Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are back to preview the 2025-26 college basketball season, diving deep into IU's transformed roster under first-year coach Darian DeVries and analyzing the landscape of college hoops in the NIL era. Even with football still riding high in Bloomington, it's time to turn attention to the hardwood.

Segment 1: The Big Money Conversation

The hosts discuss the seismic shifts in recruiting and compensation:

• Cignetti's $3 million raise and IU football's impact on the athletic department
• Ohio State reportedly paying Anthony Thompson $3+ million while their head coach makes $2.5 million
• Why IU's "whiff" on Thompson was actually smart strategy
• The psychology of the hot seat driving desperate roster decisions

Segment 2: Indiana Basketball Deep Dive - The DeVries System

Bob and Mike break down what makes DeVries' approach fundamentally different:

Offensive Evolution

• Pick-and-roll revolution with multiple skilled ball handlers creating unpredictability
• Screener deception making the screener a weapon again
• The passing upgrade: Two players with 30%+ assist rates (first time in 15 years)
• Conceptual principles vs. rigid sets from the past decade

The Defense Question

• West Virginia's top-20 defense proves DeVries can scheme effectively
• Tucker DeVries as a "free safety" goading turnovers
• Why size concerns about IU's bigs might be overblown

Roster Construction

• Experience over elite talent: The sweet spot model in action
• Team chemistry from players who've already played together
• Translatable skills from mid-majors to high-majors

Segment 3: Big Ten and National Landscape

• Purdue: Highest floor in the country but ceiling questions remain with Braden Smith's penetration limitations
• Houston: Kelvin Sampson's shocking three five-star haul after landing just two in 17 years
• Michigan: Portal royalty additions but can Elliot Cadeau finally live up to his potential?
• Kentucky & Louisville: Pope's spending spree vs. Pat Kelsey's three-point shooting arsenal that could set records
• Illinois: "The Belgrade of the Corn Belt" with multiple Balkan players including both Visic brothers
• Iowa & Minnesota: The Battle of the Drake Boys - seven former Drake players split between IU and Iowa as the Big Ten moves away from traditional Painter/Izzo/Bo Ryan models

Segment 4: The Clarity Problem - NIL Era Questions

• Big schools now poaching from each other (70% to 30% flip in three years)
• The $12-15 million championship roster question
• Sweet spot vs. superstar models after Florida's unconventional title run
• Economic limits forcing strategic choices even at major programs

Bob and Mike promise more Moneyball conversations about roster construction, an upcoming chat with author William Murphy about IU basketball history, and continued analysis as DeVries' system meets Big Ten competition.

On the mics: Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth

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