6-Banner Sunday: IU basketball set to conclude exhibition play against Baylor
- 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 has its final exhibition game today with its new look team against Baylor. On Saturday, IU football won again, remaining undefeated.
Also, there were a couple of key recruiting updates and Inside the Hall continued its series previewing each Hoosier player in detail. As usual, we will conclude with weekly shows and a look at other IU sports, which was highlighted by men’s soccer beating Wisconsin.
Here is what is in this week’s edition:
• Hoosiers take on Baylor today in Indianapolis in an exhibition
• Football crushes UCLA to remain unbeaten
• IU basketball recruiting updates
• Inside the Hall’s IU player preview series
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup
Banner #1 – Hoosiers take on Baylor today in Indianapolis in an exhibition
Under new IU head coach Darian DeVries, Hoosier fans were promised a more modern offense that emphasizes the 3-point shot. Against overmatched Marian, Indiana used this newfound strategy to perfection.
Now is its final tune-up before games officially count. This is in the form of IU’s toughest test to date when it faces Baylor at 1 p.m. ET today in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game will be available to view via subscription only on BIG+.
The Bears, like the Hoosiers, possess an entirely new roster. However, they have power-five talent, which is something Indiana has not seen so far, making for an interesting challenge.
Also, with the season nearly here, a fan favorite is now available for both IU basketball teams. This item is the yearly floating heads poster, now available for purchase at the price of $11.99.
Banner #2 – Football crushes UCLA to remain unbeaten
The football Hoosiers have their highest ranking ever at No. 2 in the polls. However, the team suffered a key injury to a defensive lineman that will likely keep him out for the rest of the season.
Given the depth at this position, IU was more than able to compensate and made easy work of surging UCLA, winning 56-6. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza continued to improve his Heisman candidacy and draft stock, tossing three more touchdowns in the demolition.
With coach Curt Cignetti now in Bloomington for the long term, Indiana improved to 8-0. They are cruising towards an undefeated regular season and a date with No. 1 Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.
Their next game is this coming Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS against Maryland. At this point, it would be a surprise if the Hoosiers are not in their second straight College Football Playoff.
Banner #3 – IU basketball recruiting updates
The fall recruiting season is winding down as IU basketball tries to add more prospects for 2026. The Hoosiers missed on another top target with blue-chipper Anthony Thompson choosing Big Ten rival Ohio State.
Indiana’s next and best chance to land another player for next year is this coming Saturday, when Vaughn Karvala announces his college choice. Karvala is a top-50 prospect and the Hoosiers will need to beat out Xavier and Cal for his services.
Banner #4 – Inside the Hall’s IU player preview series
Inside the Hall continued its series previewing all of IU’s players in detail, highlighted by the presumed leading scorer Tucker DeVries.
Also previewed were projected contributors Sam Alexis and Reed Bailey.
Banner #5 – Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
Inside the Hall’s Podcast on the Brink returned this week. On it, IU Film Room’s Tony Adragna joined Alex Bozich for a preseason discussion of Hoosier Basketball.
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
• Highly ranked men’s soccer continued what has been a fruitful Indiana athletics season so far across the board.
This week, they beat Wisconsin before falling to elite Maryland.
• Women’s soccer upset a historically elite program in Penn State this week.
• Field hockey continued its hot streak, beating Penn State and Ohio State to move into the national rankings.
• Volleyball got back to its winning ways and remains ranked, topping Ohio State before falling to elite Minnesota.
• Swimming and diving dominated rival Kentucky.
• Men’s golf finished 15th at the Quail Valley Collegiate Classic.
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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