Author: Mike Schumann

Eight IU football players are on 2026 preseason All-American teams at Athlon Sports. A theme is developing, as these are the same eight Hoosiers who appeared on Phil Steele’s four preseason All-American teams — although the specific team is different for some of the players. Even though IU has one of the top transfer portal classes in the nation, seven of the eight preseason All-Americans are returners from the 2025 national championship squad. Here are the All-American teams the IU eight appeared on at Athlon’s: ———————————————— FIRST TEAM Rolijah Hardy, LB Carter Smith, OT Tyrique Tucker, DT SECOND TEAM Charlie…

“It was time for a change.” That’s how new IU basketball point guard Markus Burton describes his decision to enter the transfer portal following three successful seasons at Notre Dame. Any college athlete could use that explanation, but for Burton, it meant something more.  It was time to leave home, and what to that point had been a very tight radius in his young life. Set to turn 22 before the start of the 2026-27 season, the South Bend, Ind. native who attended high school at nearby Penn in Mishawaka, and then Notre Dame for three years, realized he needed…

Since Memorial Stadium was completed in 1960, the idea of expanding its capacity has been a bit of a joke among fans. With the completion of two end zone projects over the last 20 years, the available seats have actually grown by around 5,000.  But a major expansion has never made much sense in Bloomington until recently. Prior to 2024, Indiana had rarely sold out its home stadium, and on those rare occasions the visiting crowd often played a significant role.  Just four times prior to the arrival of Curt Cignetti had Indiana sold out multiple games in a single…

Class of 2027 top-30 guard Chase Branham is coming to Indiana a year early. But he’s not headed to Bloomington. After announcing his commitment to IU in September and leading his high school to a state title, the 6-foot-4 Branham will spend his senior year at national prep school powerhouse La Lumiere in La Porte, Ind. La Lumiere plays in the national EYBL Scholastic League, which will give Branham the opportunity to practice and play games against elite talent.  The Lakers run a modern offense that led the EYBL Scholastic in points per possession, 3-point attempt rate, 3-pointers made, and…

IU Athletics will be prominent at the 2026 ESPY Awards. The 2025 national championship football squad is up for Best Team, while quarterback Fernando Mendoza is up for Best Breakthrough Athlete and Best Men’s College Athlete. Former IU basketball player OG Anunoby’s game-winning Game 4 tip-in at the NBA Finals is also up for Best Play. IU football completed the first 16-0 season since 1894.  Under the direction of head coach Curt Cignetti, their national title game win over Miami marked one of the most dramatic turnarounds in sports history.  Indiana went 9-27 from 2021-23, and then 27-2 from 2024-25.…

Former IU basketball big man Sam Alexis will get a closer look from Oklahoma City during the NBA Summer League. Alexis signed a deal with the franchise to play over a slate of games that runs July 4 to July 16. He’ll be joined by fellow former Hoosier Lamar Wilkerson, who signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City hosted Alexis for a workout before the NBA Draft. Alexis spent one season with Indiana and etched his name in the program record book.  His 68.7 field goal percentage is the best single season ever by an IU player…

Legendary IU basketball coach Bob Knight’s 1987 national championship ring is being auctioned off. The ring is currently listed at Sotheby’s with an estimated sales price of $60,000 to $80,000.  It is described as a 10 karat gold ring with various jewels. Knight auctioned all of his national championship rings, his Olympic gold medal, and other items in 2012.  He said at the time he was doing it to raise money for his grandchildren’s college education. He was never into putting such items on display in his home. “I’ve got stuff I didn’t even know I had,” Knight said at…

Class of 2028 forward Logan Chwastyk is an IU basketball recruiting name to know. The Indiana staff offered the 6-foot-10 Chwastyk a scholarship last week. A product of the Philadelphia, Pa. area, Chwastyk attends Malvern Prep in Malvern, Pa.  As a high school sophomore he averaged 16.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 blocks while shooting 54% from the field. In the average of the national rankings, Chwastyk is a 4-star, the No. 18 overall player in the 2028 class, and the No. 3 center. On film, Chwastyk is a mobile big man who can step out and knock…

IU football offensive tackle Carter Smith highlights the program’s top returning players in 2026. The Big Ten’s 2025 offensive lineman of the year was named by Pro Football Focus as the top returning offensive tackle in the nation. Three other Hoosiers are among the top-10 returners at their respective positions according to PFF.  They are summarized below. Included are some interesting data points about each player highlighting their elite production thus far. Note:  PFF hasn’t published such information for defensive backs or linebackers. OFFENSIVE TACKLE 1. Carter Smith, Indiana “Smith is entering his fourth year as Indiana’s starting left tackle and…

Fair warning to Howard:  Curt Cignetti has found something to be angry about your Sept. 12 trip to Bloomington. No, Cignetti is not picking on the FCS program, he’s getting ready for the 2026 season — a campaign that features an entirely new dynamic for the 65-year-old head coach:  The defense of a national title. One of the mainstays of Cignetti’s championship culture is the elimination of complacency. You’ve likely heard him recite the program dogma. There’s no smiling on the sideline with a big lead.  Every play has a life of its low.  Never too high, never too low. …