The Assembly Call IU Basketball Podcast and Postgame Show

Latest Episodes:

AC Radio: Mackenzie Mgbako Decision Primer May 12, 2023

Show notes

The big news this week is the impending announcement of Mackenzie Mgbako, who will decide between Indiana and Kansas tomorrow. We'll discuss his decision, plus the other options Indiana may still have in the transfer portal. That, and much more.

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AC Radio: How College Basketball Scheduling Really Works with Rocco Miller May 05, 2023

Show notes

This week on Assembly Call Radio, special guest Rocco Miller will join fellow bracketologists Andy Bottoms and Brian Tonsoni. They'll discuss the realities of college basketball scheduling and how it impacts teams' seasons and ultimate bracket fates. Plus, updates on IU's transfer portal targets and more.

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🚨 Emergency Pod: Anthony Walker Commits to IU Apr 29, 2023

Show notes

Mike Woodson and Indiana secured another transfer portal commitment on Saturday afternoon when grad transfer Anthony Walker announced his intention to play for IU. Walker played the last four seasons at Miami, getting double-digit minutes in the Hurricanes' Round of 32 win over Indiana this season.

While it's easy to be underwhelmed by the pickup based on Walker's stats, peeling back the layers of the onion reveals the logic for why IU's staff wanted a guy like Walker. We discuss that on this episode, including some lingering questions we have about the pickup as well.

We also discuss today's announcement of a matchup with Auburn in Atlanta, and Jordan Geronimo's decision to attend Maryland.

On the mics: Jerod and Coach

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AC Radio: X is Officially Back! Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

The NFL Draft may have the attention of most sports fans, but IU fans will still be celebrating the official return of Xavier Johnson, who had his medical hardship waiver granted. We'll discuss the impact of X's return plus much more.

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AC Radio: What's Next for IU in the Portal? Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

Join us for our weekly discussion about Indiana basketball. This week's big news was Chris Ledlum surprising many by committing to Tennessee. We look at his decision from several angles, focusing especially on what's next for Indiana in the transfer portal as the Hoosiers look to complete their roster for 2023-24.

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AC Radio: Dissecting the Obvious (and Not-So-Obvious) Roster Voids Left to Fill Apr 14, 2023

Show notes

Join us at 9 ET on Thursday night for our weekly discussion about Indiana basketball. This week we'll discuss -- what else? -- the transfer portal, and the voids still remaining on IU's roster as Mike Woodson and his staff look to fill the three remaining scholarships

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What All IU Fans Need to Know About Kel'el Ware with Nate Olson of SBLive Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

When Kel'el Ware committed to Indiana, a two-part narrative quickly emerged about his one up-and-down season at Oregon:

One, Ware has undeniable physical gifts and basketball talent. That has never been in question. But the other part of the narrative is that Ware might be a player with effort or "motor" concerns, and could those prevent him from reaching his full potential at Indiana and beyond?

Many IU fans found a story written by Nate Olson of SB Live and Best of Arkansas Sports that did a great job of trying to contextualize Ware's season in Eugene. The story is titled "Accusations of Laziness Dogging Indiana Commit Kel’el Ware Deserve Deeper Look," and you can read it here: https://www.bestofarkansassports.com/arkansas-basketball-kelel-ware-transfer-portal-oregon/

In this special edition of The Assembly Call, Jerod is joined by Olson to provide that deeper look on Ware as a player and person. Olson has covered Ware since his high school days as a prep superstar in Little Rock and knows Ware and his game as well as anyone in the media.

We discuss how, as a young player, Ware faced similar concerns about his motor and how he and his high school coach worked through them. What does that story suggest about the best way for the IU coaching staff to reach him and get the most out of him?

(Additional suggested reading: https://news.scorebooklive.com/oregon/2022/03/04/north-little-rock-big-man-kelel-ware-finally-letting-game-do-the-talking)

We also dive into what (probably) went wrong in Oregon, and why a surface level view of the two situations suggests that Indiana has a chance to be a much better fit.

Plus, Olson shares some anecdotes from Ware's high school career that suggest he only scratched the surface of what he's capable of offensively at Oregon. What kind of player could he become as soon as this season if Mike Woodson is able to fully unlock his confidence?

All of that and much more in this very insightful conversation with Nate Olson.

To learn more about SBLive Sports, which recently expanded their coverage into Indiana, visit https://scorebooklive.com/indiana.

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🚨 Emergency Pod: Kel'el Ware Commits to IU Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Mike Woodson and Indiana secured another big transfer portal commitment on Monday night as Kel'el Ware made his intention to play for IU official. Let's react!

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Kel'el Ware Scouting Report with Spencer McClaughlin Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Jerod chats with Spencer McClaughlin of Locked on Ducks about the newest Hoosier, Oregon transfer Kel'el Ware.

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AC Radio: Transfer Portal Madness Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

Join us for our weekly discussion about Indiana basketball. We'll discuss the latest news from the transfer portal -- nationally, in the Big Ten, and, of course, for our Hoosiers.

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