6-Banner Sunday: Indiana adds Langdon Hatton from the transfer portal
Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, and presented by our friends at Trueblood Real Estate, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.
This week, another transfer portal commit was announced, adding another piece to the roster. This could round out transfer portal recruiting with a talented slate of players set for the 2024-2025 roster.
Besides this, a piece of next year’s schedule was revealed, Hoosiers in the NBA, and weekly shows round out the basketball portion of 6-Banner. We will, as usual, conclude with a look at other Indiana sports, led by softball being in the NCAA tournament.
Here is what’s in this week’s edition:
• Langdon Hatton commits and signs with IU
• Transfer portal recruiting recap
• IU to host Eastern Illinois in a non-conference game
• Hoosiers in the NBA
• Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup
Banner #1 – Langdon Hatton commits and signs with IU
The Hoosiers had all but two roster spots filled when the week started. However, that number became one a few days ago when former Bellarmine player Langdon Hatton announced on social media he was coming to Bloomington after visiting campus.
IU then confirmed the signing the next day. Hatton averaged 10.5 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Knights in 2023-2024. He will serve as newcomer Oumar Ballo’s backup at center come the fall.
This addition will likely close spring recruiting for now. With only a single scholarship open and every position accounted for with multiple bodies, the Hoosiers go into next year with high expectations.
Banner #2 – Transfer portal recruiting recap
The sudden hype is due to a spring in which Indiana cleaned up in the transfer portal and added a five-star freshman. As a result, a squad that limped to a 19-14 finish with no postseason is now among the league favorites in 2024-2025.
Besides Ballo and Hatton, the Cream and Crimson shored up a shallow backcourt with the additions of Kanaan Carlyle and Myles Rice. This trio will likely pair with returnees Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau in a revamped starting lineup. They will be joined by blue-chip prospect Bryson Tucker, former Illinois sharpshooter Luke Goode, and returning senior Trey Galloway to form a formidable rotation.
Inside the Hall recapped IU’s roster moves this spring. They also looked at where other Big Ten teams stand following changes for everyone since the offseason began.
Banner #3 – IU to host Eastern Illinois in a non-conference game
It is already known that IU will head to the premier Battle of Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas over Thanksgiving for three games. This competition will highlight the team’s pre-Big Ten slate.
Besides this, though, nothing else was announced as to who Indiana would play in November and December. That changed this week when it was confirmed the Hoosiers would host nearby Eastern Illinois on Sunday, November 10.
The Panthers will be paid $100,000 to come to Bloomington. They finished 2023-2024 with a 14-18 record and were No. 320 in KenPom. IU has easily dispatched EIU in both previous meetings. Also, the Panthers are coached by former Hoosier player Marty Simmons, who has deep ties to the state of Indiana.
Banner #4 – Hoosiers in the NBA
Kel’el Ware is the only prominent Hoosier contributor who will not return in 2024-2025 because he is off to the NBA Draft.
Almost all sources have Ware in the back half of the first round following the NBA combine. Ware himself participated in the combine, where he had measurements done on his body and was interviewed.
As for former Indiana players already in the NBA, OG Anunoby remains the last one still alive in the playoffs. He is out with an injury but could return for today’s decisive game seven.
Anunoby’s Knicks are still trying to disperse the local NBA team, the Indiana Pacers. The series has been thrilling so far, with each team winning at home in all six contests. The winner-take-all match will be today at Madison Square Garden, with a 3:30 p.m. start time on ABC.
Banner #5 – Podcast on the Brink and Back Home Network shows
Podcast on the Brink and The Back Home Network had several new shows in the last few days. POTB discussed the Hatton addition with Greg Waddell of Sleepers Media.
Meanwhile, Assembly Call had AC Radio on Thursday to talk about the Hatton commitment as well. Finally, TBH had new episodes of Crimson Cast, Xs and Joes, and Right Up Meridian.
Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup
• Softball made their second straight NCAA tournament as one of the last four teams in the field. The Hoosiers fell 7-6 in their opener and 5-1 in an elimination game to close a very successful season at 40-19 overall. Also, four players were honored as all-region.
• Baseball lost the series finale to Nebraska last weekend. However, they took two of three from Michigan to close the regular season and keep their slim postseason hopes alive. They obtained the three-seed for the Big Ten Tourney, where they open with a showdown against Purdue at 11 a.m. Tuesday on BTN. Also, their midweek game against Louisville was rained out.
• Men’s golf finished 8th at the NCAA tournament to conclude their season.
• Track and field competed at the Big Ten Championships, with the men finishing fifth and the women 12th.
• Women’s Soccer added a staff member.
• Field Hockey announced its schedule for next fall.
Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.
Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor
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