Welcome to a new edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call And Inside the hallwhere we highlight the top five IU basketball stories from the past week, and see how the other IU sports programs are doing.
IU Athletics continued its unprecedented success across all sports this fall. This 6-banner features a full buffet of details on various sports in Indiana, along with the winning teams associated with them.
These sports are men’s basketball, football, women’s basketball and volleyball. As usual, we’ll wrap up with weekly shows and a look at the rest of Hoosier sports in action, highlighted by men’s soccer standout Rutgers.
This is what’s in this week’s edition:
• IU men’s basketball beats Alabama A&M in season opener
• Football beats Penn State at Beaver Stadium to remain undefeated
• IU women’s basketball starts the season 2-0
• Volleyball upsets Penn State for its first-ever win over State College
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Collection
Banner #1 – IU men’s basketball crushes Alabama A&M in season opener
Under new IU head coach Darian DeVries, and an all-new roster, Hoosier fans were promised a more modern offense that emphasizes the three-point shot. Just like in the exhibition games, there was a lot of play against Alabama A&M in the season opener.
Indiana used the long shot (10 shots) to roll to a 98-51 victory. The free throw line was also a place of strength, where the score was 16-16. IU also placed five players in double figures, led by Reed Bailey with 21 points.
Afterwards, DeVries spoke, Inside the Hall had a photo gallery, Ryan Corazza wrote a Minute After and Film Session, Alex Bozich wrote Five Takeaways and Nick Rodecap put together a column about the dominant win.
With the season opener out of the way, IU has its first real test of the fall when it takes on Marquette today at 1:00 PM ET on ESPN in Chicago. This matchup will answer many of the unknown questions about how talented the Hoosiers are and where they stack up among the rest of the Big Ten once conference play begins.
Banner #2 – Football tops Penn State at Beaver Stadium and remains undefeated
The Football Hoosiers are still ranked No. 2 in the polls, their highest ranking ever. This week, Heisman favorite QB Fernando Mendoza had his signature moment of the season when he led a 10-play 80-yard drive in the final minute at a struggling but extremely talented Penn State Nittany Lions squad. It ended when WR Omar Cooper Jr. made a circus catch on third down in the back of the end zone, dragging his toe in. The final was 27-24, giving Indiana its first win at a venue they had never won before.
As the Hoosiers move to 12-0 and a spot in their first-ever Big Ten title game, they must avoid slipping in their final pair of conference games against struggling Purdue and Wisconsin. The game against the Badgers will take place first this Saturday at 12:00 PM ET on BTN.
Banner #3 – IU women’s basketball starts the season 2-0
The women’s basketball team also experienced significant roster turnover this season. However, they did bring back two program stalwarts: Lenee Beaumont and Shay Ciezki.
Ciezki was excellent in the first two games, scoring a combined 57 points. She is the main reason her side has comfortably recorded a number of wins to start the 2025-2026 season.
The final scores were 80-46 against Lipscomb and 72-56 vs. UIC. Their next match is next Tuesday at 7pm ET against Marshall on BIG+.
Banner #4 – Volleyball upsets Penn State for its first-ever win over State College
Before this fall, volleyball had never won in Happy Valley. Like their IU counterparts on the playing field, they also ended their previous futility at Penn State. However, these Hoosiers made it easy for the Nittany Lions with one sweep in straight sets.
Indiana followed this up with a five-set thriller against Iowa. However, the Hoosiers ultimately prevailed to improve to 19-4 overall and 10-3 in the league. With a top-15 RPI, Indiana is on track to make their first postseason since 2010.
Banner #5 – Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
In the Hall’s podcast On The Brink returned this week. Rick Bozich then joined Alex Bozich for a discussion of Hoosier basketball.
The Back Home Network has several new shows. As a result, it was in the air many times this week with programming.
Banner #6 – Hoosier Rally
• Men’s football dominated Rutgers in its final regular season game. With a top-10 RPI, they will find out their NCAA draw starting Monday.
• Wrestling refilled Lock Haven in their season opener.
• Hockey fell to Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament, likely ending the season.
• Women’s tennis competed at the Spartan Invitation exhibition. She too let them go next spring program.
Now go enjoy a 6-Banner Sunday.
Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly call employee
To receive 6-Banner Sunday in your inbox every week, enter your email address and choose the free subscription option from our friends at The Assembly Call.
See more: 6-Banner Sunday
#6Banner #Sunday #basketball #rolls #season #opener #football #remains #undefeated