6-Banner Sunday: A pair of former Hoosiers advance to Eastern Conference finals

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Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, 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.

With little news directly related to the current team, a couple of former Hoosiers advancing in the NBA playoffs headlined this week’s news. Moreover, an Indiana team is involved in this.

Besides this, we’ll examine national rankings, roster, and recruiting updates in this week’s 6-Banner Sunday. As usual, we will conclude with weekly shows and a look at other IU sports, led by softball’s season ending in their third straight NCAA tournament.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Bryant and Anunoby to meet in Eastern Conference finals
• Hoosiers ranked 30th in 2025-26 according to Andy Katz
• Big Ten and IU basketball roster updates
• IU basketball recruiting updates
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup

Banner #1 – Bryant and Anunoby to meet in Eastern Conference finals

Former Hoosier Trayce Jackson-Davis and the Golden State Warriors have been eliminated from the NBA playoffs in the Western Conference Semifinals. This leaves just two former IU players still competing.

However, the remaining duo is quite a big deal for multiple reasons. First, these two teams will face off in the Eastern Conference Finals. The players going head-to-head are O.G. Anunoby and Thomas Bryant.

Anunoby plays for the New York Knicks and is easily the most successful of the current professionals who once donned the Cream and Crimson. He is a regular starter and averages 18 points a game on a squad that has legitimate championship aspirations.

However, Bryant is part of the team that competes in Indiana and is just up the road from Bloomington. While he is the backup center to Myles Turner, he plays a critical role off the bench for the Pacers. As a result, many Hoosier supporters would like to see his side bring the first NBA title to the state.

Either way, though, a former IU player will be playing for an NBA Championship in June. If one of the squads is raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy, it will be the first time since the 1970s (and in the Pacers’ case, this was in the ABA).

However, it did not go as well for the women’s side, particularly for former Indiana players. Both Grace Berger (Minnesota Lynx) and Mackenzie Holmes (Seattle Storm) were cut from their WNBA teams.

Banner #2 – Hoosiers ranked 30th in 2025-26 according to Andy Katz

Despite some uncertainties due to the roster turnover, one publication is fairly optimistic about IU for the upcoming season. Andy Katz’s rankings have Indiana at No. 30 for next season.

While being this high will undoubtedly satisfy many Hoosier fans, the fact that arch-rival Purdue is ranked No. 1 in this rundown might cause some mixed feelings. Other Big Ten squads here include No. 8 Michigan, No. 12 Oregon, No. 16 UCLA, No. 19 Illinois, No. 21 Wisconsin, No. 24 Michigan State, No. 27 USC, No. 28 Maryland, and No. 31 Ohio State.

Banner #3 – Big Ten and IU basketball roster updates

Once again, no new players joined the Hoosiers this week on the men’s side. However, there was still news regarding the roster.

Kanaan Carlyle became the final IU player from last season who played regularly to find a new home, moving down a level to Florida Atlantic. This leaves Dallas James as the only one still seeking another opportunity.

With rosters now mostly set across the country, Inside the Hall looked at where teams in the Big Ten stand, personnel-wise. Those wanting to view these players next year will need to subscribe to Peacock to see all of their games.

Turning to the women, they announced a minor addition for next year. They added a junior college transfer in Northwest Florida State’s Jade Ondineme.

Banner #4 – IU basketball recruiting updates

With the roster for this coming season nearly complete, new IU coach Darian DeVries has turned to high school recruiting. DeVries has offered scholarships this week to multiple elite players for future years. Also, Inside the Hall had a mailbag answering questions about this topic, amongst other things.

Banner #5 – Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows

Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy discussed the DeVries hire. Also, DeVries’ assistant Drew Adams was on with Hoosiers Connect.

Finally, the Back Home Network was also on air multiple times in the last few days. Crimson Cast, Dribble Drive, and Xs and Joes all had shows this week.

Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup

• Softball was selected for its third straight NCAA Tournament. Here they went 1-2 to conclude their season losing twice to Oklahoma State and beating St. Louis.

• Baseball finished off a series win over arch-rival Purdue after a Saturday loss last weekend. This weekend, they won a series against Michigan, setting them up as the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. However, with a resume not worthy of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, they will need to win four straight in Omaha to make the postseason for a third consecutive year.

• Volleyball’s Mady Saras signed a pro contract.

• Wrestling signed a transfer.

• Men’s golf finished their season after Clay Merchent came in 38th at the Urbana Regional.

• Rowing is currently competing at the Big Ten Championships.

• Track and field is also currently competing at the conference championship.

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

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Category: 6-Banner Sunday

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