6-Banner Sunday: IU beats Morehead State and North Alabama to improve to 9-3
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.
After a heartbreaking loss to Kansas, the Hoosiers took the court twice this week against lesser competition. While it was not always pretty, the team did come out on top both times.
As for the women, they won a couple of contests in dominant fashion by a combined 102 points. Away from Assembly Hall, both Mike Woodson and the Back Home Network had new shows this week. We will as usual conclude with a look at other IU sports led by national signing day for football.
Here is what’s in this week’s edition:
• Hoosiers hit 12 3’s and cruise past North Alabama
• IU edges Morehead State after trailing by 15
• IU women defeat Evansville and Bowling Green
• Mike Woodson radio show
• Back Home Network shows
• 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 hit 12 3’s and cruise past North Alabama
While the Cream and Crimson have yet to suffer a bad loss, the contests against mid-major competition had been far closer than expected. This has led to low metrics and a NET ranking hovering around 100. A lot of the struggles have been due to poor outside shooting.
That all changed on Thursday night, though, when the Hoosiers hit 12-for-24 from downtown and got their first easy victory in non-conference play by defeating North Alabama. The final was 83-66 as Malik Reneau led Indiana with 25 points while IU improved to 9-3 overall.
Afterward, IU coach Mike Woodson spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Ryan Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Alex Bozich penned Five Takeaways, while Amanda Foster put together a column on the solid 3-point shooting. Also, Assembly Call had their postgame polls and email as well as a Film Room.
Banner #2 – IU edges Morehead State after trailing by 15
The earlier game this week against Morehead State continued the trend of making matchups with non-power five teams far more difficult than they need to be. This one was even closer than the others, though. The Hoosiers needed a late rally to overcome a 15-point deficit and barely edge out the Eagles 69-68. In doing so, Indiana avoided a very damaging loss on the resume by the skin of their teeth.
Afterward, Woodson spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Bozich penned Five Takeaways, while Kevin Vera put together a column on IU’s rally to barely come out on top.
Also, Assembly Call had their postgame polls and email. The Hoosiers are off until after Christmas when they take on Kennesaw State this coming Friday. This will be their final non-conference tune-up before returning to Big Ten play.
Banner #3 – IU women defeat Evansville and Bowling Green
The women had no trouble with lesser competition and mid-major opponents this week. They defeated Evansville 109-56 on Monday before knocking off Bowling Green 84-35 on Friday. In doing so, the Hoosiers moved their NET ranking from the 30s to No. 17.
No. 16/15 Indiana improved to 10-1 on the season with the blowout victories. They return to play in a much deeper-than-in-the-past Big Ten against Illinois on New Year’s Eve. IU will look to repeat as conference champions for the second consecutive season and host NCAA Tournament games at home for the third straight year.
Banner #4 – Mike Woodson radio show
Mike Woodson was on air Monday as usual with his weekly radio show. This was the final episode of 2023, as there will not be one tomorrow with the Christmas holiday.
Banner #5 – Back Home Network shows
The Back Home Network was on-air a few times this week. Assembly Call had postgame shows for both Morehead State and North Alabama.
Meanwhile, Doing The Work had an episode on Wednesday to recap the Evansville game. Also, the debut of X’s and Joe’s occurred with Mike Wiemuth and Bob Moats. Finally, Crimson Cast’s Galen Clavio did a live show during the contest with the Eagles.
Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup
• New IU football coach Curt Cignetti officially signed his first recruiting class, including a highly-ranked quarterback from Indiana Tyler Cherry. Also, linebacker Aaron Casey received more postseason recognition to lead several Hoosiers.
• Wrestling competed at the Sheridan Tournament.
• Men’s Soccer had a trio of players taken in the MLS Super Draft. Also, the postseason awards continue to come as four players made Top Drawer’s Postseason Lists, two were named Academic All-Americans, and two made the All-Freshmen Team. Finally, former Hoosier Caleb Porter was named the coach of the New England Revolution.
• Volleyball signed four to their 2024 class, Camryn Haworth was named a fourth-team All-American, and Kaley Rammelsberg inked a pro contract to play professionally in Finland.
• Women’s Tennis signed a five-star recruit and released their upcoming spring schedule.
Thanks for your continued support for 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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