This episode was recorded on Thursday, September 17th.In this episode of The Assembly Call, Andy Bottoms, Ryan Phillips, and Brian Tonsoni break down Indiana’s newly released Big Ten schedule and debate whether it gives the Hoosiers a favorable path through conference play. They also discuss IU’s newest recruiting commitment and share early impressions of the football team.The schedule appears manageable early, but the closing stretch is another story. The guys explore:<ul><li>Where Indiana has its best opportunity to build momentum</li><li>The road games that may be tougher than they look</li><li>Why playing the Big Ten’s best teams at home matters</li><li>Whether IU can withstand a brutal finish</li></ul>Also, Ryan offers an initial scouting report on Indiana’s new seven-foot commitment, while the crew considers what the addition says about the program’s recruiting strategy. They also touch on preseason Big Ten projections and strong starts across IU Athletics.The show closes with early reactions to Indiana football’s 2–0 start, including Josh Hoover’s encouraging play and the questions that remain before conference competition begins.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, September 17th. In this episode of The Assembly Call, Andy Bottoms, Ryan Phillips, and Brian Tonsoni break down Indiana’s newly released Big Ten schedule and debate whether it gives the Hoosiers a favorable path through conference play. They also discuss IU’s newest recruiting commitment and share early impressions of the football team. The schedule appears manageable early, but the closing stretch is another story. The guys explore:Where Indiana has its best opportunity to build momentumThe road games that may be tougher than they lookWhy playing the Big Ten’s best teams at home mattersWhether IU can withstand a brutal finishAlso, Ryan offers an initial scouting report on Indiana’s new seven-foot commitment, while the crew considers what the addition says about the program’s recruiting strategy. They also touch on preseason Big Ten projections and strong starts across IU Athletics. The show closes with early reactions to Indiana football’s 2–0 start, including Josh Hoover’s encouraging play and the questions that remain before conference competition begins.

[1128] Big Ten Schedule and a New Center Commit

It’s a great time to be a Hoosier. Brian Tonsoni is joined by Ryan Phillips and Bob Moats to break down Indiana basketball’s newly released non-conference schedule, sort through the latest eligibility questions, and get ready for the defending national champion football Hoosiers to open the 2026 season against North Texas. <ul><li>Sam Alexis’ eligibility remains unresolved, sparking a broader discussion about the NCAA, professional contracts, Summer League participation, and where college eligibility rules should ultimately draw the line. </li><li>Victor Oladipo is attempting an NBA comeback, while a new documentary celebrates longtime Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer.</li><li>Indiana volleyball earns a huge five-set victory over defending national champion Texas A&M, while IU men’s soccer continues its strong start. </li></ul> The guys dig into a schedule featuring five power-conference opponents, including neutral-site matchups with Syracuse, Arkansas and Kentucky, plus home dates against UCF and Missouri. Add exhibitions against Butler, North Carolina and Western Kentucky, and IU will have plenty of opportunities to learn about itself before Big Ten play. <ul><li>Why the Arkansas-Kentucky back-to-back could provide an early measuring stick.</li><li>How marquee games at Madison Square Garden and Lucas Oil can help Indiana build its NCAA Tournament résumé.</li><li>Why the schedule feels appropriately ambitious for a veteran roster—and why the Big Ten alone can’t be counted on to provide enough quality opportunities. </li><li>The overlooked value of games against teams like Bellarmine and Tennessee Tech, whose styles could give IU useful early-season tests even if they aren’t marquee opponents. </li><li>And what would constitute a successful record in those five biggest non-conference games.</li></ul> Finally, attention turns to Memorial Stadium as Curt Cignetti and the defending national champions begin another season. Expectations have changed dramatically: IU has reloaded, the entire home schedule is sold out, and simply getting to six wins feels like ancient history. The guys discuss what to watch against North Texas, why nobody should overreact to the first game, and how football success is changing the entire Bloomington experience—from ticket demand and hotel prices to the atmosphere surrounding every home Saturday.

It’s a great time to be a Hoosier. Brian Tonsoni is joined by Ryan Phillips and Bob Moats to break down Indiana basketball’s newly released non-conference schedule, sort through the latest eligibility questions, and get ready for the defending national champion football Hoosiers to open the 2026 season against North Texas. Sam Alexis’ eligibility remains unresolved, sparking a broader discussion about the NCAA, professional contracts, Summer League participation, and where college eligibility rules should ultimately draw the line. Victor Oladipo is attempting an NBA comeback, while a new documentary celebrates longtime Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer.Indiana volleyball earns a huge five-set victory over defending national champion Texas A&M, while IU men’s soccer continues its strong start. The guys dig into a schedule featuring five power-conference opponents, including neutral-site matchups with Syracuse, Arkansas and Kentucky, plus home dates against UCF and Missouri. Add exhibitions against Butler, North Carolina and Western Kentucky, and IU will have plenty of opportunities to learn about itself before Big Ten play. Why the Arkansas-Kentucky back-to-back could provide an early measuring stick.How marquee games at Madison Square Garden and Lucas Oil can help Indiana build its NCAA Tournament résumé.Why the schedule feels appropriately ambitious for a veteran roster—and why the Big Ten alone can’t be counted on to provide enough quality opportunities. The overlooked value of games against teams like Bellarmine and Tennessee Tech, whose styles could give IU useful early-season tests even if they aren’t marquee opponents. And what would constitute a successful record in those five biggest non-conference games. Finally, attention turns to Memorial Stadium as Curt Cignetti and the defending national champions begin another season. Expectations have changed dramatically: IU has reloaded, the entire home schedule is sold out, and simply getting to six wins feels like ancient history. The guys discuss what to watch against North Texas, why nobody should overreact to the first game, and how football success is changing the entire Bloomington experience—from ticket demand and hotel prices to the atmosphere surrounding every home Saturday.

It’s a great time to be a Hoosier. Brian Tonsoni is joined by Ryan Phillips and Bob Moats to break down Indiana basketball’s newly released non-conference schedule, sort through the latest eligibility questions, and get ready for the defending national champion football Hoosiers to open the 2026 season against North Texas. <ul><li>Sam Alexis’ eligibility remains unresolved, sparking a broader discussion about the NCAA, professional contracts, Summer League participation, and where college eligibility rules should ultimately draw the line. </li><li>Victor Oladipo is attempting an NBA comeback, while a new documentary celebrates longtime Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer.</li><li>Indiana volleyball earns a huge five-set victory over defending national champion Texas A&amp;M, while IU men’s soccer continues its strong start. </li></ul> The guys dig into a schedule featuring five power-conference opponents, including neutral-site matchups with Syracuse, Arkansas and Kentucky, plus home dates against UCF and Missouri. Add exhibitions against Butler, North Carolina and Western Kentucky, and IU will have plenty of opportunities to learn about itself before Big Ten play. <ul><li>Why the Arkansas-Kentucky back-to-back could provide an early measuring stick.</li><li>How marquee games at Madison Square Garden and Lucas Oil can help Indiana build its NCAA Tournament résumé.</li><li>Why the schedule feels appropriately ambitious for a veteran roster—and why the Big Ten alone can’t be counted on to provide enough quality opportunities. </li><li>The overlooked value of games against teams like Bellarmine and Tennessee Tech, whose styles could give IU useful early-season tests even if they aren’t marquee opponents. </li><li>And what would constitute a successful record in those five biggest non-conference games.</li></ul> Finally, attention turns to Memorial Stadium as Curt Cignetti and the defending national champions begin another season. Expectations have changed dramatically: IU has reloaded, the entire home schedule is sold out, and simply getting to six wins feels like ancient history. The guys discuss what to watch against North Texas, why nobody should overreact to the first game, and how football success is changing the entire Bloomington experience—from ticket demand and hotel prices to the atmosphere surrounding every home Saturday.

[1127] The Schedule Is Set — and Football Is Back

This is an episode weve wanted to do for a long time. The man behind the tweets at @IUArtifacts, Chris Williams, is our guest on this episode of The Assembly Call.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is an episode weve wanted to do for a long time. The man behind the tweets at @IUArtifacts, Chris Williams, is our guest on this episode of The Assembly Call. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Celebrating IU History with @IUArtifacts

We've talked a lot about Indiana basketball this offseason. I mean, that's what we are here for, however, you need to know your opposition in order to find success. That's why in this episode we took a look around the conference and discuss how each team is preparing for the upcoming season. We discuss a [...]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We've talked a lot about Indiana basketball this offseason. I mean, that's what we are here for, however, you need to know your opposition in order to find success. That's why in this episode we took a look around the conference and discuss how each team is preparing for the upcoming season. We discuss a [...] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Special Edition: Taking a Look Around the Big Ten with ITH's Alex Bozich

Following your Hoosiers is always more fun with friends. Come hang out with us after every Indiana basketball game, and every Thursday night, as our team of hosts -- Jerod Morris, Andy Bottoms, Ryan Phillips, and Brian "The Coach" Tonsoni dissect every angle of IU basketball, as we've been doing since 2011. We are equal parts unabashed fandom and objective analysis, with plenty of laughter along the way. If you're looking for knee-jerk analysis and hot takes, this is NOT the show for you. But if you want a show that isn't afraid to critique play while always staying supportive of players, then this is the place for you.

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