6-Banner Sunday: Indiana improves to 11-3 with wins against Winthrop and Rutgers

  • Jan 5, 2025 9:14 am
 

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.

Indiana had a couple of victories this week, including one as conference play resumed. Meanwhile, the women fought top-ranked UCLA but ultimately lost.

In addition, readers will find information about the NCAA tournament projections and weekly shows. As usual, we will conclude with a look at other IU sports, led by a massive win for swimming and diving.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Hoosiers beat Rutgers as Big Ten play resumes
• IU edges Winthrop in non-conference finale
• IU women fall to No. 1 UCLA in hard-fought battle
• NCAA tournament outlook
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup

IU men’s basketball will play six games this season on Peacock and the women will play five contests on Peacock, making the streaming service a must-have for IU basketball fans. Sign up for Peacock using Inside the Hall’s link to help support the site and also enjoy Big Ten hoops all season long! In total, over 70 men’s and women’s games featuring Big Ten teams will air on Peacock this season (The link is an Inside the Hall affiliate link, so a commission will be paid to ITH if you click and subscribe to Peacock.)

Banner #1 – Hoosiers beat Rutgers as Big Ten play resumes

IU has had difficulty with Rutgers in recent years. However, the physical play and strong defensive system the Scarlet Knights have overwhelmed the Hoosiers with have been thrown out for the top talent of two elite freshmen. As a result, Rutgers has struggled with chemistry since the season began and one of the duo of the star newcomers missed the game.

While the remaining one in Ace Bailey had an incredible night in Bloomington with 39 points and making several tough shots, the Scarlet Knights did little else well all evening. Ultimately, Indiana won 84-74 despite Malik Reneau going out early with an injury and not returning. Oumar Ballo returned to the lineup in his place and teamed with Myles Rice to lead their squad to victory. Rice led with 21 points while Ballo added 17 as IU improved to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in league play.

Afterward, IU coach Mike Woodson spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Ryan Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Alex Bozich put together Five Takeaways, and Matt Press penned a column about the convincing win.

Banner #2 – IU edges Winthrop in non-conference finale

The strange tendency of being more dominant against power-5 teams than mid-majors at Assembly Hall continued against Winthrop. The Hoosiers struggled all night with the Eagles and led by just one point late in the game before prevailing 77-68. Rice again led Indiana in scoring with 18 points, while Reneau added 14 points.

Afterward, IU coach Mike Woodson spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Ryan Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, while Alex Bozich put together Five Takeaways.

The Hoosiers return to action at noon today against Penn State on BTN. The contest will take place on a neutral site in Philadelphia at the historic Palestra.

Banner #3 – IU women fall to No. 1 UCLA in hard-fought battle

While IU gave no. 1 UCLA all they could handle, the Hoosiers fell 73-62 to the more talented Bruins. The Hoosiers gave UCLA a fight but went just 4-21 from long range. Yarden Garzon led Indiana with 19 points, but star 6-7 center Lauren Betts dominated inside for the visitors with 25 points.

When IU returns to the road on Wednesday, it will face Northwestern, the team struggling most in the conference. The Hoosiers are 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the league.

Banner #4: NCAA tournament outlook

While the men’s team record is a game better than the women’s squad, the women have a significantly better outlook for postseason play. The men have plenty of opportunities to improve their resume, but they sit well outside the tournament picture at the moment with a NET in the 60s and no quad-one wins.

On the other hand, the women have several noteworthy victories and a NET in the 30’s. As a result, they are projected as an eight-seed in the latest Bracketology.

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

Podcast on the Brink had a new episode this week. It featured a crossover with Assembly Call and Delphi Bracketology’s Brian Tonsoni to discuss where the Hoosiers sit in the postseason picture.

The Back Home Network was on-air multiple times in the last few days. Assembly Call Postgame, Crimson Cast, Doing The Work, and Dribble Drive.

Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup

• No. 2 men’s swimming and diving knocked off No. 4 Florida while the women fell to the Gators.

• Football announced a new QB coach to replace Tino Sunseri.

• Soccer had four Hoosiers receive postseason honors.

• Wrestling finished fourth at the Midlands Championship.

• Women’s tennis added an assistant coach.

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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