CrimsonCast

Coming to you from Hawaii, Galen Clavio puts a bow on a wild April in IU sports and answers two big listener questions—one about college football, one about Indiana basketball.

First, Galen reacts to the semi-viral Kirby Smart comments about why the Big Ten has won three straight national titles, and explains why “blue chip ratio” arguments don’t tell the whole story anymore in the NIL/portal era. He breaks down why evaluation, development, and coaching innovation matter more than ever—and why Indiana’s championship season is the ultimate counterexample to old assumptions.

Then he shifts to basketball and the news that student seating at Assembly Hall is changing, with students moving into both end zones. Galen explains why that’s a smart atmosphere play, how it can help IU re-create real home-court advantage, and why making Assembly Hall feel electric again will take both roster improvement and structural changes.

It’s Derby week—and we’re diving into one of the most fun (and chaotic) betting events of the year 🏇

In this episode of CrimsonCASH, we break down the Kentucky Derby from a bettor’s perspective: how to approach the race, what actually matters, and the horses we’re putting money on. Whether you’re a seasoned degenerate or someone who only bets the Derby once a year, this one’s for you.

We keep it simple, fun, and actionable—no overcomplicated trifecta math required.

• How to read the Kentucky Derby board (without losing your mind)
• Why gate position matters more than you think
• Favorites vs long shots (and why favorites rarely win)
• Our betting strategy for the race
• Horses we like, including:
• Horses we’re fading and why

Plus:

• Quick breakdown of betting types (win/place/show, exacta, trifecta)
• DK Horse app tips and what to expect
• Bonus: a legit mint julep recipe for Derby Day 🍹

If you’re building a Derby card this weekend, this is a great place to start.

Drop your picks in the comments—especially if you’ve got a long shot we should be on 👇

Subscribe for more betting talk, IU angles, and weekly CrimsonCASH episodes on the Back Home Network.

Galen Clavio is joined by Sydney Parrish for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with Sydney’s growing broadcasting career — what she’s learned on camera, what surprised her about the work, and how her playing background shapes the way she sees the game.Then the focus turns to Indiana women’s basketball and the offseason reset: what Teri Moren’s program is building with a strong incoming freshman class, how the portal additions fit, and why next season’s roster looks like a better blend of talent, shooting, and versatility after a “growing pains” year. They also discuss the unique challenges of the modern women’s game — travel, physicality, height matchups across conferences — and what Indiana needs to do to climb back into the Big Ten’s top tier.

Live from the Memorial Stadium parking lot right after Indiana’s spring game, Galen Clavio is joined by CFB with Sam to break down what they saw, what matters, and what to take with the necessary spring-game caveats (especially with much of the offensive line out).

They discuss the biggest standouts — including Turbo Richard’s burst in the run game, Tyler Morris’ highlight touchdown catch, early impressions of Josh Hoover, and how deep the receiver room looks with Nick Marsh, Shazz Preston, and more. On defense, they highlight the front’s penetration, the depth/versatility up front, and why this unit again looks like it can be a weekly problem for opposing coordinators. They also hit special teams (two huge-leg kickers!), the recruiting weekend atmosphere, and what this event says about Indiana’s momentum after the national title.

Galen Clavio previews the Little 500 races from Bill Armstrong Stadium as Bloomington gears up for the biggest weekend of the year — including the 75th running of the men’s race. Galen is joined by two senior IU student broadcasters who will be on the call this weekend: Zach Browning (women’s race play-by-play) and Nick Rodecap (men’s race play-by-play).

Zach breaks down the women’s field, starting with Theta on the pole and the chase group behind them (including Teter, Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Melanzana, CSF, and more), plus how weather could affect race-day strategy.

Then Nick previews a loaded men’s race, headlined by Cutters’ dominant spring series and Black Key Bulls’ quest for a three-peat — with SAE, Fiji, Sig Ep, and a deep group of contenders ready to make it a chess match over 200 laps.

The NFL Draft is here — and for once, IU fans actually have real skin in the game.

James & Scott break down the biggest draft betting angles, where Indiana players could land, and how to approach one of the weirdest (and most unpredictable) betting markets out there. Then we shift to NBA futures and playoff value plays — including why we’re fading the obvious favorites and where the real money might be hiding.

If you like smart betting talk with a little chaos mixed in… this one’s for you.

In this episode:

• IU players to watch in the NFL Draft (and how high they could go)
• Omar Cooper Jr. draft position + first-round expectations
• Fernando Mendoza odds, wild futures, and longshot darts
• Draft betting strategy: how to actually find value (not just guess picks)
• Colts draft tendencies (and why they might do the same thing again…)
• Over/under on IU players drafted 👀
• NBA playoff futures — best value vs. biggest traps
• Why betting MVP markets can beat picking outright winners
• Teams we trust (and teams we absolutely don’t)

No fluff — just real angles, real bets, and a few takes that might age very well (or very badly).

Subscribe for more CrimsonCASH — part of the Back Home Network.

It’s a CrimsonCast x The Big Red Carpet crossover as Galen Clavio and Rhett Lewis preview the NFL Draft and break down where Indiana’s championship stars could go — and what a massive draft weekend would mean for the IU football brand moving forward.

They start with the headliner: Fernando Mendoza as the likely No. 1 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, then run through the next wave of Hoosiers with real draft momentum — including Omar Cooper Jr., D’Angelo Ponds, Elijah Sarratt, Aidan Fisher, and more. They also discuss why IU’s developmental pipeline under Curt Cignetti and OC Mike Shanahan is now a tangible NFL selling point, and how “you can’t buy that marketing” moments change recruiting, perception, and portal choices.

Galen Clavio is joined by pop culture writer and editor Abby Gardner (We Have Notes) for a completely different kind of CrimsonCast: a deep dive into Fernando Mendoza as a pop culture phenomenon.

They break down how Mendoza went from “cool Cal postgame clip” to Heisman winner + national champion + presumed No. 1 pick, and why his vibe is so distinctive in 2026 sports culture: the earnestness, the “try-hard in the best way,” the nerd confidence, and the way his persona feels authentic across every platform. They also discuss the Esquire feature (including the fashion/styling choices), why Gen Z responds to “different kinds of masculinity” in sports, and how Mendoza’s next stage with the Las Vegas Raiders could reshape both his image and the franchise’s identity.

Galen Clavio is joined by Emma Watson and Ben Portnoy (Sports Business Journal) to break down what it’s really like to attend The Masters at Augusta National—from the moment you park for free and walk through the gates, to the “choose-your-own-adventure” way you experience the course, to the small details that make Augusta feel like a different universe.

They talk about why the event actually lives up to the hype, how the no-phone policy changes the vibe, the underrated best viewing spots (including a legendary setup on the 6th fairway), what it’s like hearing caddie/golfer strategy up close, and why Augusta’s broadcast and writing “mystique” is rooted in real visual storytelling.

And yes… they also get into the gnome madness and the pro shop merch experience (including the moment Emma got separated from Galen and had to ask a security guard for help).

Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield kick off a packed April episode with Little 500 week, IU football spring game week, and the NFL Draft featuring a bevy of Hoosiers.

Then it’s the big story on the hardwood: Indiana men’s basketball has assembled one of the top transfer portal classes in the country, giving Darian DeVries a real foundation to build on. Galen and Scott talk roster construction, why this portal haul feels different from prior years, and what still needs to be added (especially depth in the frontcourt) as the market continues to settle.

After the break, the focus shifts to football: what to expect from Thursday night’s spring game (including your first real look at newcomers like Nick Marsh and Josh Hoover) and why this is becoming a major cultural event now that season tickets are sold out. Then they close with the NFL Draft—why Fernando Mendoza is tracking toward becoming IU’s highest-drafted player ever, and how many other Hoosiers could hear their names called, including Omar Cooper Jr. and D’Angelo Ponds.