6-Banner Sunday: IU’s struggles against elite competition continue with losses to Purdue and Wisconsin

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Trueblood Real Estate, 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’s time on the court started and ended very badly this week. The Hoosiers struggled mightily at home and on the road against elite competition.

In other news, women’s basketball beat Minnesota, new Bracketology updates were released and several episodes from this week’s shows were released. We will, as usual, conclude with a look at other Indiana sports led by a victory for swimming and diving.

Here is what’s in this week’s edition:

• Hoosiers dominated by Purdue at home
• IU handled by Wisconsin on the road
• IU women defeat Minnesota
• Bracketology updates
• Weekly radio shows and podcasts
• Hoosier Roundup

IU men’s basketball will play five games this season on Peacock and the women will play seven, making the streaming service essential 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! (The link is an Inside the Hall affiliate link, so a commission will be paid to ITH if you click and subscribe to Peacock. Alex and the ITH team appreciate your support!)

Banner #1 – Hoosiers dominated by Purdue at home

Assembly Hall had been relatively friendly to Indiana so far. Except for a close loss to an elite Kansas team, the Hoosiers were unbeaten on Branch McCracken Court.

However, this all changed on Tuesday when the Hoosiers were blown out by arch-rival Purdue. While previous coach Archie Miller never beat the Boilermakers, Mike Woodson had been quite good against IU’s in-state foes, winning three of four in his first two seasons.

While the No. 2 Boilers had the edge on paper, this contest was expected to be close, given the nature of the rivalry. Instead, reigning national player of the year Zach Edey was dominant. He helped hand the Hoosiers their worst loss in the series in Bloomington since 1934 in an 87-66 final.

Afterward, Woodson spoke, Inside The Hall had a Photo Gallery, Ryan Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Alex Bozich penned Five Takeaways, and Amanda Foster put together a column about the result. Also, Assembly Call had their postgame email and polls as well as a Film Room.

Banner #2 – IU handled by Wisconsin on the road

Games outside of Indiana continue to be a big struggle for the Hoosiers. When IU has left the state this season, they have been beaten soundly, except against Louisville and Michigan who have had their own problems on the court. Friday night was no exception as Wisconsin beat Indiana in the Kohl Center just as they have done every year since 1998. The Badgers dominated after the first few minutes in a 91-79 win.

Also, another Hoosier was ejected midway through the second half. This time, CJ Gunn picked up a flagrant two foul for elbowing Max Klesmit in the face away from the ball.

Afterward, Woodson spoke, Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Bozich penned Five Takeaways, and William McDermott put together a column about the squad’s mental mistakes. Also, Assembly Call had their postgame email, polls, and Film Room.

With the result Friday, the team is 12-7 overall. They also sit at 4-4 in the league with 12 regular season contests left. Indiana has most of the week off before returning to action next Saturday at 3 pm on Fox in another mammoth challenge at Illinois.

Banner #3 – IU women defeat Minnesota

The women took to the court on Wednesday this week. After the huge margin of defeat to Iowa last Saturday, the No. 16 Hoosiers rebounded by blowing out Minnesota at home 85-62. All-American Mackenzie Holmes scored 32 points in the demolition as the team improved to 15-2 overall and 6-1 in the league.

The squad returns to action Sunday when they face struggling arch-rival Purdue in Mackey Arena. Indiana will look for its 10th straight win in the series at 2 p.m. ET on Peacock (see above for subscription info).

Banner #4 – Bracketology updates

New bracketology was released for both the men’s and women’s teams. The women’s side continues to sit in a great position to begin March Madness at home for the third straight season with a NET inside the top 15. ESPN’s Charlie Creme has them as a four-seed hosting 13-seed Ball State. The other game in Assembly Hall would see five-seed Virginia Tech and 12-seed Richmond. The two winners would face off in Bloomington once again for a shot at the Sweet 16.

As for the men, their path is considerably less rosy as they sit well outside the field per bracketology by both ESPN’s Joe Lunardi and Assembly Call’s Andy Bottoms. With a NET of around 100, they have a lot of work to do if they do not want to rely on winning the league tournament to participate in March Madness.

Banner #5 – Weekly radio shows and podcasts

Inside the Hall and the Back Home Network had several new shows this week. ITH’s Podcast on the Brink had Bottoms on to discuss Bracketology.

Meanwhile, the Back Home Network was on air nearly every day this week. Assembly Call had postgame shows after Purdue and Wisconsin. On Thursday, AC Radio had an episode about the positives in this challenging season.

Also, Doing The Work was on following the Minnesota game, and will be again later Sunday with their 100th episode after the contest against the Boilers. Finally, X’s and Joes discussed roster construction.

Also, in a program not produced by ITH or Back Home Network, Woodson had his Monday radio show last week. It was the first time the program was on in 2024, following an extended holiday break.

Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup

• Top-10 swimming and diving knocked off ranked Michigan to improve to 5-0.

• New football coach Curt Cignetti did a sit-down interview with Don Fischer.

• Softball had a couple of players earn preseason recognition.

• Field hockey had a scholar-athlete of the month.

• Wrestling fell to Penn State and announced an alumni social would be held before Sunday’s dual with Maryland.

• Women’s Tennis beat Butler and Bellarmine in their season opener.

• Track and Field competed at the Indiana Invitational.

• 19 Hoosiers throughout the athletic department were honored for their academic excellence.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

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