6-Banner Sunday: IU basketball lands commitment from 2026 guard Prince-Alexander Moody

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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.

For the first time in many weeks, several major stories occurred in the last seven days. This was highlighted by IU adding their first high school recruit for 2026.

In addition to that news, a schedule addition was announced, the TBT bracket was finalized and a former Indiana player came up short in the NBA Finals. As usual, we will conclude with weekly shows and a look at other IU sports, which was highlighted by a licensing announcement.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Hoosiers land first 2026 recruit
• IU adds Kansas State to non-conference slate
• 2026 TBT bracket announced
• Bryant and Pacers fall in game 7 of NBA finals
• Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup

Banner #1 – Hoosiers land first 2026 recruit

With the roster nearly complete for next season, the Hoosiers have turned to 2026-2027. The chasing of prospects for a year from now seems to have worked. This is because new IU coach Darian DeVries’ pursuit of future talent has landed a commitment from combo guard Prince-Alexander Moody.

Indiana hauled in the Maryland product by beating out several other power-five schools including Illinois, Michigan State, Providence, Virginia Tech and several others. Moody ranks No. 170 in the 247Sports Composite rankings and a three-star. However, 247’s own numbers have him much higher at No. 123 and a four-star.

Banner #2 – IU adds Kansas State to non-conference slate

Another piece of the non-conference schedule was announced this week. It was already known the Hoosiers had signature matchups against Marquette, Louisville and Kentucky. However, these will all come away from Bloomington.

Now a power-five school was confirmed to be coming to Assembly Hall for a higher-end pre-Big Ten matchup. This opponent is Kansas State and the game will be on Nov. 25. While the Wildcats have been up and down recently performance-wise, they still represent a quad-two opportunity if last year’s No. 65 KenPom ranking is similar in 2025.

Also, if Bart Torvik’s preseason ranking of No. 47 is correct, it will give Indiana a fourth top-50 challenge before the calendar flips to 2026. The only other known opponent so far is mid-major Milwaukee.

In other news related to this coming season, features were written about Tayton Conerway, Tucker DeVries and Conor Enright, Trent Sisley, and Lamar Wilkerson.

Also, Joe Lunardi’s bracketology still has the squad just outside the NCAA tournament as the second team missing the field.

Finally, when it comes to coach Devries himself, he confirmed his entire staff for the upcoming fall. He also provided an update on summer workouts.

Banner #3 – 2026 TBT bracket announced

The IU alumni team for the TBT continues to come together for next month’s tournament. The squad is now up to eight former Hoosiers after Miller Kopp confirmed his participation. He joins James Blackmon Jr., Al Durham Jr., Yogi Ferrell, Jordan Hulls, Juwan Morgan, Race Thompson and Troy Williams.

The competition will be in July beginning at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Their first matchup will be on July 19 as the two seed in their regional against Fail Harder. The winner of the whole event receives one million dollars and tickets for the games can be purchased here.

Banner #4 – Bryant and Pacers fall in game 7 of NBA finals

The NBA Finals wrapped up last weekend with major implications locally. Former Hoosier Thomas 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 role off the bench for the Pacers at times.

However, Bryant contributed minimally since the first game of the series and appeared only sparingly thereafter. With that said, he was playing for his second NBA championship and the Pacers looked to deliver the state’s first major basketball title since IU in 1987.

Indiana as a whole, created a dogfight before falling 4-3 in the series against the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers lost game seven in the most painful way possible with star Tyrese Haliburton tearing his Achilles which will result in him missing all of 2025-2026 as well.

Indiana came the closest they ever had to raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy as champions since joining the NBA and provided the state with a thrilling ride. However, with Haliburton’s injury, their championship window likely shuts for now (although they still feature a very deep and competitive roster that should make the postseason even without its best player). With that said, it is likely to reopen in 2026-2027 upon Haliburton’s return with all its young and talented personnel intact.

Also, when it comes to former Hoosiers, another very recent one has a shot at playing at the next level. Oumar Ballo will get his chance to show his skills after joining the NBA’s upcoming summer league.

Banner #5 – Back Home Network shows

The Back Home Network was on air multiple times this week. Crimson Cast and Dribble Drive both had shows over the last few days. Also, a new BHN program called Welcome to Football Weather had its debut this week.

Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup

• IU announced a partnership with CLC for the promotion of its brand licensing.

• Baseball’s Devin Taylor was named an All-American. Also, former Hoosier Jack Perkins made his MLB debut.

• Softball had one of its players receive the Big Ten Medal of Honor.

• Multiple IU athletes were present at the Ally Activism Summit.

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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