[Xs & Joes #41] 2025-26 College Basketball Preview
Bob and Mike are back to preview the 2025-26 college basketball season, diving deep into IU’s transformed roster under Darian DeVries and analyzing the landscape of college basketball.
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are back to preview the 2025-26 college basketball season, diving deep into IU’s transformed roster under first-year coach Darian DeVries and analyzing the landscape of college hoops in the NIL era. Even with football still riding high in Bloomington, it’s time to turn attention to the hardwood.
Segment 1: The Big Money Conversation
The hosts discuss the seismic shifts in recruiting and compensation:
Cignetti’s $3 million raise and IU football’s impact on the athletic department
Ohio State reportedly paying Anthony Thompson $3+ million while their head coach makes $2.5 million
Why IU’s “whiff” on Thompson was actually smart strategy
The psychology of the hot seat driving desperate roster decisions
Segment 2: Indiana Basketball Deep Dive - The DeVries System
Bob and Mike break down what makes DeVries’ approach fundamentally different:
Offensive Evolution
Pick-and-roll revolution with multiple skilled ball handlers creating unpredictability
Screener deception making the screener a weapon again
The passing upgrade: Two players with 30%+ assist rates (first time in 15 years)
Conceptual principles vs. rigid sets from the past decade
The Defense Question
West Virginia’s top-20 defense proves DeVries can scheme effectively
Tucker DeVries as a “free safety” goading turnovers
Why size concerns about IU’s bigs might be overblown
Roster Construction
Experience over elite talent: The sweet spot model in action
Team chemistry from players who’ve already played together
Translatable skills from mid-majors to high-majors
Segment 3: Big Ten and National Landscape
Purdue: Highest floor in the country but ceiling questions remain with Braden Smith’s penetration limitations
Houston: Kelvin Sampson’s shocking three five-star haul after landing just two in 17 years
Michigan: Portal royalty additions but can Elliot Cadeau finally live up to his potential?
Kentucky & Louisville: Pope’s spending spree vs. Pat Kelsey’s three-point shooting arsenal that could set records
Illinois: “The Belgrade of the Corn Belt” with multiple Balkan players including both Visic brothers
Iowa & Minnesota: The Battle of the Drake Boys - seven former Drake players split between IU and Iowa as the Big Ten moves away from traditional Painter/Izzo/Bo Ryan models
Segment 4: The Clarity Problem - NIL Era Questions
Big schools now poaching from each other (70% to 30% flip in three years)
The $12-15 million championship roster question
Sweet spot vs. superstar models after Florida’s unconventional title run
Economic limits forcing strategic choices even at major programs
Bob and Mike promise more Moneyball conversations about roster construction, an upcoming chat with author William Murphy about IU basketball history, and continued analysis as DeVries’ system meets Big Ten competition.
On the mics: Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth
This episode brought to you by the Back Home Network. Check out all BHN content on YouTube and backhomenetwork.com.
The YouTube video is below, and you can listen to the audio wherever podcasts are available
Use these links to subscribe to the podcast:
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.