Author: Mike Schumann

This is the third in a five-part series on the historic home courts of the Indiana University basketball program.  Today we take a look at the third home of the Hoosiers — the Old Fieldhouse. A New Shrine Symbolizing a Growing Statewide Hysteria… By the mid-1920’s, basketball in Indiana had grown from a new sport to a statewide obsession in just over 30 years.  Similarly, the Indiana University men’s basketball program had become nationally significant, and in many ways the epicenter of the game in the Hoosier state. The growth of the game and the IU program meant that the…

D.J. Carton has committed to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes.  He made the announcement via Twitter: https://twitter.com/DJCarton/status/1018211848330588160 After completing official visits to Michigan, Indiana and Ohio State over the last few weeks, five-star class of 2019 point guard D.J. Carton has surprised many with this announcement.  Most analysts saw Indiana and Michigan in the lead with perhaps a slight edge to the Wolverines.  The 247 Sports crystal ball had Carton 100% to Michigan before analysts starting changing their picks today. Carton saw his profile accelerate significantly over the last year.  He narrowed his list to six schools in the…

The first segment of the July NCAA live evaluation period continues through Sunday.  Along with the highly publicized Nike EYBL Peach Jam, action also continues with the Adidas Gauntlet, the Peach Invitational, and Under Armour events. Here are some of the highlights from yesterday as it relates to IU class of 2019 targets: NOTABLE PERFORMERS Brandon Newman absolutely exploded yesterday with a 29 point, 4 rebound and 2 block game.  He shot 10-17 from the field and 5-10 from distance. It wasn’t the best week for the Indy Heat but Trayce-Jackson Davis went out with a bang — literally –…

Indiana University baseball legend Kyle Schwarber has been a part of some classic baseball moments, including IU’s trip to the 2013 College World Series and the Chicago Cubs first World Series title since 1908. While nothing may ever compare to that 2016 Cubs title, Schwarber will have the opportunity to participate in another great baseball tradition on Monday night.  The Ohio native will be one of eight participants in the 2018 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.  You can see the full bracket here: According to MLB.com, Schwarber is one of seven players to hit a home run at least 117…

The first segment of the July NCAA live evaluation period continues through Sunday.  Along with the highly publicized Nike EYBL Peach Jam, action also continues with the Adidas Gauntlet, the Peach Invitational, and Under Armour events. Here are some of the highlights from yesterday as it relates to IU class of 2019 targets: NOTABLE PERFORMERS Indianapolis native Armaan Franklin has significantly increased his scoring output.  During three Peach Jam games thus far the combo guard has averaged 13.7 points per game while shooting 46% from the field and 39% from distance.  Included in his performance was a big corner 3-pointer…

College athletics news can be slow in July.  Beyond recruiting, there generally isn’t a whole lot going on.  A pair of comments by former IU athletes this week have done their part to fill the void. The comments may go a long way in shedding light on a pair of recent coaching changes.  The public details of the inner-workings and thinking behind the firing of Kevin Wilson in 2016 and Tom Crean in 2017 are sparse. Indiana Athletic Director Fred Glass is notoriously vague when it comes to such matters, and the vacuum has left us to speculate. You can…

The July college basketball recruiting live evaluation period has started up again.  During this time college coaches can observe recruiting targets in person.  The live period schedule is as follows: Live Period No. 1: July 11 (5 p.m.) – 15 (5 p.m.) Live Period No. 2: July 18 (5 p.m.) – 22 (5 p.m.) Live Period No. 3: July 25 (5 p.m.) – 29 (5 p.m.) Corresponding to the live period, the various AAU circuits have resumed action with the Nike EYBL in Georgia and South Carolina and the Adidas Gauntlet in New York. Several Indiana offered 2019 targets were in action on…

The Jeff Mercer era at the helm of the Indiana University baseball program is now well underway.  After being announced as the new head coach last week, Mercer has been busy building out his coaching staff. Yesterday IU announced the addition of three assistant coaches to his staff.  Here is the full release from Indiana University Athletics: BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana baseball head coach Jeff Mercer announced the additions of Dan Held, Justin Parker, and Casey Dykes to his coaching staff on Wednesday. Held will serve as the program’s recruiting coordinator, Parker will be the pitching coach and Dykes will be the volunteer assistant coach. DAN HELD…

D.J. Carton has us stumped.  After narrowing down his list to a final three on Sunday evening, he is reportedly planning to announce a commitment in the next couple weeks.  Instinctively, such an abbreviated timeline would suggest that he has his mind pretty much made up, right?  Why put yourself on that schedule if you are truly still undecided?  Of course he is not bound to commit soon if he needs more time. But then it came out that he was planning to take an official visit to Ohio State.  That visit started today.  If he had truly decided or…

It is now just over 50 days until the 2018 Indiana football season kicks off.  As we ramp up our coverage going into the fall campaign, take a look at the latest program news and notes. WES MARTIN EARNS ACADEMIC HONORS The Big Ten Conference announced Tuesday that 65 students from IU’s athletic teams have earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award.  According to IU, “the recipients are students who have recorded a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the 2017-18 academic year.” Senior offensive lineman Wes Martin won the award from the football team.  He also won academic…