Author: Mike Schumann

Indiana forward Trayce Jackson-Davis surprised most last week when he announced his intent to return for a third season at Indiana. The 6-foot-9 forward started all 27 games in 2020-21 for IU and he was the only high major player to average at least 19 points and 9 rebounds this season.  Jackson-Davis was fourth in the Big Ten in scoring (19.1), second in rebounding (9.0), fifth in field goal percentage (51.7) and blocked shots (1.4) and third in minutes played (34.2). Jackson-Davis was named third Team All-American (Sporting News, NABC, USBWA) and also earned All-Big Ten honors (1st Team, Media…

Upon taking over as Indiana’s new basketball coach, Mike Woodson knew where most of his attention had to go from the outset. “My first job is to sit down with each one of them and talk about staying in Hoosier Nation,” Woodson said of Indiana’s roster at his initial press conference on March 29. From the jump Woodson faced six players in the transfer portal, a star with NBA aspirations, and a recruit uncertain about the future as the program transitioned from Archie Miller. Now four weeks from the firing of Miller and two weeks into the Woodson era, there…

Below are Westfield, Ind. class of 2022 point guard Braden Smith’s junior season highlights. Smith came to Indiana for a game in 2020 and the Hoosiers have been recruiting him for over a year, including after the firing of Archie Miller. For the 2020-21 season, Smith averaged 22 points, 6.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.7 turnovers per contest while playing in what is likely the second best conference in the state of Indiana.  He shot 55 percent from the field overall including 45 percent from behind the arc on 153 attempts (6.7 per game).  Smith also made 83…

Starting forward Race Thompson is the latest IU basketball player to announce his return to play for new head coach Mike Woodson. The 6-foot-8 redshirt junior broke the news on Thursday morning. “After talking it over with my family, I’m happy to announce I’m coming back to Indiana,” Thompson wrote in a graphic on his Instagram account.  “I’m excited for Coach Woodson and the future of the program.” Thompson averaged 9.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 2020-21, both career highs. He added 1.4 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1 steal per game. Thompson started all 27 games, the first starts of…

Mike Woodson’s first win in the transfer portal is one of college basketball’s best facilitators.  But when it comes to his new prize, Indiana’s new head coach will also be challenged. Former Pittsburgh point guard Xavier Johnson announced on Wednesday afternoon that he is transferring to Indiana, and with that news Indiana has added an elite assist man.  The 6-foot-3 Johnson was No. 4 in the country with a 42.4 assist rate according to KenPom.com.  Assist rate is defined as assists divided by the field goals made by the player’s teammates while he is on the court, and Johnson was…

Indiana football head coach Tom Allen met with the media on Wednesday to provide a spring practice update.  The Hoosiers began their 15 spring practice series on March 9 and will continue through April 10. Indiana concludes spring practice this weekend.  The program is not holding a spring game available to the public. The Hoosiers will open the 2021 season on Sept. 4 at Iowa. See also:  Deland McCullough pleased with what he has in Indiana running back room https://youtu.be/RXcahYVgeO8 Video credit – IU Athletics Find us on Facebook:  thedailyhoosier You can follow us on Twitter:  @daily_hoosier The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana…

The newest member of the IU coaching staff joined fellow former IU player and Indianapolis radio voice Dan Dakich on Tuesday afternoon on 107.5 The Fan. Dane Fife and Dakich discussed his decision to leave a ten year career at Michigan State and join Mike Woodson’s staff in Bloomington. Fife also discusses his coaching career to this point and what it will take to turn around the IU program. For more interviews with current and former IU players and coaches, GO HERE. Find us on Facebook:  thedailyhoosier You can follow us on Twitter:  @daily_hoosier The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when…

Indiana University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson joined Sports Rush with Brett Rush on 1380 The Fan in Fort Wayne on Monday afternoon. Dolson discussed the hiring process and deciding on Mike Woodson as the next men’s basketball coach, Dane Fife returning as an assistant coach, the IU women making a deep tournament run, and plans for fans in the stands at football games this fall. For a complete library of interviews with current and former IU players, coaches and administrators, GO HERE. Want us to share your interview with a current or former IU athlete,…

Tom Izzo isn’t known for handling losses well.  Few college basketball coaches are. But he was all class on Monday when the news broke that he lost his ten year assistant coach Dane Fife to Indiana. The Hall of Fame Michigan State head coach released a statement via the program’s Twitter account on Monday evening. “I’m thrilled for Dane to get this opportunity at Indiana,” Izzo wrote in the post.  “He is getting the chance to go back to his alma mater and it’s an opportunity to return to a place that he and his wife have considered a second…

New Indiana head coach Mike Woodson is on a roll. Freshman forward Jordan Geronimo is the third IU player to announce he is pulling his name out of the transfer portal to remain with the Hoosiers. Geronimo, who many expected to leave the program when he put his name in the portal two weeks ago, announced the news on his Twitter page on Monday afternoon. “I believe in Coach Woodson.  Let’s get to work,” Geronimo said in a graphic attached to his Twitter post. The Newark, N.J. product played in 21 gamed and averaged 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds while…