I am not familiar with his work, but he has IU finishing 12th in the Big Ten. We'll find out this week if Sam Alexis will be eligible to play (right now, no). But I am sure him picking IU 12th will inspire some rational responses in the fan base.

1. Full Schedule Release for IU Basketball

Indiana will open Big Ten play against Rutgers at Assembly Hall on December 1 followed by a road trip to Iowa City on December 7. Of note, weekend home games include: USC, Michigan, UCLA, Illinois, Ohio State. The closing stretch of five games is very difficult: Purdue, at Wisconsin, Michigan State, Ohio State, at Purdue (March 5). I don't love the first road game for this IU team being against Ben McCollum's Hawkeyes and there are plenty of really tough games but this schedule is manageable IF the Hoosiers prove to be a good team.

Indiana Basketball Conference Schedule Announced - Hoosier Huddle

From Hoosier Huddle

• Matchup To Watch: Indiana’s Tight Ends Vs. Western Kentucky's Defense - Hoosier Huddle
• Numbers That Matter: Indiana Vs. Western Kentucky - Hoosier Huddle
• Indiana Women's Basketball 2026-27 Schedule Announced - Hoosier Huddle

Weekend Schedule

• Women's Volleyball - Friday at Coastal Carolina
• Field Hockey - Friday at #2 Iowa
• Men's Soccer - Friday vs. #16 Washington 
• Women's Volleyball - Saturday at North Carolina State (in Conway, SC)
• Football - Saturday vs. Western Kentucky at 4:00 pm

Thought of the Day

We know the roster (Sam Alexis' status pending). We know the schedule. The question is simple: What is your prediction for IU's regular season record?

- IU has a nice runway in Big Ten play to set up well for a tough final five games

- Plenty of weekend home games this year

- Really don't want to be heading to Mackey needing a win for a Tournament berth.

1. IU Adds to 2027 Class with Felix Kiehlneker Commit

• IU Adds To 2027 Class As Felix Kiehlneker Commits - Hoosier Huddle
• IU basketball lands commitment from class of 2027 center Felix Kiehlneker - Inside the Hall | Indiana Hoosiers Basketball News, Recruiting and Analysis
• Indiana lands rising international center Felix Kiehlneker, a 7-foot-1 prospect from Germany

2. Protect College Sports Act Takes a Step Forward

Ross Dellenger on X

3. Big Ten Schedule Announced Tonight

The Big Ten Network will televise a special one-hour broadcast that will announce the conference schedule for men's and women's basketball. 

Around Hoosier Huddle

• Know Your Opponent: Week 3 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers - Hoosier Huddle
• Turbo Richard And Lee Beebe Complement Each Other In The Hoosier Backfield - Hoosier Huddle
• Matchup To Watch: Indiana’s Tight Ends Vs. Western Kentucky's Defense - Hoosier Huddle

https://x.com/DraftExpress/status/2099875889572139063

1. Exhibition Season Looms

A reminder: IU's exhibition opener is less than a month away. The Hoosiers take on the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on October 11.

2. Big Ten Schedule To Be Announced on Wednesday

The Big Ten Network will televise a one-hour special on Wednesday evening and announce the full schedule for the Men's and Women's Big Ten Basketball season. The matchups are already known for each team but we'll now have the full schedule with dates and the order of opponents.

3. College Basketball Coaches Go To Washington

John Calipari, Mark Few and others went to the nation's capital on Monday to meet with lawmakers and publicly declare support for the Protect College Sports Act. The bill is expected to be voted on by the Senate and House of Representatives during the next session. 

Around Hoosier Huddle

• Curt Cignetti Notes And Quotes Week 3: Western Kentucky - Hoosier Huddle
• Chatter From The Other Sideline: Western Kentucky Head Coach Tyson Helton - Hoosier Huddle

Question of the Day

As you may recall, the Big Ten squeezes a pair of conference games for each team into December. If you could choose IU's two league opponents and the location from the list of possible teams, who would you choose?

We are now less than 50 days away from basketball practice officially beginning. 

1. Missouri Gets Mark Mitchell Back

IU is hosting the Missouri Tigers in December and the SEC squad got a big boost as Mark Mitchell is currently eligible and back with the Tigers. Mitchell committed to Kentucky but swapped back to Missouri after gaining eligibility via a court ruling. If he's eligible, Missouri is a probable top 25 team. The forward had a BPR rating of 6.99 last season, good for 17th best in the SEC. He's a fantastic offensive player and would be a major handful for IU's frontcourt, if he maintains eligibility. 

Around Hoosier Huddle

• Game Wrap And Reaction: No. 6 Indiana 52 North Texas 16 - Hoosier Huddle
• Scores From Around The Nation: Indiana’s Week 2 Opponent Recap - Hoosier Huddle
• Hoosiers Step Up To 4th In Both National Polls After Week 2 - Hoosier Huddle
• Black And Price Highlight Hoosiers Across The NFL In Week 1 - Hoosier Huddle

Weekend Results

• Women's Soccer Blasted by #6 Ohio State 3-0
• Field Hockey Sweeps Ball State and Cornell
• Men's Soccer with a huge 1-0 win at Michigan
• Volleyball handles Eastern Illinois 3-0

Thought For Today

A disclaimer: there's just not much going on with IU Basketball right now so this has nothing to do with basketball. 

I am an avid reader and am always looking for new books to dive into. While I don't typically read "mystery" or "crime" novels (I much prefer historical fiction or non-fiction, high fantasy like Brandon Sanderson or Robin Hobb, novels by authors like Barbara Kingsolver), the Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffery Deaver was recommended to me and I want to pass that on. It's not at all new and I think there are a dozen or more books in the series out now. I've only read the first two thus far and they were both great (The Bone Collector and The Coffin Dancer). If you are at all interested in suspenseful and engaging crime story layered with really fascinating criminology practices plus some interesting characters, give them a shot. Support your local library and try the first book. Is anyone reading anything worth sharing?

Please direct positive thoughts and prayers to Rutgers head coach Steve Pikell and his family. Pikell has been diagnosed with cancer. He plans to remain the leader of the Scarlet Knights' basketball program for as long as his health allows. 

1. Per Jeff Rabjohns of 247Sports, Decision Possible Soon For International Big

Rising international 7-foot center scheduled to make an official visit to Indiana this weekend

Felix Kiehlneker is likely choosing between IU and USC. He is considered a developmental piece that would need a year or two before having an impact but the potential for being a very good collegiate player and future pro is there. Landing Kiehlneker would NOT impact IU's pursuit of Darius Wabbington.

IU Sports Results this Week

Women's soccer knocked off Nebraska 1-0 in Lincoln while the men beat Denver 3-1 on September 7. The Women's Volleyball squad had a good week, beating Southern Indiana and Cal Poly. 

Upcoming Events

It is a big couple of days for IU sports with several events occurring. On Friday (today), Women's Tennis and Field Hockey are both in action while Women's Volleyball hosts Eastern Illinois at 7 and the IU Men's Soccer team is at Michigan tonight at 7. Of course, the main event is Curt Cignetti's #5 Hoosiers hosting Howard on Saturday at noon. 

Around Hoosier Huddle

Full Preview of the Howard Bison

• IU Will Raise The Victory Flag Vs. Howard If... - Hoosier Huddle
• 2026 First Glance Preview: Howard Bison - Hoosier Huddle
• Numbers That Matter: No. 5 Indiana Vs. Howard - Hoosier Huddle

Thought For Today

It is incredibly difficult to believe the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred 25 years ago today. There are a handful of moments in everyone's life that get engraved into our brains. We remember exactly where we were and how we felt during those days. It could be incredibly personal crises like a cancer diagnosis or learning of the sudden loss of a loved one. Or, it could be a well-known shared experience like the assassination of John F. Kennedy. For many people, September 11 falls into both categories. The country changed forever that day and the fallout from those attacks and the decisions that came afterwards continue to shape our world and daily lives. 

Please share a thought for those that were victims of the attacks (those that were murdered and their surviving family and friends). Grief is a mysterious process and you just never know what someone else is going through. Please, both online and in-person, be kind to one another. 

1. Coaches On the Road as Fall Recruiting Period Begins

Wednesday was the first day that coaches could begin seeing prospects in person. The period lasts from September 9 to April 30 (with some dead periods). IU’s Thomas Carr went to see five-star big man Darius Wabbington in Phoenix. Wabbington was just in Bloomington this past weekend for his official visit. Wabbington is scheduled to visit Arizona and then could move into decision-making mode.

2. Trey Kaufman-Renn Might Play Another Year?!?

Former Purdue Boilermaker star Trey Kaufman-Renn is attempting to play another year of college basketball and he was granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that allows him to join a college team. I can't even begin to understand how this madness is possible but Kaufman-Renn is currently eligible despite being a member of the 2021 recruiting class, having five years of college basketball and being drafted. Based on recent precedent, it seems likely the Indiana court of appeals will eventually overturn the TRO and make him ineligible. He has already ruled out a return to Purdue with North Carolina and Kentucky rumored to be interested. If you recall, Sam Alexis was in a similar situation before having his TRO reversed and he is currently ineligible.

From Hoosier Huddle

• IU's Defense Focused on Improvement: Rolijah Hardy Says Indiana Defense Is “Hammering” Corrections After Saturday Disappointment - Hoosier Huddle
• New Water Policies at Memorial Stadium: After Fan Complaints, IU Announces New Water Policies To Combat Heat - Hoosier Huddle
• Big Ten announces new broadcast replay access: Michigan-WMU Controversy Leads Big Ten To Expand Broadcast Replay Access - Hoosier Huddle

Thought For Today

There has been a ton of attention paid to professional players returning to college basketball. I don't know how many will ultimately suit up and play in the 2026-2027 season but obviously, it would be amazing to have Lamar Wilkerson back at Assembly Hall. Given the likelihood that IU's roster is set and there are no surprise additions to add a sharpshooter, who do you think ultimately leads IU in three-point percentage and which player leads IU in most three-pointers made?

1. IU Commit Chase Branham On Campus Again

For the second time in three weeks, top 25 2027 commit (247Sports) Chase Branham will be in Bloomington. Branham plans on being at the IU football game this weekend as he takes advantage of his recent move to La Lumiere. The 6'4" guard has had a fantastic summer and should benefit from playing with the La Lumiere Lakers on the EYBL circuit for his senior season.

2. Minnesota Hoping to Add Cade Tyson

In IU opponent news, Minnesota is hoping they just got significantly stronger. After a stellar senior season, Cade Tyson announced that he is returning to Niko Medved and the Gophers for another season. Of course, he needs a judge to grant him eligibility and how that plays out is anyone's guess but if he joins with transfer Kyan Evans and a decent supporting corps, Minnesota will have a real chance to make their first NCAA Tournament since 2019. 

From Hoosier Huddle

• Indiana Climbs into Top 5: Indiana Climbs Into The Top 5 In Both AP And Coaches Polls - Hoosier Huddle
• Charlie Becker is Really Good at Football (and Wants to Keep Getting Better): Becker Committed To Improvement, Despite Dominant Start To The Season - Hoosier Huddle

What's Next?

Volleyball is back on the court tomorrow night against Cal Poly while women's soccer play at Nebraska (also tomorrow night). The eyes of the sports world will be on Seattle tonight as the NFL regular season kicks off. The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are first up. Hoosier Huddle will have coverage of former Hoosiers that have moved on to the NFL all season long. 

Thought of the Day

I have seen a lot of Chase Branham games and highlights. The 6'4" guard committed to IU in September of 2025 and he's been on the radar for Darian DeVries for longer than that. Branham is a fantastic basketball player and I don't think I am as excited for him as I have been any incoming recruit since Romeo Langford. Of course, we won't see him on the court wearing candy stripes until next fall. Which current freshman are you most excited to see play for the 2026-2027 Hoosiers?