6-Banner Sunday: IU basketball announces two exhibitions for 2025-26 season

• Staff

• 3h ago

 

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.

The exhibition games in Puerto Rico are in the rearview mirror but IU basketball announced two exhibition games in October ahead of the 2025-26 season.

In addition, a small update to Assembly Hall was announced, there were a few recruiting updates and the football season is approaching. As usual, we will conclude with weekly shows and a look at other Hoosier sports, which was highlighted by men’s soccer opening their year with a thrilling match.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Marian and Baylor exhibition games added to 2025-26 schedule
• Assembly Hall Floor receives a new finish
• IU basketball recruiting updates
• 2025 IU football season preview
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup

Banner #1 – Marian and Baylor exhibition games added to 2025-26 schedule

With the Puerto Rico exhibition games now over, fans can look to the regular season, which is just over two months away. However, before the November 5 opener against Alabama A&M can occur, there are exhibitions leading up to the regular season

Prior to this week, though, it was a mystery when these might happen. Now this information is public.

The first exhibition will be on Friday, October 17, against Pat Knight’s Marian squad in Bloomington. This date is the beginning of homecoming weekend and is earlier than usual for an exhibition game.

The second one of these scrimmages will be against a power-five opponent and will take place in Indianapolis on Sunday, October 26, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The opponent is Baylor, and it will be one of two times Indiana plays in the state’s capital city this fall. A regular-season matchup with Louisville will take place in December at the same venue.

While the times and potential broadcast network have not been announced yet, a couple of things can be inferred. With the Marian game being on a Friday, it can be assumed that it will start at night. As for Baylor, the Indianapolis Colts have a home contest with the Tennessee Titans at 4:25 pm that day just down the street. As a result, it is likely the Baylor exhibition will be an early afternoon tip.

Banner #2 – Assembly Hall floor receives a new finish

An entirely new roster will not be the only difference Hoosiers fans notice for this upcoming 2025-2026 season. This is because Branch McCracken Court at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall received a new finish.

IU athletics released a video this week of the update taking place.

Banner #3 – IU basketball recruiting updates

Recruiting is off to a rousing start under new head coach Darian DeVries as he goes all in for future classes. With Prince-Alexander Moody already in the fold, the Hoosiers are going all out to bolster their future. This includes an upcoming campus visit later this month from a top prospect, while another included IU on his final list of schools.

Highlight videos for some potential targets are also available now. This includes Nasir Anderson and Ryan Hampton.

Banner #4 – 2025 IU football season preview

While 6-Banner is a basketball-focused column, the success of IU football in 2024 has led to unprecedented excitement amongst the fan base and increased media coverage for the program. As a result, Inside the Hall provided video from coach Curt Cignetti’s media availability following practice. Also, the winning does not appear to be a temporary thing, as the team is projected in a solid bowl game by most sources and several players received preseason recognition.

Finally, Memorial Stadium is getting a slight name change. As a result of an announced sponsorship deal, the venue will now be known as Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Also, Lucas Oil will be a sponsor as well.

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

Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink featured Crimson Cast’s Galen Clavio, who discussed the upcoming football and basketball seasons.

The Back Home Network was on air multiple times this week. Crimson Cast, Dribble Drive, Football Weather, and Xs and Joes all had shows over the last few days.

Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup

• The Big Ten favorite men’s soccer came back from a two-goal deficit to salvage a tie against elite Clemson in their season opener. The match was played in front of over 6,000 people, which was the third largest in program history, and Assembly Call was on site with coverage.

• Women’s soccer knocked off Ball State.

• Women’s basketball added a recruiting analyst to its staff.

• Volleyball had a scrimmage.

• Cross country released its fall schedule.

• Track and field announced its upcoming recruiting classes.

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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(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

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