The Assembly Call IU Basketball Podcast and Postgame Show

Jerod Morris
  • 4.7 (409)
  • Basketball
  • Updated Weekly

Following your Hoosiers is always more fun with friends. Come hang out with us after every Indiana basketball game, and every Thursday night, as our team of hosts -- Jerod Morris, Andy Bottoms, Ryan Phillips, and Brian "The Coach" Tonsoni dissect every angle of IU basketball, as we've been doing since 2011. We are equal parts unabashed fandom and objective analysis, with plenty of laughter along the way. If you're looking for knee-jerk analysis and hot takes, this is NOT the show for you. But if you want a show that isn't afraid to critique play while always staying supportive of players, then this is the place for you.

  1. 2d ago

    [1132] IU-Western Kentucky Exhibition Postgame Show

    Indiana closed exhibition play with a 79-74 win over Western Kentucky, but it took a second-half spark from the reserves to finish the job. Coach Tonsoni, Coach Moats, and Andy Bottoms break down how Bryce Lindsay, Sam Alexis, and IU’s freshmen helped erase an eight-point deficit and turn a sloppy performance into a comeback victory. They discuss Lindsay’s emergence as a playmaker, Alexis’ steady contributions, and what Darian DeVries’ lineup decisions revealed about Indiana’s depth. Plus: the turnovers, shooting struggles, and defensive breakdowns that need attention before the regular season, along with Game Ball and Hoosier Hustle honors and the biggest questions remaining after a 3-0 exhibition slate.

  2. Oct 19

    [1131] IU-North Carolina Exhibition Postgame Show

    Indiana gave fans plenty of reasons for optimism in a 76–58 exhibition win over North Carolina, combining Bryce Lindsay’s hot shooting with a commanding 53–31 rebounding advantage and an encouraging defensive effort. Coach Brian Tonsoni, Jerod Morris, and Ryan Phillips break down what stood out in the Hoosiers’ second exhibition victory—and why this roster’s depth, athleticism, and variety on offense suggest more ways to win this season. Among the topics discussed: A different tone on the glass: Relentless offensive rebounding supplied the Banner Moment and helped Indiana finish with a 17–7 advantage in second-chance points. More answers in the backcourt: Lindsay’s scoring, Darren Harris’s shooting, Burton’s creation, and Mustaf’s physical drives give the Hoosiers multiple options when an opponent takes something away. Winning beyond the scoring column: Aiden Sherrell received praise for his rebounding, defensive activity, and willingness to contribute without a big scoring night. Samet Yigitoglu’s size and Sam Alexis’s energy also drew praise. Encouraging defensive progress: Better ball pressure, closeouts, and rotations helped Indiana hold North Carolina below 60 points. Room to improve: Turnovers, missed finishes, baseline inbound execution, and developing dependable depth remain priorities for Darian DeVries’s team. The crew also discusses how to balance building chemistry with giving younger players exhibition minutes, then closes with an IU football conversation about the Ohio State loss, offensive concerns, and the upcoming trip to Michigan. Plus: Game Balls, the Hoosier Hustle Award, lingering questions, and a look ahead to the Western Kentucky exhibition in Evansville.

  3. Oct 12

    [1130] IU-Butler Exhibition Postgame Show

    Indiana opened its exhibition schedule with a convincing 96-68 win over Butler, giving us plenty of reasons to be encouraged about this year's Hoosiers. Coach Tonsoni breaks down the impressive second-half turnaround, the newcomers who stood out, and what this first look tells us about the team's potential under Darian DeVries. The Hoosiers led by just three at halftime before taking control with a dominant second-half performance. Coach walks through: The defensive adjustments that completely changed the game. How Indiana's offensive versatility created problems for Butler. Why the rebounding advantage might be one of the most encouraging signs of all. We got our first real look at Indiana's revamped roster, and several players made strong impressions. Markus Burton's aggressive start and the scoring dimension he brings to the backcourt. The inside presence of Indiana's big men and the importance of having multiple ways to score. Why Trevor Manhertz could become a particularly valuable piece of the rotation. The contributions of Jaeden Mustaf, Darren Harris, and a deeper, more athletic supporting cast. It's only an exhibition, but there are some meaningful takeaways as Indiana prepares for tougher competition. Coach discusses the areas that still need work, including defensive consistency, turnovers, and fouling, while explaining why this roster appears better equipped to compete in the Big Ten. Plus, we answer listener questions about rotations, team chemistry, and season expectations before handing out our first Game Ball and Hoosier Hustle Award of the season.

  4. Oct 6

    Darius Wabbington Commits to Indiana: 5-Star Center Gives IU Basketball a Huge Win

    Darius Wabbington is an Indiana Hoosier. The five-star 2027 center has committed to Indiana basketball, giving Darian DeVries one of his biggest recruiting wins yet and adding another major piece to IU’s rapidly developing 2027 class. Galen Clavio is joined by Brian Tonsoni, Ryan Phillips and Mike Wiemuth for an emergency podcast breaking down Wabbington’s commitment, his skill set and why his game fits what DeVries is trying to build. The 6-foot-11 center brings unusual passing and ball-handling ability, developing three-point range, physical size and the versatility to operate both inside and away from the basket. The crew also looks at Indiana’s 2027 class alongside Chase Branham and Felix Kiehlneker, Wabbington’s NBA potential, how he could be used in DeVries’ offense, and what beating Arizona and Illinois for an elite national recruit says about IU’s recruiting trajectory. Plus: why Indiana’s roster construction looks increasingly intentional — and how this commitment compares with the program’s history of landing five-star prospects. Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more coverage of Indiana basketball.

  5. Sep 21

    [1128] Big Ten Schedule and a New Center Commit

    This episode was recorded on Thursday, September 17th. In this episode of The Assembly Call, Andy Bottoms, Ryan Phillips, and Brian Tonsoni break down Indiana’s newly released Big Ten schedule and debate whether it gives the Hoosiers a favorable path through conference play. They also discuss IU’s newest recruiting commitment and share early impressions of the football team. The schedule appears manageable early, but the closing stretch is another story. The guys explore: Where Indiana has its best opportunity to build momentum The road games that may be tougher than they look Why playing the Big Ten’s best teams at home matters Whether IU can withstand a brutal finish Also, Ryan offers an initial scouting report on Indiana’s new seven-foot commitment, while the crew considers what the addition says about the program’s recruiting strategy. They also touch on preseason Big Ten projections and strong starts across IU Athletics. The show closes with early reactions to Indiana football’s 2–0 start, including Josh Hoover’s encouraging play and the questions that remain before conference competition begins.

  6. Sep 3

    [1127] The Schedule Is Set — and Football Is Back

    It’s a great time to be a Hoosier. Brian Tonsoni is joined by Ryan Phillips and Bob Moats to break down Indiana basketball’s newly released non-conference schedule, sort through the latest eligibility questions, and get ready for the defending national champion football Hoosiers to open the 2026 season against North Texas. Sam Alexis’ eligibility remains unresolved, sparking a broader discussion about the NCAA, professional contracts, Summer League participation, and where college eligibility rules should ultimately draw the line. Victor Oladipo is attempting an NBA comeback, while a new documentary celebrates longtime Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer.Indiana volleyball earns a huge five-set victory over defending national champion Texas A&M, while IU men’s soccer continues its strong start. The guys dig into a schedule featuring five power-conference opponents, including neutral-site matchups with Syracuse, Arkansas and Kentucky, plus home dates against UCF and Missouri. Add exhibitions against Butler, North Carolina and Western Kentucky, and IU will have plenty of opportunities to learn about itself before Big Ten play. Why the Arkansas-Kentucky back-to-back could provide an early measuring stick.How marquee games at Madison Square Garden and Lucas Oil can help Indiana build its NCAA Tournament résumé.Why the schedule feels appropriately ambitious for a veteran roster—and why the Big Ten alone can’t be counted on to provide enough quality opportunities. The overlooked value of games against teams like Bellarmine and Tennessee Tech, whose styles could give IU useful early-season tests even if they aren’t marquee opponents. And what would constitute a successful record in those five biggest non-conference games. Finally, attention turns to Memorial Stadium as Curt Cignetti and the defending national champions begin another season. Expectations have changed dramatically: IU has reloaded, the entire home schedule is sold out, and simply getting to six wins feels like ancient history. The guys discuss what to watch against North Texas, why nobody should overreact to the first game, and how football success is changing the entire Bloomington experience—from ticket demand and hotel prices to the atmosphere surrounding every home Saturday.

  7. Aug 14

    [1126] Sam Alexis, Offseason IUBB Observations, and IU Football Talk

    In this episode of The Assembly Call, Jerod Morris and Ryan Phillips take stock of where Indiana basketball stands in mid-August after the Peru trip, Sam Alexis’ return, and the first real glimpses of this rebuilt roster. They dig into the reasons for cautious optimism, what this team’s identity could eventually become, and which questions still need to be answered before the games start counting. Why Sam Alexis’ return may matter more than a typical late-offseason roster addition—and what it changes about Indiana’s frontcourt options.What Bart Torvik’s early projections say about Indiana and a Big Ten that already looks brutally deep.The biggest lesson from Peru wasn’t any individual stat line, but what the roster suggested about how these pieces might fit together.What could define Indiana’s identity on both ends of the floor—and why this roster may offer Darren DeVries more ways to attack than he had a year ago.Which freshmen have raised expectations, which veterans may be getting overlooked, and how much we should really trust anything we see in August.A closer look at whether Indiana’s supposed depth is actually different this time—and why developing the back end of the rotation early could matter later.Does IU football’s incredible success take pressure off the basketball program… or quietly raise the standard for what fans will tolerate? Jerod and Ryan also work through listener questions about pace, rotations, roster fit, player development, and how this group compares with some of the recent Indiana teams that looked promising on paper. And with football season almost here, the show closes with some well-earned IU football talk, including what Ryan trusts most about the defending champs—and the biggest question he still has entering the season. The Assembly Call is presented by Homefield Apparel ... and now Upstairs too!

  8. Jul 24

    [1125] IU-Virgin Islands Exhibition Postgame Show

    Indiana 120, Virgin Islands 63 Indiana's summer tour rolled on with another lopsided win, but the score wasn't what had the Assembly Call crew talking afterward. Coach Brian Tonsoni, Ryan Phillips, and Bob Moats discuss a handful of standout performances, some intriguing lineup combinations, and why this team continues to look a little different from what Hoosier fans have grown accustomed to in recent years. It's still July, and everyone is appropriately cautious—but there were enough flashes in this one to make for another entertaining postgame conversation. Which Hoosier stole the spotlight with a performance nobody saw coming.Why the roster's overall depth continues to stand out, regardless of the opponent.Early signs of what Darren DeVries wants Indiana basketball to look like on the offensive end.The newcomers and freshmen generating the most buzz through the first few games.A discussion about the players who could quietly become fan favorites this season.Areas where the Hoosiers still have plenty of work to do before November arrives.One unexpected eligibility question that sparked an interesting conversation late in the show.With tougher competition still ahead, the guys resist the urge to overreact while acknowledging that this team has given fans plenty to be excited about. Summer basketball may not tell the whole story, but it's certainly making the wait for the regular season a little easier. The Assembly Call, like all shows on the Back Home Network, is presented by Homefield Apparel.

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4.7
out of 5
409 Ratings

About

Following your Hoosiers is always more fun with friends. Come hang out with us after every Indiana basketball game, and every Thursday night, as our team of hosts -- Jerod Morris, Andy Bottoms, Ryan Phillips, and Brian "The Coach" Tonsoni dissect every angle of IU basketball, as we've been doing since 2011. We are equal parts unabashed fandom and objective analysis, with plenty of laughter along the way. If you're looking for knee-jerk analysis and hot takes, this is NOT the show for you. But if you want a show that isn't afraid to critique play while always staying supportive of players, then this is the place for you.

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