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 basketball won another game against a mid-major opponent despite not all moments being perfect. Also, football’s long-awaited Rose Bowl is scheduled for this week.
Additionally, women’s basketball won, and a look back at the Hoosiers’ non-conference season. As usual, we will conclude with weekly shows and a look at the rest of the Indiana sports in action, highlighted by baseball and softball announcing their upcoming spring schedules.
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:
Hoosier Basketball Beats Siena
Football Ready For Rose Bowl
Women’s Basketball Beats Western Carolina
Non-Conference Review
Weekly Shows
Hoosier Roundup-Baseball And Softball Announce Upcoming Schedules
Banner #1: Hoosier Basketball Beats Siena
IU basketball had its final non-conference game against a mid-major opponent. This opposition was Siena on Monday.
As has been the case recently, the Hoosiers raced out to a huge 46-20 halftime lead with hot three-point shooting. However, the second half was a grind as shot-making lessened. While the lead was never really cut into, the advantage stayed right around 20-25 for the final 20 minutes. In the end, Indiana won 81-60 despite being outscored 40-35 after intermission.
Afterwards, IU coach Darian DeVries spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Ryan Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Alex Bozich penned Five Takeaways, and Quinn Richards put together a column about the squad’s inconsistencies.
At 10-3 overall, the Hoosiers have finished non-conference play. They are now in the midst of a long holiday break before returning to Big Ten play for good in early January.
Their NET sits around 30 overall. While they have no signature victories, they have kept their losses to close margins, and victories (except Lindenwood) have come by large amounts. However, how they perform in the conference will decide if they make their first March Madness since 2023.
Banner #2: Football Ready For Rose Bowl
After its first Big Ten Championship since 1967, the football Hoosiers are ready for their first Rose Bowl since that same season. They have also moved to no. 1 in the country for the first time in program history.
Their next game will be against Alabama on New Year’s Day at 4 pm Eastern time on ESPN. This will be their first of three potential matchups in the College Football Playoff as Indiana chases its first national championship.
The Indiana staff and players spoke with the media this week to preview the matchup. While Alabama is still very talented and dangerous, it is far from the vintage squad they were under the now-retired Nick Saban several years ago. They are coached by former Hoosier offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, and the staff features many other people with IU ties. The Crimson Tide is 11-3 overall, and Indiana is favored by about a touchdown.
Banner #3: Women’s Basketball Beats Western Carolina
Women’s basketball played Western Carolina in their non-conference finale on Sunday. IU remained ahead for the entire night and won easily 71-44.
With the victory, Indiana improved to 11-2 overall and heads into Big Ten play now for good. They will face Minnesota in Bloomington on Monday at 6 pm on BIG+ before a New Year’s Day showdown at Assembly Hall against Michigan State.
While the squad has avoided any bad losses, several of the contests against mid-majors have been much closer than expected. This has led to poor metrics and a NET in the 50’s. Whether Indiana can make their seventh straight NCAA Tourney will depend on how well it does in conference play, which remains an open question. This is because they have limited scoring options outside guards Shay Ciezki and Lenee Beaumont.
Banner #4: Non-Conference Review
Inside the Hall put together a review of IU’s top players in non-conference play. This included Indiana’s top three scorers, Lamar Wilkerson, Tucker DeVries, and Tayton Conerway.
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
The Back Home Network has several new 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.
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!
Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Baseball And Softball Announce Upcoming Schedules
Baseball announced its upcoming spring schedule.
Softball also announced its upcoming spring schedule.
Men’s Soccer lost its top assistant, Kevin Robson, to the head coaching position at Loyola Chicago.
Volleyball added an elite transfer for 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.