Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are back to preview the 2025-26 college basketball season, diving deep into IU's transformed roster under first-year coach Darian DeVries and analyzing the landscape of college hoops in the NIL era. Even with football still riding high in Bloomington, it's time to turn attention to the hardwood.

Segment 1: The Big Money Conversation

The hosts discuss the seismic shifts in recruiting and compensation:

• Cignetti's $3 million raise and IU football's impact on the athletic department
• Ohio State reportedly paying Anthony Thompson $3+ million while their head coach makes $2.5 million
• Why IU's "whiff" on Thompson was actually smart strategy
• The psychology of the hot seat driving desperate roster decisions

Segment 2: Indiana Basketball Deep Dive - The DeVries System

Bob and Mike break down what makes DeVries' approach fundamentally different:

Offensive Evolution

• Pick-and-roll revolution with multiple skilled ball handlers creating unpredictability
• Screener deception making the screener a weapon again
• The passing upgrade: Two players with 30%+ assist rates (first time in 15 years)
• Conceptual principles vs. rigid sets from the past decade

The Defense Question

• West Virginia's top-20 defense proves DeVries can scheme effectively
• Tucker DeVries as a "free safety" goading turnovers
• Why size concerns about IU's bigs might be overblown

Roster Construction

• Experience over elite talent: The sweet spot model in action
• Team chemistry from players who've already played together
• Translatable skills from mid-majors to high-majors

Segment 3: Big Ten and National Landscape

• Purdue: Highest floor in the country but ceiling questions remain with Braden Smith's penetration limitations
• Houston: Kelvin Sampson's shocking three five-star haul after landing just two in 17 years
• Michigan: Portal royalty additions but can Elliot Cadeau finally live up to his potential?
• Kentucky & Louisville: Pope's spending spree vs. Pat Kelsey's three-point shooting arsenal that could set records
• Illinois: "The Belgrade of the Corn Belt" with multiple Balkan players including both Visic brothers
• Iowa & Minnesota: The Battle of the Drake Boys - seven former Drake players split between IU and Iowa as the Big Ten moves away from traditional Painter/Izzo/Bo Ryan models

Segment 4: The Clarity Problem - NIL Era Questions

• Big schools now poaching from each other (70% to 30% flip in three years)
• The $12-15 million championship roster question
• Sweet spot vs. superstar models after Florida's unconventional title run
• Economic limits forcing strategic choices even at major programs

Bob and Mike promise more Moneyball conversations about roster construction, an upcoming chat with author William Murphy about IU basketball history, and continued analysis as DeVries' system meets Big Ten competition.

On the mics: Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth

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As IU football has reached heights not seen in generations, so too has the mood of the IU fanbase. Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth sit down with Ryan Phillips to discuss the change in vibes experienced by fans of the long suffering Hoosier program.

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IU football just went from “pinch me” to “prove it.” Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth sit down with Galen Clavio to unpack the Hoosiers’ rapid rise—how it happened, what it means, and how a long-suffering fanbase should handle success. Then we zoom out: the decades-old cultural tug-of-war between the North and South and how it fuels the Big Ten vs. SEC battle for the soul of college football.

What you’ll hear

“Was it real?”—reliving last season and why fans should savor this run, not fear it.

How IU’s surge compressed the “honeymoon” timeline and turbocharged recruiting in Year 2.

The North vs. South culture clash: narratives, talent pipelines, and why media/TV incentives shape the conversation.

Chapters (approx.)

00:00 Cold open

11:30 “Was it real?” + savoring the moment

23:45 Recruiting & the accelerated timeline

49:50 Big Ten vs. SEC culture war

1:19:05 TV money, media narratives, and power dynamics

About the show

Hosted by Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth, X’s & Joe’s blends data, history, and a little Hoosier heart. Today’s guest: Galen Clavio.

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Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth examine the beloved mythology of in-state recruiting, exploring whether building championship teams with local talent is still viable in modern college basketball.

Puerto Rico Recap & Recruiting Updates

[00:00-15:00]

Bob and Mike discuss IU's successful exhibition trip to Puerto Rico, highlighting impressive performances and what the games revealed about the team's offensive potential. They also touch on the busy recruiting landscape, upcoming visits, and how the new coaching staff is filling their recruiting pipeline with diverse targets across multiple positions.

The Dorothy Complex

[15:00-30:00]

Using "The Wizard of Oz" as a framework, Bob and Mike dive into the mythology surrounding in-state recruiting. They identify three distinct versions of the argument:

• The extreme position: Load up on as many in-state kids as possible
• The moderate approach: Swap in a few three-star locals at the margins
• The observational stance: Frustration over missing elite in-state prospects

The discussion explores whether kids even want to stay home anymore, given changing family backgrounds and transplant populations.

The Numbers Game

[30:00-45:00]

Mike presents data showing Indiana's changing talent production compared to basketball hotbeds like Georgia and Texas. Key revelations include how Indiana now produces only 2-3 top 100 players annually versus seven in peak years, and the geographic shift of elite talent toward the South and Southwest. The conversation covers population migration, infrastructure changes, and why the "inexhaustible pool" theory no longer holds.

Modern Coaching Realities

[45:00-60:00]

Bob examines what coaches actually consider when balancing in-state versus national recruiting, using Matt Painter's Purdue model as a case study. Topics include:

• System-based recruiting versus talent acquisition
• The "who can you get" factor in roster construction
• How the transfer portal changes long-term planning
• Why relationships with local coaches still matter

Championship Blueprints

[60:00-75:00]

Analysis of national championship rosters reveals that 85% of starters over the past 25 years were from out-of-state. Even programs in talent-rich areas like Virginia had zero in-state starters on their title team. The discussion examines whether building around local talent is mathematically feasible for championship contention.

Indiana's Path Forward

[75:00-End]

Bob and Mike conclude with strategies for maintaining in-state connections while pursuing elite talent nationally. Topics include using walk-on programs strategically, staying visible in local communities, and why the current coaching staff's diverse recruiting approach makes sense for IU's championship aspirations.

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Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are joined by Scott Caulfield of Crimson Cast to examine the Big Ten's championship drought, exploring why the conference has failed to produce an NCAA basketball champion since Michigan in 1989.

Main Topics

Scott's Origin Story & Bloomington Memories

[00:00-15:00]

Scott shares his unlikely journey from New York City to small-town Bloomington and the formative experiences of growing up around IU's campus. Stories include legendary arcade haunts, meeting Galen at the campus radio station, and surviving Bob Knight's actual college class - complete with unforgettable encounters that reveal Knight's intimidating presence up close.

One Shining Moment Obsession

[15:00-30:00]

Scott reveals his decades-long ritual of recording and analyzing every One Shining Moment video since the early 1990s. The conversation explores:

• Why this montage is unique in all of sports

• How production values have evolved over the years

• What the footage reveals about which conferences actually matter in March

• The painful reality of Big Ten representation in recent years

The Numbers Don't Lie

[30:00-45:00]

A data deep-dive into Big Ten tournament performance since 1987 reveals a troubling pattern of near-misses and missed opportunities. The discussion examines whether the conference's multiple championship game appearances represent bad luck or something more systemic about Big Ten basketball.

Coaching & Conference Leadership

[45:00-60:00]

Questions about the Big Ten's coaching hierarchy and whether the conference has the leadership to compete with other major conferences.

Topics include:

• Tom Izzo's role as unofficial conference dean

• Resistance to modern changes like NIL and transfer portal

• How other conferences are embracing younger, more adaptable coaches

• Whether the Big Ten needs a changing of the guard

The Talent Gap

[60:00-75:00]

Eye-opening recruiting data reveals stark differences between Big Ten rosters and championship-caliber teams from other conferences. The analysis covers geographic talent distribution, position-specific recruiting challenges, and why the conference continues to lose homegrown stars to programs outside the Midwest.

Indiana's Championship Window

[75:00-End]

Scott makes the case for why Indiana might be uniquely positioned to break the Big Ten's championship drought. The conversation covers the program's potential advantages in the modern college basketball landscape and whether IU can finally give Big Ten fans something to celebrate in One Shining Moment.

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Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth field listener questions on a range of sports and non-sports topics to fill the summer dead period in college basketball, covering everything from bison merchandise to movie recommendations.

Main Topics

Summer Check-ins & Countdown Clock

[00:00-15:00]

Bob and Mike catch up on summer travels - Bennett's first beach trip and chocolate-fueled Hershey Park adventures. Mike reveals they're officially under 30 days until college football kickoff. They also plug Perry Metz's YouTube channel featuring digitized classic media interviews from the 70s and 80s.

Bison Merchandise & Black Uniform Debate

[15:00-25:00]

Questions about the bison costume unveiling (August 30th against Old Dominion) and Homefield Apparel's early merchandise drop. The conversation shifts to IU's relationship with black uniforms, including memories of the infamous 1997 disaster against Kentucky and why black works for both traditionalists and recruits.

Tony's Coaching Questions

[25:00-45:00]

Jokes about Tony Adragna’s "massive NIL resources" at Greenwood Christian Academy lead to discussions about championship expectations. Questions about whether recruits automatically get ranking boosts after committing to major programs spark analysis of causation vs. correlation in recruiting rankings.

IU Roster Deep Dive

[45:00-65:00]

Detailed breakdown of how IU's wing rotation might work with multiple versatile players. Discussion covers why the program didn't pursue another traditional center more aggressively, examining DeVries' offensive philosophy and the constraints of roster building in the portal era.

Basketball Philosophy Questions

[65:00-85:00]

Debates over NCAA tournament expansion and whether Bob Knight's motion offense could work in the modern game. Topics include shot clock constraints, the evolution of dribble penetration, and how defensive adjustments have changed offensive spacing.

Movies & Random Fun

[85:00-End]

The episode lightens up with Bob and Mike's top 10 films since 2000, discussions of timeless movies, and personal questions about technology predictions. Things get silly with dream pet choices - Bob wants a monkey butler while Mike strategically picks a red panda to score marital points.

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Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth dive deep into the shadowy world of negative recruiting in college basketball, exploring the tactics, effectiveness, and ethics of programs steering players away from rival schools.

Main Topics

Sports Dead Period & Pacers Reflection

[00:00-15:00]

Bob and Mike discuss the dreaded summer sports lull and reflect on the Indiana Pacers' surprising playoff run. They examine the team's selfless ball movement, Tyrese Haliburton's devastating injury, and what the season meant for bringing fans back to NBA basketball after years away.

Negative Recruiting Parallels to Politics

[15:00-25:00]

Drawing parallels to political campaigning, Bob and Mike establish how negative recruiting works as a persuasion contest. They discuss:

• Key differences between political ads and recruiting (multiple "candidates," shadow operations)
• The concept of "kamikaze" recruiting to prevent rivals from landing recruits
• Strategic timing of when to go negative in recruitment battles

The Intelligence Game

[25:00-35:00]

The conversation turns to how programs gather intelligence on recruits and families. Topics include:

• Assistant coaches' extensive networks and relationship-building
• Understanding family dynamics and decision-makers
• The role of third-party surrogates like AAU coaches
• How specific intel can get (down to restaurant preferences)

Variables & Vulnerabilities

[35:00-45:00]

Using a comprehensive list of recruiting factors, they explore how different variables create opportunities for negative recruiting. The discussion covers playing time, facilities, academics, party scene, geography, and more, emphasizing how each recruit's priorities differ dramatically.

The Scott Drew vs. Bob Knight Story

[45:00-55:00]

Bob and Mike recount the legendary bathroom confrontation where Bob Knight cornered Scott Drew over negative recruiting materials. This story illustrates the tensions between established programs and upstart challengers trying to disrupt the recruiting landscape.

Player Compensation Era & IU's Fresh Start

[55:00-End]

The discussion shifts to how NIL has changed recruiting dynamics and examines IU's situation under the new coaching staff. They analyze recent comments about fan expectations and how confident leadership can address external criticism.

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