”

All of this seems to lead to the conclusion that Mercer is a baseball development savant in a manager role who knows analytics like the back of his hand. The question is whether Indiana is OK with this in the context of college sports, where rosters are always transient and wins are arguably paramount.

_____________________________________________________________________

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The crew opens with something Indiana fans haven’t had in a while during May: actual basketball stuff to look forward to.

Between the Peru trip, summer practices, and a roster that finally looks balanced on paper, there’s a real sense of momentum around the program.

• Why the Peru trip could end up being way more important than just “extra games”
• The hidden value of IU adding “practice body” depth pieces late in the portal cycle
• How Darian DeVries may have quietly overachieved in the transfer portal
• Why this roster feels fundamentally different from some recent IU teams
• The discussion turns into a surprisingly optimistic conversation about fit, shooting, and actual roster construction

There’s also some fun reflection on the current state of IU athletics overall — from football momentum to the feeling that Indiana is finally showing up in national conversations for positive reasons again.

And yes… the guys briefly spiral into memories of the 1992 Final Four loss to Duke, because some wounds apparently never heal.

Segment 2: The Big Ten Schedule Is Out… and IU Might’ve Actually Caught a Break

The conference opponents are officially set, and the panel wastes no time dissecting what’s good, what’s dangerous, and what could become sneaky problem spots.

A few major themes emerge quickly:

• Not having to visit Illinois, Michigan, and Michigan State feels enormous
• Why this schedule may set up well for a first-year roster still learning how to play together
• The road games everyone says are “winnable”… but somehow never feel comfortable
• An unfortunate amount of skepticism about beating Northwestern despite their roster turnover
• Wisconsin in Madison somehow turns into its own emotional subplot

The conversation eventually drifts into way-too-early Big Ten record predictions, and suddenly the panel is casually throwing around numbers that would represent Indiana’s best conference season in years.

Some restraint is attempted. It does not last long.

Segment 3: NCAA Tournament Expansion, College Basketball Chaos, and Coach Wants Golf Partners

The final segment tackles the looming NCAA Tournament expansion debate, and the conversation gets surprisingly thoughtful about what the tournament should actually represent.

Topics include:

• Why expanding the field feels inevitable whether fans like it or not
• The biggest issue with the current “First Four” setup
• A genuinely interesting idea for helping mid-major teams and preserving tournament magic
• Why the NCAA still doesn’t know how to properly treat smaller schools that earn tournament bids
• The guys accidentally workshop better tournament formats than the NCAA itself

And in true offseason fashion, the episode closes with:

• Indy 500 talk
• summer basketball plans
• podcast updates
• retirement excitement
• And Coach Tonsoni openly recruiting Assembly Call listeners to play golf with him around Indiana

Which honestly feels exactly right for a mid-May IU basketball show.

Live Show and Replay

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Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

IU continues to close in on a full roster for next season. After a couple of weeks without a new commitment, the Hoosiers finally received a pledge from the 11th player to their squad for next year.

Additionally, all of Indiana’s freshmen are highly ranked, the rest of IU’s outgoing transfers have found new homes, and we look ahead to next season. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, which was led by softball, awaiting its NCAA Tourney selection later today.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• IU Adds 11th Scholarship Player To Roster

• All Three IU Incoming Freshmen Ranked In Top-150

• Rest Of IU Transfers Find New Home

• 2026-2027 Season Preview

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Softball Awaits NCAA Tournament Selection

Banner #1: IU Adds 11th Scholarship Player To Roster

While not the splash moves of previous portal additions, IU reportedly added its 11th scholarship player for this coming fall. The Hoosiers already have their primary big men for next season, but they seemingly added a backup here to compete for rotation minutes off the bench.

This addition comes in the form of 19-year-old Clemens Sokolov, who previously played in Europe for Wuerzburg in Germany’s ProB league. Here, he averaged 6.4 points and 5 rebounds for this squad.

Banner #2: All Three IU Incoming Freshmen Ranked In Top-150

The Hoosiers have three freshmen coming in to go with seven transfers (including Sokolov) and the return of Trent Sisley so far. How much this trio of newcomers can contribute remains to be seen.

However, all of them are projected relatively highly by On3/Rivals despite not necessarily being blue chippers as the class ranks no. 20 nationally. The recently signed Trevor Manhertz comes in highest at no. 78 while Vaughn Karvala slides in just behind him at no. 81. Meanwhile, Prince-Alexander Moodie rounds out at no. 101.

Banner #3: Rest Of IU Transfers Find New Home

Jason Drake, Jasai Miles, Josh Harris, Nick Dorn, Andrej Acimovic, and Aleksa Ristic all left IU this offseason and entered the transfer portal. Now all of them have new destinations.

After Harris, Ristic, Drake, and Dorn announced their new schools last week, Miles and Acimovic made there’s known in the last few days. Miles will head to Loyola Marymount while Acimovic will move to Missouri State.

Banner #4: 2026-2027 Season Preview

Projections continue to be high for the Hoosiers next season after their massive transfer portal overhaul. Bart Torvik has the Hoosiers at no. 25 nationally. With the expectations, IU coach Darian Devries spoke to the media about the upcoming year as well as several other topics.

Before the regular season can start, though, Indiana announced another foreign tour over the summer with exhibition games. This time, though, they will represent the USA as a whole in the FISU American Games from July 20 to Aug 1.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air several times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

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And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

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Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Softball Awaits NCAA Tournament Selection

• Softball knocked off Illinois to close its regular season before taking out Washington in the Big Ten Tournament. However, elite Nebraska was too much for them in the semifinals. With that said, at 42-14 and an RPI in the 30’s, IU is expected to hear its name called tonight for the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year.

• Baseball had arguably its worst week of a bad season. They lost a series to lowly Northwestern and twice blew a late lead to arch-rival Purdue, as their year is all but over with only one more series left.

• Men’s golf finished 16th at the Big Ten Championships.

• Track and field hosted the Billy Hayes Invitational.

• Women’s basketball will compete in a tournament next November in Fort Myers, Florida, against Georgia Tech and Mississippi State. Also, two former Hoosiers made WNBA rosters.

• Volleyball revealed its opponents in conference play for next fall.

• Men’s Soccer alumni will compete in the TST for the fourth straight year.

• Finally, many IU athletes were amongst the students who graduated this weekend.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

A controversial change to the NCAA Tournament appears to be close to implementation for next season. Also, the students are moving closer to the court at Assembly Hall.

Additionally, some of IU’s outgoing transfers have found new homes, and we look ahead to next season. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, which was led by softball continuing to play well.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• NCAA Tournament Could Be Expanding To 76 Teams

• IU Students Moving Closing To Court In Assembly Hall

• Several IU Transfers Find New Home

• 2026-2027 Season Preview

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Softball Hits 40 Wins

Banner #1: NCAA Tournament Could Be Expanding To 76 Teams

While not yet official, the NCAA appears ready to finalize an expansion of March Madness for both men’s and women’s basketball. Based on reports, the NCAA Tournament will controversially expand from 68 to 76 teams and go from a ‘First Four’ to a ‘First 12’.

Under the proposal, 24 teams would compete on Tuesday and Wednesday. Additionally, a second site besides Dayton could be added out west.

The Hoosiers have made the NCAA Tournament just twice in the last decade, in 2022 and 2023. However, IU has been among the first teams out frequently. Under this proposed expansion, Indiana likely would have been invited to participate in 2019, 2024, and 2025.

Banner #2: IU Students Moving Closing To Court In Assembly Hall

Through the mid-2000’s, IU’s student section included the bleachers behind the north and south baskets at Assembly Hall. However, a change at this point gave the north basket seats to the general public as premium seating.

For several seasons after students lost these close seats, a ‘stand up old people chant’ was done at times when the opponent shot free throws. However, this quickly faded away as newer generations of students were unaware that these seats once were part of their section.

Now, roughly 20 years later, those north side bleachers behind the basket are being included in the student section again. This will double the student seating on the court area from 600 back to roughly 1,200.

Where the 600 premium season ticket holders previously in these seats are moving to has not yet been announced. However, having more students near the court should improve the Assembly Hall atmosphere and make them more visible to the television cameras.

Banner #3: Several IU Transfers Find New Home

Jason Drake, Jasai Miles, Josh Harris, Nick Dorn, Andrej Acimovic, and Aleksa Ristic all left IU this offseason and entered the transfer portal. Now four of them have announced new destinations.

Harris is moving to Florida Atlantic, Ristic will head to Belmont, and Drake will go to Temple. However, the biggest move announced was that of Dorn late in the week. Dorn will head to Miami (FL), where former Hoosier Malik Reneau had a breakout season in 2025-2026.

Banner #4: 2026-2027 Season Preview

While the NCAA Tournament may be expanding (see above), early projections say IU should be safely in March Madness this time and has high expectations. ESPN projects the Hoosiers at no. 25 for 2026-2027, and several other publications have Indiana in a similar spot.

Several other Big Ten schools project highly as well. However, IU could be amongst the most improved after their elite haul in the transfer portal.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, Inside the Hall’s own Josh Pos joined to discuss potential NCAA Tourney expansion.

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air many times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Softball Hits 40 Wins

• Softball had another huge week, taking a series from Michigan, and knocking off Evansville, and Illinois to reach 40 wins as they cruise towards a fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth.

• Baseball fell to Iowa, recovered to beat Louisville, and has split its first two with Northwestern.

• Women’s golf finished fourth at the Big Ten Championships and was selected to the NCAA Tournament.

• Track and field competed at the Jesse Owens Classic.

• Rowing won the Dale England Cup for the ninth straight year.

• Wrestling had four Hoosiers place at the U.S. Open.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

Football takes center stage this week with the conclusion of spring ball and a record number of IU players being drafted. Turning to basketball, yet another non-conference opponent was announced, and Indiana is projected in the NCAA Tournament after their massive portal haul.

Additionally, the women’s basketball team added important players from the portal. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, which was led by softball continuing to play well.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Spring Practice Concludes For Football As Record Number Of Hoosiers Drafted

• Eastern Illinois Added to Hoosiers’ 2026-2027 Schedule

• IU Projected As NCAA Tournament Team After Portal Overhaul

• Women’s Basketball Adds Key Players In Transfer Portal

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Softball Continues Strong Play

Banner #1: Spring Practice Concludes For Football As Record Number Of Hoosiers Drafted

Spring football came to a close for the defending national champion Hoosiers with the annual scrimmage as Curt Cignetti’s third version of his squad gets set for this fall. However, the biggest part of the practice was not what occurred on the field, but instead what happened at the same time about 400 miles to the east in Pennsylvania.

This is where the NFL Draft took place, and the IU had QB Fernando Mendoza taken with the number one pick overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza was not the only player taken in the first round that night, as WR Omar Cooper went no. 30 to the New York Jets.

The run of Indiana players did not stop in subsequent days, as CB DeAngelo Ponds also went to the Jets and RB Kaelon Black was taken by the San Francisco 49ers on Friday. The final day of the draft doubled that number to eight total.

The four to hear their names called on Saturday were WR Elijah Sarratt to the Baltimore Ravens, TE Riley Nowakowski to the Pittsburgh Steelers, C Pat Coogan to the Tennessee Titans, and LB Aiden Fisher to the Houston Texans. The eight players drafted were the most Hoosiers ever taken in a single year.

Also, six undrafted guys signed free agent contracts, including RB Roman Hemby and WR EJ Williams joining Mendoza in Las Vegas, DE Mikail Kamara joining Black in San Francisco, and S Devan Boykin joining Nowakowski in Pittsburgh. Finally, S Louis Moore inked a deal with the Miami Dolphins, and LS Mark Langston with the Buffalo Bills.

Banner #2: Eastern Illinois Added to Hoosiers’ 2026-2027 Schedule

As IU filled in its roster this week, another non-conference matchup was announced. The Hoosiers will reportedly host Eastern Illinois on November 2 in their season opener.

The Panthers finished last season 13-20 overall and ranked No. 324 in KenPom. Indiana has won all three previous meetings, most recently in 2024.

This game becomes the fifth piece of the puzzle for the pre-Big Ten portion of the schedule. It joins previously announced contests against Bellarmine, Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Syracuse.

Banner #3: IU Projected As NCAA Tournament Team After Portal Overhaul

After seemingly hitting a grand slam in the transfer portal last week, the projections for next season appear to be much brighter now. The six committed prospects from last week (Markus Burton, Darren Harris, Bryce Lindsay, Jaeden Mustaf, Aiden Sherrell, Samet Yigitoglu) all come in relatively highly in the national rankings and is also amongst the best portal classes in the country.

This infusion of talent moved Indiana into the projected top-25 for 2026-2027. How it plays out on the court remains to be seen, but the Hoosiers are certainly expected to end their three-year NCAA Tourney drought and comfortably make March Madness.

Banner #4: Women’s Basketball Adds Key Players In Transfer Portal

The IU men were not alone in making a splash in the portal. The Indiana women also made significant additions here.

It was not the entire roster overhaul of their male counterparts. This is due to the fact that the women return three starters and bring in the sixth-ranked high school class in the country.

As a result, the portal is more about filling in around the edges for them. After adding Iowa State’s Alisa Williams the day the portal opened, and Nebraska’s Jess Petrie later, two more key additions were added this week.

These players coming to Bloomington for 2026-2027 both have extensive starting five experience for power five squads in positions of need. One is knock-down shooter Kenzie Hare from Iowa State, while the other is USC PG and defensive specialist Malia Samuels. Also, season tickets are now on sale for next year.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air many times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Softball Continues Strong Play

• Softball had another solid week, knocking off Valparaiso and traditional power Michigan as they continue to cruise towards a fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth. They did, however, fall to the Wolverines as well as a solid Iowa squad.

• Baseball beat Ball State and Abilene Christian out of conference. However, they lost a series at home to Iowa and are now in serious danger of missing the Big Ten Tourney for the first time in 15 years.

• Men’s tennis fell to Michigan but still qualified for the conference tournament, where they defeated Oregon before falling to Michigan State.

• Men’s golf finished 12th at the Hoosier Collegiate Invitational.

• Track and field competed at the Clark Woods Invite.

• Rowing competed at the Big Ten Invite.

• Wrestling has 10 Hoosiers competing at the U.S. Open.

• Finally, the annual Little 500 saw the Black Key Bulls win for the third straight year in the men’s race, and Alpha Chi Omega take the women’s race.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

In this episode of Xs and Joes, Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth dig into a topic many Indiana fans can feel but struggle to explain: why so much frustration around IU basketball now feels deeper than just wins and losses.

Using recent reactions, historical context, and a few memorable pop-culture references, they explore how decades of unmet expectations have shaped the current mood around the program.

Why IU Fans Are So Angry

The conversation starts with the obvious question—and goes well beyond the surface.

• Why this frustration feels more like exhaustion than outrage

• How years of near-misses, resets, and false starts compound over time

• The difference between a disappointed fan base and a burned-out one

• Why anger often shows up when expectations still exist

The Weight of Three Decades

Indiana’s history matters—but so does everything since.

The guys look at how few truly memorable seasons IU has had in the modern era, and why long stretches of mediocrity hit differently at a program with this much tradition.

• How optimism slowly erodes

• Why “just be patient” lands differently now than it once did

Dusty May, Braden Smith, and the Ones That Got Away

Recent tournament storylines reopened old wounds.

The episode explores why certain names trigger such strong reactions from IU fans—and why those reactions are often about more than one player or one coach.

Can Darian DeVries Change the Mood?

There’s real momentum from the portal haul, but skepticism remains.

• Why this offseason has created genuine intrigue

• What still has to happen before fans fully buy in

• How year two could shift the entire tone around the program

This Isn’t Just an Indiana Problem

IU may be unique in some ways—but not in this one.

The discussion branches into Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, Nebraska, and other fan bases dealing with the same collision of history, money, and modern expectations.

Bottom line:

This episode is about more than fan anger. It’s about what happens when a proud program goes too long without giving people a reason to believe—and what it will take to earn that belief back.

This episode brought to you by the Back Home Network and Homefield Apparel.

The YouTube video is below, and you can listen to the audio wherever podcasts are available.

Use these links to subscribe to the podcast:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Amazon Music

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• RSS Feed (to add it to a different podcast player)

• Don’t see it somewhere you normally listen to podcasts? Let us know.

If you thoughts or comments about the episode, feel free to comment on YouTube video, comment below, or reach out to Mike (@M_Wiemuth_) and Bob (@BobMoats) on Twitter or in our BHN Discord.

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On Wednesday, and will discuss the Hoosiers’ activity in the Transfer Portal with another edition of Doing The Work — our show dedicated to the Indiana women’s basketball team.

Watch on our YouTube channel below. (Open the link in YouTube to see a replay of

the show or chat with the WorkAholics during the show.)

Subscribe to Doing The Work

Subscribe to the Doing The Work podcast for free at any of the following places:

• YouTube

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Google Podcasts

• Art19

• Podcast feed RSS (use this to subscribe in any player)

• Search for “doing the work” wherever you listen to podcasts. If you don’t find us, email Jerod.

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

The roster for next season, which was in its early stages of taking shape last week, is now nearly full and built with high quality players. Also, a non-conference opponent was learned.

Additionally, the women added an important player from the portal, and spring football continues. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, which was led by softball continuing to win.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• IU Has Massive Transfer Portal Week To Build Contender

• Bowling Green Added to Hoosiers’ 2026-2027 Schedule

• Women Add Key Player In Transfer Portal As Well

• Spring Practice Continues For Football

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Softball Continues Winning Ways

Banner #1: IU Has Massive Transfer Portal Week To Build Contender

The Hoosiers seemingly hit a grand slam in the transfer portal this week. IU had four top players visit campus last weekend who were transferring. These prospects were Georgia Tech’s Jaeden Mustaf, Duke’s Darren Harris, Notre Dame’s Markus Burton, and Alabama’s Aiden Sherrell.

Not only did Indiana coach Darien DeVries get all four of these players to commit to play in Bloomington next year. He also managed to reel in SMU’s Samet Yigitoglu and Villanova’s Bryce Lindsay before they made it to campus for a visit.

While IU has gotten top players in the portal in previous years, this time it appears to be well constructed, where the needs fit the profile. The biggest of these is Burton, who is a former Indiana Mr. Basketball and gives the Hoosiers a dynamic point guard who is an elite scorer and can run the offense at a high level. This is something the team has not had since Yogi Ferrell’s time in Bloomington.

In Lindsay, IU gets a top three-point shooter for its backcourt, which is critical in Devries’ system. Meanwhile, Yigitoglu is one of the tallest players in program history, and Sherrell complements him as another big man. However, unlike past renditions of Indiana teams using double post players, Sherrell is a stretch four who can step out and shoot threes and should prevent the lane from getting overly clogged.

Whether Mustaf or Harris gets the final starting spot remains to be seen, but both can drive to the basket and knock down shots from deep. Either way, Indiana now has six players coming from high-level programs, and all but Harris averaged double figures at their previous stop. They will join the returning Trent Sisley (Andrej Acimovic has now entered the portal as well) and the four new freshmen in what is the presumed meat and potatoes of the 2026-2027 roster.

This infusion of talent moved Indiana into the top-15 of offseason projections. How it plays out on the court remains to be seen, but this season has both football and basketball with the top transfer classes in the country at IU, per On3 Sports.

Banner #2: Bowling Green Added to Hoosiers’ 2026-2027 Schedule

As IU filled in its roster this week, another non-conference matchup was announced. The Hoosiers will host Bowling Green on either November 27 or 28.

The Falcons finished last season 18-14 overall and ranked No. 144 in KenPom. Indiana has won all three previous meetings, but the teams have not met since 1998.

Also, this game becomes the fourth piece of the puzzle for the pre-Big Ten portion of the schedule. Its joins previously announced contests against Bellarmine, Kentucky, and Syracuse.

Banner #3: Women Add Key Player In Transfer Portal As Well

The IU men were not alone in making a splash in the portal this week. The Indiana women also made a significant addition here.

It was not the multi-player overhaul of their male counterparts. This is due to the fact that the women return three starters and bring in the sixth-ranked high school class in the country.

As a result, the portal is more about filling in around the edges for them. After adding Iowa State’s Alisa Williams the day the portal opened, the squad made a more noteworthy addition this week. This player committing is Nebraska’s Jess Petrie. She averaged double figures for the Cornhuskers last year and is the most impactful get from the portal since Shay Ciezki two years ago.

Speaking of Ciezki, she had a big moment as well this week. She was signed to a training camp contract by the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury after going undrafted during Monday’s draft.

Banner #4: Spring Practice Continues For Football

Spring football continues for IU. The Hoosiers are back on the field practicing now and looking to defend their national championship. Several players and coach Curt Cignetti spoke with the media after practice this week.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, Alex Bozich is joined by IU Film Room creator and Greenwood Christian Academy head coach Tony Adragna to discuss Indiana’s transfer portal additions.

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air many times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Softball Continues Winning Ways

• Softball continued to dominate, completing a sweep of arch-rival Purdue and rolling past Notre Dame. They also have taken a series from Iowa this weekend, but fell to elite Louisville in a nail-biter during the midweek.

• Baseball had mixed results this week, defeating Indiana State as well as Evansville but falling to Maryland. They have also split their first two with Abilene Christian in this weekend’s series.

• Men’s tennis defeated Nebraska but fell to Michigan State.

• Women’s tennis fell to UCLA as well as USC.

• Water Polo lost to Arizona State to close their season,

• Women’s golf finished sixth in the Buckeye Invitational.

• Men’s golf finished 13th at the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate.

• Track and field competed in multiple different invitationals this weekend.

• Wrestling signed a recruit.

• Finally, the Big Ten is adding a conference tournament for volleyball for the first time next fall.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

In this episode of The Assembly Call, we react to Indiana’s massive transfer portal haul and what it might mean for year two under Darian DeVries.

After a disappointing season, the tone has shifted quickly—and the conversation wrestles with how much of this excitement is justified versus how much still needs to be proven on the court.

Segment 1: Inside Indiana’s Portal Haul

The discussion centers on just how dramatic this roster overhaul has been—and why it feels different from past offseasons.

• Why this group appears more balanced than recent Indiana teams

• How the pieces might actually fit together in a modern offense

• The significance of adding a true lead guard and legit size up front

• A surprise commitment during the show that adds another wrinkle

• Whether this is finally a roster without an obvious fatal flaw

Segment 2: What It Means (and What’s Still Missing)

The excitement is real—but so are the questions.

• How much of last year’s struggles were roster vs. coaching

• Why this offseason suggests the staff may have learned from year one

• The importance of continuity and multi-year players

• What positions still need to be addressed before the roster is complete

• The big unknown: how it all comes together once games actually start

Bottoms line:

There’s real momentum—and a real plan. But this episode makes it clear: April wins don’t mean much unless they translate to November.

Thank you to our sponsors

We appreciate the support of our sponsors who help make our continued coverage of Indiana basketball possible.

• Presenting sponsor: Homefield Apparel (promo code HOME23 for 15% off your first order)

• Promotional partner for Meaningful Moment: Hoosier Ticket Project

• Promotional partner for Inside the Numbers: Megan Mahaffey’s JacksonHewitt franchise locations in and around Bloomington

• Game Ball sponsor: Bloomington Environmental (mention Assembly Call for a free radon test kit and mitigation estimate)

• Hoosier Hustle Award sponsor: Security Pro 24/7 (formerly Evansville Security Services)

Subscribe to The Assembly Call

Subscribe to The Assembly Call podcast for free at any of the following places:

• YouTube

• Apple Podcasts

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• Google Podcasts

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• Podcast feed RSS

• Search for “assembly call” wherever you listen to podcasts. If you don’t find us, email Jerod.

Subscribe now

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

The roster for next season is in the very early stages of taking shape. Whether it’s outgoing or incoming players, some clarity emerged this week.

Additionally, Michigan won the national championship to end the Big Ten’s title drought, and spring football continues. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, which was led by softball taking a series from arch-rival Purdue.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Hoosiers Look To Add Players Via Transfer Portal

• IU Loses Several More Players to Portal

• Michigan Wins National Championship To End Big Ten’s Title Drought

• Spring Practice Continues For Football

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Softball Wins Series Against Arch-Rival Purdue

Banner #1: Hoosiers Look To Add Players Via Transfer Portal

While IU has not added anyone from the transfer portal yet, this weekend features visits to campus as the Hoosiers try to lock down signature players. The biggest of these by far is Notre Dame’s Markus Burton, who will be in Bloomington today for a visit.

Houston was thought to be Indiana’s biggest competition for Burton. However, the Cougars took a commitment from a top-level point guard on Saturday, giving IU a potential clear runway to land their top target.

Besides this, a couple of other prospects were in Bloomington this weekend including Duke’s Darren Harris and Georgia Tech’s Jaeden Mustaf. Other potential targets are South Alabama’s Adam Olsen, Tulane’s Rowan Brumbaugh, and Alabama’s Aiden Sherell, amongst others.

Banner #2: IU Loses Several More Players to Portal

IU had seven players eligible to return, but only two of them will it appears. Trent Sisley and Andrej Acimovic will likely be back wearing Cream and Crimson next fall.

Nick Dorn, Jasai Miles, Aleksa Ristic, Jason Drake, and Josh Harris all had eligibility to return. However, all five of these guys have announced they will instead enter their names in the transfer portal and depart Bloomington.

Joinging Sisley and Acimovic on the 2026-2027 roster are three incoming freshmen. These players are Vaughn Karvala, Trevor Manhertz, and Prince-Alexander Moody.

Banner #3: Michigan Wins National Championship To End Big Ten’s Title Drought

The Big Ten continued its year of winning national titles. This is because Michigan and former IU manager Dusty May ended the conference’s long national title drought in men’s basketball by defeating Connecticut to cut down the nets.

In women’s basketball, UCLA dominated South Carolina for the championship. This ended a similar title drought for the league.

Banner #4: Spring Practice Continues For Football

Spring football continues for IU. The Hoosiers are back on the field practicing now and looking to defend their national championship. Several players and coach Curt Cignetti spoke with the media after practice this week.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air many times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Softball Wins Series Against Arch-Rival Purdue

• Softball took a series from arch-rival Purdue this weekend. This was after defeating Butler and losing to UCLA.

• Baseball defeated Ball State and Rutgers and has split its first two with Maryland in its weekend series.

• Water Polo lost to UCLA but beat San Jose State.

• Women’s tennis lost to Maryland and beat Penn State.

• Men’s tennis to Northwestern as well as Wisconsin.

• Rowing lost to Texas.

• Track and Field competed in the Crimson Tide Invitational.

• Wrestling signed a recruit.

• Finally, women’s basketball added its first player from the transfer portal.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

IU announced another signature non-conference game in Indianapolis for next fall. This matchup was learned as the roster for next season is in the very early stages of taking shape.

Additionally, the NCAA Tournament results and spring football has begun. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, which was led by baseball getting back in the win column.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• IU Adds Non-Conference Matchup With Syracuse In Indy

• Where The Hoosiers Roster Is At

• NCAA Tourney Results

• Spring Practice Continues For Football

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Baseball Ends Long Losing Streak

Banner #1: IU Adds Non-Conference Matchup With Syracuse In Indy

As IU looks to next season, a major piece of the non-conference schedule was learned this week. It was already known that the Hoosiers would face Kentucky in their state’s capital city in December.

While that matchup will be in Lucas Oil stadium with a truly neutral atmosphere, Indiana will have a de facto home game against Syracuse at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 9. The contest is a rematch of the 1987 NCAA Championship, which is IU’s last title to date, as well as the 2013 Sweet 16, when the Orange knocked out an elite Hoosier team when they were a one seed.

Syracuse will be coached by Gerry McNamara, who is a program legend but will be debuting next season following recent struggles since Jim Boeheim’s retirement. The Orange are coming off a 15-17 season and have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2021.

Banner #2: Where The Hoosiers Roster Is At

The Hoosiers will look to build a stronger roster that can better compete in the Big Ten in 2026-2027 under second-year head coach Darian DeVries. IU has seven players eligible to return, but only three of them (Nick Dorn, Jasai Miles, and Trent Sisley) saw time in the rotation this season. Of these, Sisley announced this week he will be back in Bloomington for his sophomore season, while the other two’s plans remain unclear at this moment.

Of the remaining guys with eligibility, Aleksa Ristic was the only other guy with eligibility to see minutes last season, and it was only very sparingly. The other three bodies who can return to the program were injured or redshirting in Andrej Acimovic, Jason Drake, and Josh Harris. Other than Drake, who announced this week that he will enter his name in the transfer portal, what happens with these remaining guys remains to be seen.

The other three players who will definitely be on the roster besides Sisley are incoming freshman Vaughn Karvala, Trevor Manhertz, and Prince-Alexander Moody. Given the losses of their top rotational guys, IU will almost certainly need to fill several spots via the transfer portal with immediate impact guys. The Hoosiers are from alone here, however, and the portal opens this Tuesday officially.

Turning to the women’s side, there is a lot more clarity for Indiana here. While the Hoosiers have lost several players to the portal, including promising freshman Nevaeh Caffey, the return of three starters was confirmed. This includes Maya Makalusky, Zania Socka-Nguemen, and Lenee Beaumont, who are all key pieces going forward.

The program also brings in an elite recruiting class that includes what were the two highest-ranked recruits in program history until this week. This is because IU just received a commitment from an ever higher ranked prospect for 2027 in Finley Parker. Outgoing star Shay Ciezki also hinted at a strong portal class for the team for next season.

Banner #3: NCAA Tourney Results

The NCAA Tournament continued with the Final Four. With NIL seemingly widening the gap between mid-major and power five teams, the competition has featured fewer upsets than usual.

However, with that said, there have still been some great games. Despite the Hoosiers not being a part of it (outside of a brief cameo from Sam Alexis later on), the Big Ten sent nine teams to the dance, and six of them made the Sweet 16, with four on to the Elite 8, and two the Final Four.

The Final Four teams from the conference were Michigan and Illinois. While the Illini were knocked out by Connecticut, the Wolverines dominated Arizona. The two winners will play for the national championship in a game that could have Indiana fans wondering what might have been in an alternate universe.

This is because the Huskies have Hoosier native Braylon Mullins playing a key role, and IU was a finalist for his services. Also, Michigan is coached by former Indiana manager Dusty May.

The Big Ten will look to end long national title droughts in both men’s and women’s basketball in the next couple of days, though. UCLA will face South Carolina for the women’s championship this afternoon, while the Wolverines will take on Connecticut tomorrow night.

Banner #4: Spring Practice Continues For Football

Spring football is just beginning for IU. The Hoosiers are back on the field practicing now and looking to defend their national championship. Several players and coach Curt Cignetti spoke with the media after a practice this week.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, Alex Bozich was joined by Rick Bozich to discuss previous Final Fours.

The Back Home Network has many shows also. As a result, it was on air many times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Softball Continues Strong Start To Season

• Baseball finally ended a long losing streak by dominating Rutgers on Friday Night. However, in between that, Nebraska finished a sweep of IU, while the Hoosiers also fell to Evansville and the Scarlet Knights with late collapses. In non-game news, one of Indiana’s games at Northwestern next month was moved to Wrigley Field.

• Women’s tennis beat Rutgers but fell to Nebraska.

• Softball gave elite UCLA a scare before losing twice.

• Men’s tennis lost to top-flight Illinois.

• Water Polo fell to elite Arizona State and Michigan.

• Women’s golf finished third at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic.

• Men’s golf competed at the Butler Spring Invitational.

• Track and Field competed in the Battle of the Bayou.

• Rowing took part in the Ohio State Regatta.

• Volleyball will take part in the newly created Big Ten vs. SEC Challenge. The program also put season tickets on sale for next fall.

• Finally, women’s basketball assistant coach Rhett Wierzba received an honor.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment

On Wednesday, and will continue to recap the Hoosiers’ 25-26 season with another edition of Doing The Work — our show dedicated to the Indiana women’s basketball team.

Watch on our YouTube channel below. (Open the link in YouTube to see a replay of

the show or chat with the WorkAholics during the show.)

Subscribe to Doing The Work

Subscribe to the Doing The Work podcast for free at any of the following places:

• YouTube

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Google Podcasts

• Art19

• Podcast feed RSS (use this to subscribe in any player)

• Search for “doing the work” wherever you listen to podcasts. If you don’t find us, email Jerod.

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Homefield Apparel, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

IU introduced a new assistant coach in hopes of a better future. Meanwhile, the NCAA Tourney continues without them, as has happened most of the time in the last decade, with the Big Ten thriving.

Additionally, a look the roster’s current standing for Indiana and spring football begins. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the Hoosier sports in action, which was led by softball continuing its strong start to 2026.

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• IU Adds Assistant Coach To Staff

• NCAA Tourney Results

• Where The Hoosiers Roster Is At

• Spring Football Practice Begins

• Weekly Shows

• Hoosier Roundup-Softball Continues Strong Start To Season

Banner #1: IU Adds Assistant Coach To Staff

As IU looks to next season, its bench of assistants is now fully staffed to help build a roster. Louisville assistant Thomas Carr (no relation to new staff member Ryan Carr) will head across the river to Indiana to fill the final spot on the staff that was one short in 2025-2026.

Carr will join Drew Adams, Rod Clark, Kenny Johnson, and Nick Norton as the assistant coaches for 2026-2027. He was an assistant with Pat Kelsey at College of Charleston before following him to be with the Cardinals.

Banner #2: NCAA Tourney Results

The Hoosiers’ season has been over for a couple of weeks after once again failing to secure a spot in March Madness. This was the third straight year and eighth time in 10 seasons IU has found itself in this position.

However, with or without Indiana, the NCAA Tournament continues. With NIL seemingly widening the gap between mid-major and power five teams, the competition has featured fewer upsets than usual and no mid-majors in the tournament’s second weekend.

However, with that said, there have still been some great games. Despite the Hoosiers not being a part of it, the Big Ten sent nine teams to the dance, and six of them made the Sweet 16, with four on to the Elite 8.

Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Purdue all made the second weekend, with all but Michigan State and Nebraska advancing. The Illini have already made the Final Four in Indianapolis, and the Wolverines will look to join them today with a matchup against Tennessee. However, the Boilermakers fell to Arizona who will play in Indy as well. The winner of Duke vs. UConn will take the final spot.

Banner #3: Where The Hoosiers Roster Is At

After the late-season collapse, the Hoosiers will look to build a stronger roster that can better compete in the Big Ten in 2026-2027 under second-year head coach Darian DeVries. IU has seven players eligible to return, but only three of them (Nick Dorn, Jasai Miles, and Trent Sisley) saw time in the rotation this season.

Aleksa Ristic was the only other guy with eligibility to see minutes last season, and it was only very sparingly. The other three bodies who can return to Bloomington were injured or redshirting in Andrej Acimovic, Jason Drake, and Josh Harris.

How many of these seven will elect to actually suit up for Indiana remains to be seen. The three players who will definitely be on the roster, though, are incoming freshman Vaughn Karvala, Trevor Manhertz, and Prince-Alexander Moody.

However, given the losses of their top rotational guys, IU will almost certainly need to fill several spots via the transfer portal with immediate impact guys to have any chance to return to March Madness. The Hoosiers are from alone here, however.

Given the nature of college basketball, almost everyone has to use the portal to compete, including many in the Big Ten. It opens after the National Championship game.

Banner #4: Spring Football Practice Begins

While basketball season has ended, spring football is just beginning for IU. The Hoosiers are back on the field practicing now and looking to defend their national championship. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti spoke with the media after a practice this week.

Presenting Sponsor: Homefield Apparel

Homefield’s annual Black Friday sale has already begun. Use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout to get 20% off your entire order.

The item of the week for this week is the new “Hurryin’ Hoosiers” snapback hat. Both

Jerod Morris and Tony Adragna have it, and can attest to its quality and fit.

Plus, how cool is it to have an item celebrating the great teams under Branch McCracken?

Get 20% off at Homefield now

Banner #5: Weekly Shows

Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, IU Film Room’s Tony Adragna discussed what IU needs to do in the transfer portal.

The Back Home Network has many shows also. As a result, it was on air many times this week with programming.

Refer a friend

Do you enjoy The Assembly Call? Please consider sharing our work with other IU fans in your life who you think would appreciate it.

Plus, you get perks (see here) when people sign up using your link.

Refer a friend

Gift subscriptions

And if you want to get generous, consider gifting a premium subscription to the extra special IU fans in your life.

We promise we’ll make it worth their while — and your hard-earned money!

Give a gift subscription

Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Softball Continues Strong Start To Season

• Softball continued its hot start to the season. They went 3-1 this week, completing a sweep of Maryland and sweeping Detroit Mercy, which included a no-hitter, while falling to elite Oregon. At 27-7, their RPI sits in the top 60, which is well within range for a fourth straight NCAA Tourney appearance.

• Swimming and Diving saw the men finish third nationally at the NCAA Championships.

• Men’s tennis had a huge week, defeating Penn State and rival Purdue.

• Women’s tennis fell to Illinois but upset ranked Iowa.

• Baseball seemed to be gaining momentum, but then lost all four games this week to Minnesota and Indiana State, as well as both contests at Nebraska. Sitting at just 10-16, a second straight year of missing the NCAA Tourney seems most likely barring a huge turnaround.

• Water Polo fell to Stanford.

• Track and Field competed in the Raleigh Relays.

• Wrestling signed a player for next year.

• Finally, several former IU baseball players made opening day rosters in the MLB.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

The Assembly Call is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Leave a comment