Author: Mike Schumann

The answer to the question seems obvious. The loudest moment at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall? There have been many, but most would point to Dec. 10, 2011 when Indiana defeated Kentucky at the buzzer on a 3-pointer by Christian Watford. But in the eyes of two long-time IU veterans, the loudest moment came six years earlier. “The most emotional game that I’ve ever seen played at Assembly Hall was the Christian Watford shot,” Don Fischer said on a recent podcast produced by IU Athletics. “That was as loud as I’ve heard it as well, but not quite as loud as…

Change is the constant in this new era of college athletics, and that is evident in the running backs room where the top three on the depth chart at this time last year are all gone, along with just about everyone who saw significant playing time in 2021. Out of 303 total rushing attempts by a running back in 2021, players accounting for 264 are no longer with the program.  No one with more than 20 carries returns. But the change moves in both directions, and Indiana hopes it has found answers in Auburn transfer Shaun Shivers, and North Carolina…

The reports in recent months have been startling as we’ve transitioned away from payments to college athletes being a taboo topic. Kentucky basketball player Oscar Tshiebwe will apparently receive around $2 million in deals related to his name, image and likeness (NIL) next season. At the same time point guard Nijel Pack announced he was transferring to Miami (Fla.), his NIL deal worth an estimated $800 thousand was reported. Those are just two more prominent recent examples of hundreds. Payments to student athletes for their NIL have been permitted by the NCAA for nearly a year, but the concept is…

Indiana has had a player selected in the NFL Draft every year since 2014, but fans will likely have to wait a couple days to see if the streak continues. Three Hoosiers have the potential to be selected on day three of the draft, with linebacker Micah McFadden having the highest probability of hearing his name called. McFadden is projected as a sixth or seventh rounder according to NFL.com.  NFL analyst Lance Zierlein likes McFadden’s ability to read the defense and generate tackles for loss, but had concerns about his size and play against the top tier teams in the…

Former Indiana guard Khristian Lander will try to reboot his basketball career at a place his father once competed on the gridiron. Lander announced on Wednesday afternoon he has transferred to Western Kentucky.  His father Keith was a defensive back there in the ’90s under head coach Jack Harbaugh. The younger Lander announced his transfer on his social media accounts, with a picture of himself in a Western Kentucky uniform, with an old football photo of his father in the background. https://twitter.com/khristianlander/status/1519400611002863618?s=20&t=ErrfdJ0S7_fCkeYSkvzsRw Playing in Conference USA should help Lander regain the confidence that seemed to elude him after arriving in…

The Nike EYBL Circuit was in the north Indianapolis suburbs over the weekend, and The Daily Hoosier was there all three days to get a closer look at some of the players Indiana is recruiting in the classes of 2023 through 2025. The event was a whose-who of college basketball.  We saw 13 of the 14 head coaches in the Big Ten, and three members of the IU staff.  Mike Woodson, Kenya Hunter and Yasir Rosemond were there at various points. Here are our notes about three of the class of 2024 prospects Indiana is involved with. Yves Missi (2024)…

There is a youth movement under way for Indiana at the tight end position. Four-year starter Peyton Hendershot hopes to hear his name called during the NFL Draft later this week  Hendershot finished his career as the Hoosiers’ tight ends receptions (136) and yardage (1,479) leader. The position seems likely to be featured prominently in new offensive coordinator Walt Bell’s system, and 6-foot-6 ad 251 pound junior A.J. Barner is widely expected to step into the starter’s role and become a weapon in the IU offense.  Barner has appeared in 20 games with one start, and his 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown…

Larry Smith came to Indiana with a lot of promise. But if he reaches the potential implied by his ratings as a recruit, he’ll do so elsewhere. Smith is in the transfer portal according to multiple reports on Tuesday. As a true freshman Smith redshirted the 2021 season, and made his collegiate debut and lone appearance against Minnesota (11/20). The Jacksonville, Fla. product was a Rivals four-star prospect, All-Florida defensive team honoree, and Florida Super 11 selection.  Smith was ranked the No. 29 cornerback nationally by Rivals in the class of 2021. Smith is the third cornerback to leave the…

Indiana continues to be on the lookout for a versatile scorers, and they found a fast-rising guard in the class of 2023 who fits that description. On Monday, North Carolina based Freddie Dilione reported an offer on his Twitter page from IU. https://twitter.com/Freddiedilione5/status/1518731952139952129?s=20&t=sZ_oOguZFzrcu0Ehc3uifg At 6-foot-5 with high-level ball handling skills and an ability to get downhill, Dilione appears capable of playing anywhere from the one through the three positions at the next level. Dilione averaged 25.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game this past season for Word of God Academy. Prior to that, he played at Trinity Christian…

Mike Woodson’s recruiting pitch has been right down the middle of the strike zone lately. On Tuesday night, the 64-year-old righthander will test his throwing arm in Indianapolis. Woodson will throw out the first pitch at Victory Field just before IU baseball takes on Butler at 6:30 p.m. Eastern in the Circle City. After a disappointing start to the 2022 campaign, Indiana is coming off its first Big Ten series victory of the season.  The Hoosiers (16-23) took two of three games from Nebraska over the weekend behind solid starting pitching from Jack Perkins and Bradley Brehmer. At 4-8, IU…