6-Banner Sunday: Assembly Ball wins TBT opener, will face Men of Mackey tonight
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.
The much-hyped Assembly Ball squad made its TBT debut. While it was closer than expected, the Indiana alumni squad ultimately won.
Besides this, former Hoosiers in the NBA, recruiting updates, the MLB draft, and weekly shows. We will as usual conclude with a look at other IU sports led by an addition to the coaching staff for water polo.
Here is what’s in this week’s edition:
• IU’s alum squad wins TBT opener
• Hoosiers in the pros update
• Recruiting updates
• Several Hoosiers selected in the MLB draft
• Weekly Shows
• Hoosier Roundup
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Banner #1 – IU’s alum squad wins TBT opener
While the IU basketball season is still months away, the opener for the Assembly Ball squad made up of former Hoosier players made its debut in the TBT. Led by Indiana legend Yogi Ferrell, the team ultimately came out on top in a closer-than-expected contest 89-79.
Ferrell returned to his hometown of Indianapolis and dazzled inside Hinkle Fieldhouse with 27 points on 9-14 shooting, including four three-pointers. Juwan Morgan also made a solid contribution, scoring in double figures with 12 points.
The next challenge will be tonight at 8 pm on FS1 when arch-rival Purdue’s alums go head-to-head with the onetime IU players at Butler University once again. Tickets for this can be purchased here with the winner of the entire event receiving a one-million dollar prize.
Banner #2 – Hoosiers in the pros update
Former Hoosier Kel’el Ware continued his strong play in the summer league. Ware had yet another double-double as he continued to show he has potential for much NBA success with the Miami Heat.
Ware is not the only former IU player competing here at the moment. He is joined by Trayce Jackson-Davis after a strong rookie campaign as well as Miller Kopp.
Banner #3 – Recruiting updates
As is typical in the summer, a couple of updates involving recruiting occurred. This included 2025 target Eric Reibe having IU on the list of schools he is considering.
Besides this, a few highlight videos were released of high school players the Hoosiers are seriously looking at. This included Nate Ament, Malachi Moreno, Braylon Mullins, and Trent Sisley.
Banner #4 – Several Hoosiers selected in the MLB draft
The baseball Hoosiers continue to be the most successfully consistent program in the Big Ten. 2024 was the team’s second straight NCAA tournament appearance and eighth in the last 11 seasons.
Now another handful of IU players will likely take the next step into the pros after being drafted by several different MLB squads. Six Indiana players including Luke Sinnard (third round), Nick Mitchell (fourth round), Carter Mathison (fifth round), Conor Foley (fifth round), Brock Tibbitts (13th round), and Brayden Risedorph (20th round).
The half-dozen Hoosiers taken were the most for the team since 2021, bringing the total number to 24 in IU coach Jeff Mercer’s tenure. It was also the most for any squad in the conference this year.
Banner #5 – Weekly Shows
The Back Home Network had several new shows this week. Austin Render, the primary radio announcer for baseball and women’s basketball at IU has started his own show on BHN called The Dribble Drive. The fifth episode was released last Monday. Also, Assembly Call Radio and Doing The Work returned to the air, as did Crimson Cast.
Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup
• Water polo named a new assistant coach. Also, 20 team members received academic honors.
• Softball had an incoming freshman named as a first-team All-American.
• 14 track and field athletes received academic honors. Also, a program legend had a street named after him.
• Field hockey had a player compete in the U21 EuroHockey Championships.
• Swimming and diving had two athletes of the year.
• Men’s tennis had a player receive an NCAA post-graduate scholarship.
Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.
Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor
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