6-Banner Sunday: IU basketball lands commitment from Vaughn Karvala
- Staff
- 5h 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.
IU had its final exhibition game last weekend, when its new-look team took on Baylor. Football went on the road and easily handled Maryland.
On the recruiting trail, IU basketball landed its second commitment in the 2026 class. As usual, we will conclude with weekly shows and a look at other Indiana sports, which were highlighted by volleyball topping Northwestern and Maryland.
Here is what is in this week’s edition:
• IU beats Baylor in final exhibition game
• Football crushes Maryland to improve to 9-0
• Hoosiers land commitment from four-star wing Vaughn Karvala
• IU basketball announces coaches radio show schedule for 2025-26 season
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup
Banner #1 – IU beats Baylor in final exhibition game
Under new IU head coach Darian DeVries, Hoosier fans were promised a more modern offense that emphasizes the 3-point shot. Despite a high volume taken against Baylor, many did not fall.
However, Indiana proved it could find other ways to emerge victorious, winning 76-74. This was accomplished by going 20-21 from the free-throw line and constantly attacking the basket.
The Bears, like the Hoosiers, do possess an entirely new roster. However, they have power-five talent, which is something Indiana had not seen so far. This provided the ultimate test, which IU passed.
The Hoosiers’ three-headed monster of Lamar Wilkerson, pre-season honoree Tucker DeVries and Tayton Conerway scored 61 of the team’s 76 points. Conerway also hit the game-winning layup in the final 10 seconds as Indiana overcame an early deficit and a missed 3-pointer at the buzzer to come out on top.
Afterwards, DeVries spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Ryan Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Alex Bozich penned Five Takeaways and Josh Pos put together a column about the Hoosiers turning defense into offense.
With the exhibition contests now behind them, IU begins the regular season this week against Alabama A&M at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday on BTN.
Banner #2 – Football crushes Maryland to improve to 9-0
The football Hoosiers still have their highest ranking ever at No. 2 in the polls. Led by Heisman contender QB Fernando Mendoza and a strong running game, IU thrashed Maryland 55-10 to improve to 9-0. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti improved to a whopping 20-2 in his brief tenure so far.
As the Hoosiers cruise towards 12-0 and a spot in their first-ever Big Ten title game, their biggest remaining challenge that could derail them comes next weekend. IU will take on a struggling but extremely talented Penn State Nittany Lions squad on the road in a place they have never won. However, for the first time in Happy Valley, Indiana will be a heavy favorite.
Banner #3 – Hoosiers land commitment from four-star wing Vaughn Karvala
The fall recruiting season is winding down as IU basketball looks to add more prospects for the 2026 class. This weekend represented a chance to land another player for next year when Vaughn Karvala announced his college choice.
After a few misses, the Hoosiers came out on top this time for a top-50 prospect, beating out Xavier and Cal for his services. Karvala joins Prince-Alexander Moody as the second member for next year’s class.
Banner #4 – IU basketball announces coaches radio show schedule for 2025-26 season
A fan favorite show had its schedule released. DeVries and women’s coach Teri Moren do shows on select weeks and what dates it will be on in 2025-2026 were revealed a few days ago.
In other broadcasting news, a former Hoosier legend was hired by Peacock for this year. Calbert Cheaney will be a studio analyst for the streaming service going forward.
Banner #5 – Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
Inside the Hall’s Podcast On The Brink returned this week. On it, ITH’s own Josh Pos joined Alex Bozich for a discussion of Hoosier basketball and football.
The Back Home Network has several new shows. As a result, it was on air many times this week with programming.
Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup
• Volleyball got back to its winning ways and remains ranked, topping Northwestern and Maryland in sweeps.
• Women’s basketball dominated Missouri S&T in an exhibition matchup.
• Field hockey beat Michigan State but was defeated by Michigan. However, they qualified for the Big Ten Tourney, which they are hosting.
• Men’s soccer fell to Northwestern.
• Women’s soccer lost to Iowa to close its 2025 season.
• Women’s golf finished eighth at the Landfall Tradition.
• Men’s golf placed 15th at the Ka’anapali Classic.
• Cross country finished 11th (women) and 12th (men) at the Big Ten championships.
• Wrestling competed at the Wrestle-Offs and had a couple of athletes honored by the league in the preseason.
• Men’s tennis announced its 2026 schedule.
• Swimming and diving earned several weekly conference awards.
Now go enjoy yourself a 6-Banner Sunday.
Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor
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