[6BS] Hoosiers Win Three Times This Week To Get Back Into NCAA Tourney Conversation
Women Struggle But Have Still Likely Secured A Spot in March Madness
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.
Indiana was back on the court three times this week. When it appeared the Hoosiers were down and out, they picked up a signature win over archrival Purdue and avoided slipping up against Penn State. Also, on Saturday at Washington, they continued their hot play to close in on an NCAA Tournament bid.
Besides this, the women had a rough couple of games but are still on track to make March Madness. We will as usual conclude with weekly shows and a look at other Indiana sports led by swimming and diving winning yet another Big Ten championship.
In a brief story, a former Hoosier has latched on with another NBA team. Jalen Hood-Schifino who has struggled to get his pro career going after a successful season in Bloomington, has agreed to a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Here is what is in this week’s edition:
Hoosiers Beat Arch-Rival Purdue To Keep NCAA Tournament Hopes Alive
IU Wins Consecutive Games By Topping Penn State
Hoosiers Easily Defeat Washington To Finish Perfect Week
Women Have Rough Week But Still On Track For Sixth Straight NCAA Tournament
Weekly Shows
Hoosier Roundup-Swimming And Diving Wins Yet Another Big Ten Title
IU men’s basketball will play six games this season on Peacock and the women will play five contests on Peacock, making the streaming service a must-have for IU basketball fans. Sign up for Peacock using Inside the Hall’s link to help support the site and also enjoy Big Ten hoops all season long! In total, over 70 men's and women's games featuring Big Ten teams will air on Peacock this season (The link is an Inside the Hall affiliate link, so a commission will be paid to ITH if you click and subscribe to Peacock. Alex and the ITH team appreciate your support!)
Banner #1: Hoosiers Beat Arch-Rival Purdue To Keep NCAA Tournament Hopes Alive
While the coaching search continues, IU took to the court a several times this week. Last Sunday they took on arch-rival Purdue in Bloomington in what was their final chance to get a signature victory for their NCAA Tournament resume.
The Hoosiers responded to the challenge after a slow start with arguably their best second half of the season. Indiana outscored the Boilers 48-21 in the final 20 minutes to win going away 73-58. This result gives IU coach Mike Woodson a 4-4 record against his squad’s biggest rival despite them having their best years with him at the helm. This is in contrast to Tom Crean who was just 5-10 vs. their in-state foes while Archie Miller never emerged victorious against them.
With this victory, Indiana also put themselves firmly back into March Madness contention. They still have a bit more work to do, but a postseason bid that looked impossible a couple of weeks ago is now within reach.
Afterward, Woodson spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Ryan Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Alex Bozich put together Five Takeaways, while Kevin Vera penned a column about the strong defensive effort.
Banner #2: IU Wins Consecutive Games By Topping Penn State
The Hoosiers had to avoid tripping up at home against a Penn State squad near the bottom of the league to continue to improve their NCAA Tournament hopes. They accomplished this just barely.
Despite struggles on defense and trailing for a good part of the night, IU took the lead for good on back-to-back three-pointers by Trey Galloway late and held on from there. In the end, Indiana slipped by the Nittany Lions 83-78.
Afterward, Woodson spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Bozich put together Five Takeaways, while Will Foley penned a column about keeping postseason hopes alive.
Banner #3: Hoosiers Easily Defeat Washington To Finish Perfect Week
Facing a squad with the worst record in the Big Ten, Indiana showed no mercy and was in charge from start to finish for the first time since their conference opener against Minnesota. IU went ahead big early and led by double figures for most of the evening in a dominant 78-62 win.
Afterward, Corazza wrote a Minute After, Bozich put together Five Takeaways, while Matt Press penned a column about the Hoosiers being back in NCAA Tourney contention.
With the victories this week IU improves to 18-11 overall and 9-9 in the league. They stay on the West Coast to face Oregon Tuesday at 9 pm Eastern time on FS1 before their home and conference finale against Ohio State next Saturday at 3:45 pm Eastern Time on CBS.
Banner #4: Women Have Rough Week But Still On Track For Sixth Straight NCAA Tournament
On the other side of Assembly Hall, it was a rough week for the IU women. The Hoosiers faced tough competition against ranked Michigan State and Maryland and succumbed to both.
With this result, the squad is now 17-11 overall and 9-8 in the league. Still, they have all but secured a 6th straight appearance in March Madness. However, they would do well to leave no doubt by knocking off a struggling Purdue squad today at 2 pm Eastern time on Peacock in West Lafayette in what is both sides’ conference finale.
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
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 was recorded this week. The episode featured Mike Wiemuth of Xs and Joes to discuss the coaching search.
The Back Home Network was also on-air multiple times in the last few days. Assembly Call Postgame, Crimson Cast, Doing The Work, and Dribble Drive all had shows.
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Banner #6: Hoosier Roundup-Swimming And Diving Wins Yet Another Big Ten Title
The swimming and diving men won yet another Big Ten Championship in dominant fashion.
Softball continued its strong start to the season defeating Lafayette and East Carolina but also falling to elite Texas Tech and Clemson.
Baseball continued their up and down start to the season defeating Harvard, Northwestern, Mount St. Mary’s, and Stetson but also falling to Xavier as well as the Hatters in a rematch.
Volleyball announced their Big Ten opponents for next fall as well as an upcoming spring exhibition match.
Women’s soccer added an assistant to their new coaching staff.
Track and field competed at the Big Ten Championships.
Water polo upset UC Davis.
Men’s tennis fell to Memphis.
Women’s tennis beat UIC.
Women’s golf finished 15th at the Chevron Collegiate.
Thanks for your continued support for 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.