6-Banner Sunday: Non-conference schedule released for IU basketball
- Staff
- 25m 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 sports stories of the past week. 6-Banner Sunday is written by Ari Shifron.
A couple of major news stories happened on the hardwood this week as Indiana’s basketball programs announced their non-conference schedules. Another significant headline: Sam Alexis’ eligibility is now in doubt after a court ruling.
IU football wrapped up fall camp as it begins its season against North Texas next weekend and Inside the Hall concluded its series reviewing each basketball player’s summer. As usual, we will conclude with a look at the weekly shows and the rest of the IU sports scene, which was led by men’s soccer.
Here is what is in this week’s edition:
• Men’s and Women’s basketball announce non-conference schedules
• Sam Alexis now ineligible after court ruling
• Fall camp continues for IU football
• Inside the Hall’s IU basketball summer in review series concludes
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup
Banner #1 – Men’s and Women’s basketball announce non-conference schedules
The basketball Hoosiers are among the many teams in the league to see mass turnover on their roster. With the use of the transfer portal, IU is expected to be much improved this upcoming fall.
A lot of this, though, depends on how Indiana does in their pre-Big Ten schedule, which was announced this week. It presents opportunities, as arguably the most difficult slate in several years. While no true road games are included, three neutral-site showdowns with Syracuse (Nov. 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse) and Kentucky (Nov. 20 at Lucas Oil Stadium) in Indianapolis, as well as Arkansas (Nov. 17) at Madison Square Garden in New York, offer major prospects for the resume.
Also, the Hoosiers will host two opponents with postseason aspirations in Assembly Hall later in the fall with UCF (Dec. 12) and Missouri (Dec. 18). The season opener is also in Bloomington against Eastern Illinois (Nov. 2).
Finally, three exhibition games against high-end competition around the state won’t count towards the final record, but should help prepare IU for tough tests that do shortly after. These games are once again in Indianapolis at Butler (Oct. 11) and North Carolina at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Oct. 18), as well as facing Western Kentucky (Oct. 25) in Evansville. With the Big Ten tournament also at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Hoosiers will have at least five games in their state’s capital in 2026-2027.
Also, women’s basketball announced its schedule for non-conference play. Their slate is less difficult and opens at home with Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 3. The only time they will leave Bloomington before Big Ten play is over Thanksgiving Break when they head to Fort Myers, Florida, for a Holiday tournament on Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 against Mississippi State and Georgia Tech. Also, the only other contests against power-five competition outside the league are against Boston College (Dec. 2) and Florida State (Dec. 20), both of which struggled last year.
Banner #2 – Sam Alexis now ineligible after court ruling
Indiana basketball seemingly received a surprise addition to its 2026-2027 roster in a position of need. As it turns out, Sam Alexis was among those fighting for an additional year of eligibility.
A temporary injunction in Tennessee initially ruled in favor of Alexis and other members of the 2022 high school recruiting class, allowing them to play in the 2026-2027 season. Alexis then made it known he would choose to play for IU, which still had an open scholarship.
However, this is very much in question now after the Tennessee Court of Appeals issued an order staying the original temporary injunction. This ruling affects several other players and gives the NCAA a legal victory. What happens next is unclear, as various court rulings have made players both eligible and ineligible multiple times, as has occurred with Alexis and several other IU athletes, as well as with players nationwide.
Banner #3 – Fall camp continues for IU football
IU football’s defense of its national title will kick off next Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Hoosiers are once again expected to be near the top of the conference and amongst the best teams in college football.
With expectations so high, Indiana continued fall practice for the upcoming season as the first game comes into view. Indeed, the showdown against North Texas is less than one week away, and who will play big roles in this contest and throughout the year is becoming increasingly apparent, save for cornerback.
The program held media availability last week. Curt Cignetti gave his weekly update on practice so far this fall and Inside the Hall had a full transcript of his quotes. Additionally, Cignetti appeared in a new State Farm commercial.
In terms of players, wide receiver Tyler Morris, defensive lineman Mario Landino and kicker Nico Radicic were at the podium. Inside the Hall had a full transcript of their quotes.
Banner #4 – Inside the Hall’s IU basketball summer in review series concludes
Inside the Hall wrapped up its series reviewing each player’s summer in detail with Bryce Lindsay.
Banner #5 – Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
Podcast on the Brink returned twice this week. One episode discussed a new documentary about IU legendary broadcaster Don Fischer with lead producer and writer Mark Alesia. The other previewed the upcoming football season with Inside the Hall’s own Ian Plaskoff.
The Back Home Network has many shows. As a result, it was on air several times this week with programming.
Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup
• Men’s soccer continued its dominance of in-state competition, knocking off Evansville as well as Butler to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Assembly Call was on site for the contest against the Bulldogs and had a recap of the game as well as a rundown of systemic issues threatening college soccer’s viability, which IU is at the forefront of trying to get corrected, but major hurdles remain. Also, newcomer Oliver Moller-Jensen has dominated early and was honored nationally and a couple of former Hoosiers advanced further in their pro careers.
• Women’s soccer fell to Xavier.
• Volleyball lost its opener to an elite Louisville squad on the road.
• Field Hockey lost its opener to top-10 Miami (OH). Also, several players were recognized by the conference as well as nationally.
• Baseball announced its fall exhibition roster.
• Wrestling signed a player.
• Finally, IU Athletics is taking part in promoting a major blood drive. Also, major updates were made to the Mobile App for Hoosier Athletics.
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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