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 couple of major news stories happened on the hardwood this week as Indiana’s basketball programs announced their non-conference schedules. In another headline, Sam Alexis’ eligibility is now in doubt after a court ruling.
Also, football wrapped up fall camp as it begins its season against North Texas next weekend, and Inside the Hall continued a series reviewing each basketball player’s summer. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the IU sports scene, which was led by men’s soccer getting a couple more victories.
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Here is what is in this week’s edition:
Men’s And Women’s Basketball Announce Non-Conference Schedule
Sam Alexis Now Ineligible After Court Ruling
Football Continues Fall Camp
Inside the Hall’s IU Basketball Summer In Review Series
Weekly Shows
Hoosier Roundup-Men’s Soccer Opens Season With Win Over Notre Dame
Banner #1: Men’s And Women’s Basketball Announce Non-Conference Schedule
The basketball Hoosiers are amongst the many teams in the league to see mass turnover on their roster. With the use of the transfer portal, IU is expected to be much improved this upcoming fall and should be safely back in the NCAA Tournament after a three-year absence.
A lot of this, though, depends on how Indiana does in their pre-Big Ten schedule, which was announced this week. It presents opportunities, as arguably the most difficult slate in several years. While no true road games are on there, three neutral-site showdowns with Syracuse (Nov. 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse) and Kentucky (Nov. 20 at Lucas Oil Stadium) in Indianapolis, as well as Arkansas (Nov. 17) at Madison Square Garden in New York, offer major prospects for the resume.
Also, the Hoosiers will host two Big 12 opponents with postseason aspirations in Assembly Hall later in the fall with UCF (Dec. 12) and Missouri (Dec. 18). The season opener is also in Bloomington against Eastern Illinois (Nov. 2).
Finally, three exhibition games against high-end competition around the state won’t count towards the final record, but should help prepare IU for tough tests that do shortly after. These games are once again in Indianapolis at Butler (Oct. 11), and North Carolina at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Oct. 18), as well as facing Western Kentucky (Oct. 25) in Evansville. With the Big Ten Tournament also at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Hoosiers will have at least five games in their state’s capital in 2026-2027.
Also, women’s basketball announced its schedule for non-conference play. Theirs is significantly less difficult and opens at home with Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 3. The only time they will leave Bloomington before Big Ten play is over Thanksgiving Break when they head to Fort Myers, Fla., for a Holiday Tournament Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 against Mississippi State and Georgia Tech. Also, the only other contests against power-five competition outside the league are against Boston College (Dec. 2) and Florida State (Dec. 20), who both struggled last year.
Banner #2: Sam Alexis Now Ineligible After Court Ruling
Indiana basketball had seemingly gotten a surprise addition to their team for 2026-2027 at a position of desperate need. As it turns out, Sam Alexis was among those fighting for an additional year of eligibility following new NCAA rules that were supposed to take effect in 2027, allowing five seasons of play with no more appeals or redshirts.
A judge originally ruled the changes to eligibility must take effect immediately and granted Alexis and others the ability to play in 2026-2027. Alexis then made it known he would choose to play for IU, which still had an open scholarship.
This was an important development for a squad that has two elite frontcourt players coming in from the transfer portal: Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu. While that solidified the starting five, a backup big man was desperately needed, which Alexis fills.
Alexis averaged 8.8 points a game last year and was forced to play a larger role than ideal due to the lack of options at center for Indiana. However, as a backup, he would fill an ideal niche and give the Hoosiers the depth up front they need.
However, all of this is very much in question now after the Tennessee Court of Appeals issued an order staying the original temporary injunction. This ruling affects several other players and gives the NCAA a relatively rare victory legally. What happens next is unclear, as various court rulings have made players eligible and ineligible multiple times, as has occurred with Alexis and several other IU athletes as well as players nationwide.
Banner #3: Football Opens With North Texas Next Weekend
IU football’s defense of its national title will kick off next Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Hoosiers are once again expected to be near the top of the conference and amongst the best teams in college football.
With expectations so high, Indiana continued fall practice for the upcoming season as the first game comes into view. Indeed, the showdown against North Texas is less than one week away, and who will play big roles in this contest and throughout the year is becoming increasingly apparent, save for cornerback.
The program held media availability last week. Curt Cignetti gave his weekly update on practice so far this fall, and Inside the Hall had a full transcript of his quotes. Additionally, he appeared in a major national commercial.
In terms of players, wide receiver Tyler Morris, defensive lineman Mario Landino, and kicker Nico Radicic were at the podium. Inside the Hall had a full transcript of their quotes.
Banner #4: Inside the Hall’s IU Basketball Summer In Review Series
Inside the Hall continued a series reviewing each player’s summer in detail. This week saw impact transfer Bryce Lindsay looked at.
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?
Banner #5: Weekly Shows
Podcast on the Brink returned twice this week. One episode discussed a new documentary about IU legendary broadcaster Don Fischer with lead producer and writer Mark Alesia. The other previewed the upcoming football season with Inside the Hall’s own Ian Plaskoff.
The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air several times this week with programming.
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Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Men’s Soccer Picks Up Two More Wins
Men’s soccer continued its dominance of in-state competition, knocking off Evansville as well as Butler to improve to 3-0 on the season. Assembly Call was on site for the contest against the Bulldogs and had a recap of the game as well as a rundown of systemic issues threatening college soccer’s viability, which IU is at the forefront of trying to get corrected, but major hurdles remain. Also, newcomer Oliver Moller-Jensen has dominated early and was honored nationally, and a couple of former Hoosiers advanced further in their pro careers.
Women’s soccer fell to Xavier.
Volleyball lost its opener to an elite Louisville squad on the road.
Field Hockey lost its opener to top-10 Miami (OH). Also, several players were recognized by the conference as well as nationally.
Baseball announced its fall exhibition roster.
Wrestling signed a player.
Finally, IU Athletics is taking part in promoting a major blood drive as part of the Big Ten. Also, major updates were made to the Mobile App for Hoosier Athletics.
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.