Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down for this week's podcast, examining IU football's 5-0 start, where the Hoosiers stand at the bye week and more. Plus, a lengthy look at Darian DeVries' preseason preparations, and why he's bringing his basketball team to his fan base so intentionally and so often this month.
Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss Indiana's 20-15 win Saturday afternoon at Kinnick Stadium, a game won by a late pass from Fernando Mendoza to Elijah Sarratt that left Curt Cignetti and his players praising the resilience of a team now heading into its bye week 5-0.
Tyler Tachman from the Des Moines Register joins a special Mind Your Banners to preview Indiana's Saturday trip to Iowa from the Hawkeyes' side. What strengths might Iowa lean on? Do the Hawkeyes have injury concerns? What's the interest in this game from the local side? Tachman and Osterman cover a multitude of topics as they prepare listeners for this weekend's game.
Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman huddle to trade final thoughts on IU football's 63-10 win last weekend against Illinois, before turning their attention to the challenge awaiting Curt Cignetti's team this weekend in Iowa City. Will Fernando Mendoza handle his first road test? How do the Hoosiers navigate Kinnick Stadium? What kind of game will this be? All that and more, discussed. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:24 -- Wrapping Illinois 7:46 -- What we've learned about IU through four games 20:08 -- Initial thoughts on Iowa 28:30 -- The Hawkeyes' defensive strength 35:50 -- Kinnick Stadium, and Indiana's first road test 41:53 -- Fernando Mendoza so far 47:33 -- Louis Moore eligibility update 50:47 -- Final thoughts and predictions
Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman break down the ins and outs of Indiana's dominant 63-10 win Saturday night against Illinois, a blowout victory over a top-10 team. Topics discussed include Fernando Mendoza's performance, IU's wider dominance offensively, the threat of Indiana's pass rush and what all this game means for Curt Cignetti's program moving forward. Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU
Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down to discuss (through some technical difficulties) Indiana's forthcoming primetime showdown with top-10-ranked Illinois. The Hoosiers will be tested against Illinois' veteran passing attack, while the game will be a challenge for Fernando Mendoza and his offensive line.
Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss what impressed them about IU football's dominant nonconference finale win against Indiana State on Friday night, including Omar Cooper's record night, Fernando Mendoza's confidence and an impressive defensive display.
Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss the Hoosiers' win over Kennesaw State, Fernando Mendoza's growth from Week 1 to Week 2, what, if anything, Indiana can take out of its forthcoming game against Indiana State, and how quickly the focus will shift to Illinois. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:04 -- Reviewing Kennesaw State 7:32 -- Fernando Mendoza's improvement 13:25 -- Latest on Louis Moore's case 17:14 -- Indiana State, as it frames Illinois 27:04 -- What IU can glean from Friday's game
IndyStar's Zach Osterman and The Herald-Times' Mike Niziolek discuss IU football's 56-9 win against Kennesaw State on Saturday, including an improved connection between Elijah Sarratt and Fernando Mendoza, Mendoza's improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, a defensive display with pros and cons, and more.
Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss the good, bad and indifferent from IU football's 27-14 Week 1 win against Old Dominion, a victory that flashed promise for Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers while suggesting Indiana still has work to do to return to the College Football Playoff conversation in 2025. Chapters: 0:00 -- Intro 1:15 -- General Old Dominion takeaways 8:24 -- Fernando Mendoza's IU debut 17:48 -- An expanded ground game, and newfound explosiveness 27:11 -- Injuries, Louis Moore and safety concerns 33:27 -- A look at Kennesaw State 43:28 -- IU grappling with greater expectations Get IndyStar's IU coverage sent directly to your inbox with our IU Insider newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/iu-insider/?ipid=NLsignupIU
Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman return with the ultimate Mind Your Banners supershow. Across the course of more than 90 minutes, Mike and Zach break down key questions surrounding Curt Cignetti's team, offer schedule projections and bold predictions, and pepper in some playful over/unders specific to IU's performance offensively and defensively this fall. Remember to like and subscribe IndyStarTV: Hoosiers on YouTube for more great IU football content across the course of the coming season!
Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman sit down to discuss football fall camp (position battles, areas of concern, reasons for optimism) and IU basketball's recent preseason tour of Puerto Rico, where Darian DeVries' team showcases some promise and some progress across a 3-0 trip.
Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss their takeaways from IU basketball's open practice last week, how it informs what they expect from the Hoosiers' preseason tour of Puerto Rico and what Darian DeVries' team might accomplish this week in San Juan.
Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman dig into the talking points that emerged from Big Ten football media days last week, and what to watch closely as the Hoosiers gather for Curt Cignetti's second fall camp in Bloomington.
With conference media days looming next week, Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss the mood around the Hoosiers, the recent debate about their nonconference scheduling philosophy, where Fernando Mendoza fits into the national conversation around Indiana, and more.
IndyStar IU Insider Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek of the Bloomington Herald-Times sit down to discuss the impending start of the revenue-sharing era, how it affects NIL's impact on college sports and how Indiana plans to implement rev share in Year 1. Plus, discussions of expectations and early thoughts about IU's 2025 football season.
Evansville native, Butler alum and national broadcaster Brandon Gaudin joins the podcast to discuss his career, his work over the years calling Butler basketball and Big Ten sports, working as the voice of the Madden video game franchise and his role now as the television play-by-play voice of the Atlanta Braves.
Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek discuss Mike's takeaways from IU's spring football game last week, before diving into the considerable job Darian DeVries and his staff have done rebuilding the IU men's basketball roster almost from scratch, with work left to do.
Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek sit down to preview IU's looming Thursday spring game. The pair examine key storylines on both sides of the ball, areas the Hoosiers need more depth, where youth might be served for Curt Cignetti's team in 2025, and more.
Mike Niziolek and Zach Osterman discuss the latest in Bloomington, as Darian DeVries begins to build out both his coaching staff and his roster, and prepares to jump back into the portal starting with a slew of visits this weekend.