Author: Mike Schumann

When wide receiver D.J. Matthews went down on the turf at Western Kentucky in September, in many ways, Indiana’s 2021 season took a dramatic turn at that same moment. Matthews was Indiana’s primary playmaker, and without him for the remainder of the season, throwing windows became incredibly tight — an especially challenging factor as IU dipped further and further into the quarterback depth chart as the season progressed. If he can return to his pre-injury form, Matthews should provide a boost to the offense. But who will step up and join him as IU’s primary pass-catching targets?   Indiana has two…

The weeks following the conclusion of spring practice have become a new window when transfer portal activity seems to spike. For many, entry into the portal in the spring comes after the realization by a player that he is well down the depth chart, and likely does not have good near-term, and possibly even long-term, potential to see the field in the fall. That did not appear to be the case for redshirt freshman defensive back Maurice Freeman.  Just a few weeks ago, head coach Tom Allen specifically mentioned him as someone who was progressing nicely. “Maurice is a guy…

Watch below senior season highlights of Montverde Academy and 6-foot-8, 230-pound IU class of 2022 signee Malik Reneau. Reneau, averaged 11.9 points and 6.6 rebounds this past season, including 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds at the GEICO High School Nationals. He will arrive on campus in early June to begin training with the team. For more background on Reneau, including Mike Woodson’s scouting report, GO HERE.  For Reneau’s story on why he chose IU, GO HERE.  For more Reneau highlights, GO HERE. https://youtu.be/yqH0IKwifEk The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly” Find us on Facebook:  thedailyhoosier You can follow…

IU basketball coach Mike Woodson has announced that 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward Malik Reneau has signed a Big Ten Tender and will attend Indiana and play for the Hoosiers beginning next season. “Malik has enjoyed success at the highest level in high school and brings a competitive and winning presence to our program,” Woodson said in an IU Athletics release.  “We are excited to welcome him and his family to Hoosier Nation.” Reneau played for Montverde (Fla.) Academy and helped them win the GEICO High School Nationals in 2021 and 2022.  He teamed up there with another Hoosier basketball signee, 2022…

The next phase of Ali Patberg’s career won’t entail playing professional basketball in her home state. Less than two weeks after being drafted in the third round by the Indiana Fever, the franchise announced on Thursday it has waived the Columbus, Ind. product. Patberg was one of seven players drafted by the Fever. From Columbus North High School, to college stops at both Notre Dame and Indiana, 2015 Indiana Miss Basketball Ali Patberg will now look for her next career move.  Indiana head coach Teri Moren has often raved about Patberg’s leadership skills, and has suggested a future in coaching…

Dane Fife hasn’t completely disappeared from the public eye since being unceremoniously let go by his alma mater in March. The former Indiana guard is still relatively active on Twitter, and when the news broke former IU point guard Rob Phinisee had selected Cincinnati as his transfer destination, Fife emerged to heap praise on a player he once coached, and coached against. “A healthy Rob is an elite defender at the highest level,” Fife wrote on his Twitter page on Wednesday evening in response to the news of Phinisee choosing Cincinnati. “Health has also played a huge roll in his…

After four years in Bloomington, Rob Phinisee announced on Wednesday he will play his final season of college basketball for Cincinnati. The Lafayette, Ind. native simply said “Let’s Work!” in a post on his Twitter page that showed him in a Cincinnati jersey and announced he was committed to the Bearcats. Phinisee will be reunited at UC with former IU assistant coach Mike Roberts, who took an assistant coach position under Bearcats head man Wes Miller last spring. https://twitter.com/robphinisee1/status/1516911858980200448?s=20&t=-ISNdQF8lZrOIk60PLp3sA The 6-foot-1 Phinisee announced in late March he was leaving the IU program and would play out his final season…

Prior to the pandemic the Big Ten held its men’s basketball tournament in Washington D.C. and New York City as part of an ongoing effort to expand the league fanbase and achieve other objectives. The league is set to return to that approach in 2024 when it hosts the men’s and women’s tournaments in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, the league appears content to leave its football championship game in Indianapolis. The Big Ten announced today that the Big Ten Football Championship Game will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis through 2024, and that the 2023 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament…

Two of the main four national outlets that rank high school basketball prospects put a final stamp on their evaluations for the incoming freshman class. And they’ve confirmed what we already knew — Mike Woodson’s first full recruiting class as head coach at Indiana is one of the program’s best in a decade. Here’s how national outlets Rivals and ESPN look at the four members of Indiana’s 2022 class. Rivals says point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino is a 5-star recruit and the No. 17 overall player in the class.  ESPN pegs Hood-Schifino as a 4-star and the No. 24 overall player…

Driving lanes just got a bit less congested in the Big Ten on Wednesday after Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn announced he has put his name in the NBA Draft and will not return to college for his remaining eligibility. Cockburn is just the latest star from the Big Ten to enter the draft early, leaving an opportunity for a shift in the balance of power next season. The 7-foot and 285-pound Cockburn terrorized the Big Ten with his massive frame for three seasons.  He averaged career highs of 20.9 points and 10.6 rebounds during his junior campaign. Illinois also…