Podcast – CrimsonCast

Former Indiana reserve quarterback Brendan Sorsby is at the center of one of the strangest college football controversies of the offseason, and CrimsonCast breaks down what the Texas Tech gambling scandal could mean for the Big 12, NCAA enforcement, NIL, and the future of college sports governance.Galen Clavio walks through the latest fallout: Cody Campbell's public comments, legal threats toward the Big 12, Texas Tech's messaging, the injunction timeline, the integrity questions surrounding sports wagering, and why this case exposes the larger problem with conferences trying to govern themselves. It's a bonus CrimsonCast episode about a messy story that touches Indiana, Texas Tech, college football, NIL money, and the entire structure of modern college athletics.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast coverage of Indiana, the Hoosiers, college football, college basketball, and the changing world of college sports.

Former Indiana soccer star Victor Bezerra joins CrimsonCast to talk about his IU journey, his family's Brazilian roots, playing for Todd Yeagley, and how Bloomington became a lifelong home.Grace Ybarra talks with Victor about growing up in Chicago, choosing Indiana, chasing IU men's soccer history, the heartbreak of the 2020 national championship loss, his professional soccer path with the Chicago Fire, and the relationships that still connect him to IU. They also dive into Victor's growing love for Indiana football, the emotional ride of the Hoosiers' championship season, the Rose Bowl win over Alabama, and why IU's football breakthrough felt so meaningful to former athletes and fans alike.Subscribe to the Back Home Network for more CrimsonCast conversations on Indiana, the Hoosiers, IU football, IU basketball, IU soccer, and the stories that connect Hoosier fans.

Galen Clavio opens CrimsonCast's 2026 Indiana football positional preview series with the most important offensive position on the field: quarterback.This episode focuses on Josh Hoover, the TCU transfer stepping into the spotlight after Fernando Mendoza's Heisman-winning national championship season. Galen compares Hoover's statistical profile with Mendoza's pre-IU numbers, explains why the turnover concerns around Hoover may be overstated, and looks at how his experience, processing, quick release, and RPO background could fit inside Curt Cignetti and Mike Shanahan's offense.The episode also covers how Hoover stacks up against other major college quarterbacks, what his NFL Draft scouting profile says about his strengths and weaknesses, and how the backup picture could develop with Grant Wilson and Tyler Cherry.

Galen Clavio kicks off CrimsonCast's World Cup coverage with Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer, incoming IDS co-editor-in-chief, soccer writer, and creator of Mateo's Matchday Report.This episode previews the tournament's biggest early storylines, including the unusual World Cup format, the teams that look like real contenders, potential dark horses, and what to watch from Team USA. CrimsonCast will be checking in throughout the tournament, and this preview sets the table for the month and a half of global soccer ahead.

Indiana football's national title glow keeps getting stranger — and bigger — as Curt Cignetti becomes the face of EA Sports College Football. But behind the celebration is a bigger question: how long can NIL donor funding and college sports' current business model really last?On this episode of CrimsonCast, Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield dig into NIL donor fatigue, why schools keep asking fans for more money, and how college athletics is still trying to operate like something other than the business it has become. Then they shift to Cignetti's video game cover moment, why it matters for Indiana football recruiting and perception, and the surreal experience of seeing IU football treated like a national power. The show wraps with Pacers roster questions, the Zubac trade, the lost draft pick, the Knicks' rise, Jalen Brunson, and what team-building in modern sports might tell us about Indiana football's championship model.Subscribe and follow CrimsonCast for smart, direct conversation on Indiana Hoosiers football, IU basketball, the Pacers, NIL, and the changing world of college sports.

Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio are back for a wide-ranging CrimsonCast episode that starts with summer sports season logic, Curt Cignetti birthday theories, and the arrival of the Indiana national championship jacket from Homefield.From there, it's into the College Football Playoff schedule, the debate over whether the postseason is too spread out, and the continued surreal experience of Indiana football living as defending national champions. Grace and Galen also discuss Curt Cignetti landing on the EA Sports College Football cover, Indiana basketball's neutral-site November games against Kentucky and Syracuse, the money behind modern college basketball rosters, and why athletes like Victor Wembanyama and Fernando Mendoza are making emotional investment in sports feel cool again.

Galen Clavio reacts to the first day of Senate hearings on the Cruz-Cantwell college sports bill and explains why the proposal, at least in its current form, seems unlikely to solve the biggest problems facing college athletics.This episode digs into the Big Ten and SEC's joint response, the push for pooled media rights, the politics surrounding the bill, and the testimony from figures like Nick Saban, Gordon Gee, and Pete Bevacqua. Galen also walks through why transfer restrictions are legally and ethically complicated if athletes are still treated as students, why Olympic sports funding has become such a difficult issue, and why real collective bargaining with athletes may be the only way to build a sustainable future for college sports.

Curt Cignetti's comments about the rising cost of college football recruiting sparked a bigger conversation about NIL, revenue sharing, and whether the current system is sustainable for Indiana and the rest of the sport.On this episode of CrimsonCast, Galen Clavio breaks down what Cignetti was really getting at, why the high school recruiting market is so difficult to price, and how IU football is still building momentum with major commitments like Myles Smith and Mason McDermott. Then we shift to Indiana basketball's November schedule, including the Kentucky game at Lucas Oil Stadium, Syracuse at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and what neutral-site games mean for IU fans, season-ticket holders, and the future of college sports scheduling.Subscribe and follow CrimsonCast for smart, direct conversation on Indiana Hoosiers football, IU basketball, and the changing world of college athletics.

Galen Clavio and Matt Blaszka dive into one of the most consequential weeks yet for the future of college football. The new Protect College Sports Act has brought NIL regulation, transfer limits, media-rights pooling, athlete compensation, and the future power of the SEC and Big Ten into one messy national debate.This episode breaks down what the bill is trying to do, why so many major players already have concerns, how the College Sports Commission is affecting promised NIL payments, and why the biggest conferences may be looking for a way to govern themselves. It's a Football Weather / CrimsonCast crossover for anyone trying to understand where college football might be headed next.

Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio are back on CrimsonCast to talk through a packed end of May for Indiana fans, starting with the Indy 500 and one of the wildest finishes the race has ever seen.They get into Felix Rosenqvist's win, David Malukas heartbreak, questionable IndyCar color schemes, Homefield apparel sightings at IMS, and Curt Cignetti's turn behind the wheel of the pace car. Then the conversation shifts to Indiana football, including early kickoff times, the huge October 17 matchup with Ohio State, CBS ranking Cignetti as the No. 1 coach in college football, playoff expansion chatter, and the fan bases that make college football both great and deeply annoying.

Galen Clavio is joined by Scott Caulfield and Bob Moats for a Back Home Network crossover episode reacting to a remarkable 2026 Indy 500. The conversation starts with the spectacle of race day itself — the sellout crowd, the improved IMS fan experience, the changing audience, and why Indianapolis Motor Speedway feels healthier than it has in years.Then the guys break down the race: Felix Rosenqvist's unforgettable final lap, David Malukas's brutal near-miss, Pato O'Ward, Marcus Armstrong, Scott McLaughlin, late-race strategy, cautions, crashes, and the bigger picture for IndyCar as a driver-driven series with real momentum.And because this is CrimsonCast, there's plenty of Indiana flavor: Curt Cignetti in the pace car, IU football's growing cultural presence, Jim Cornelison, the Purdue band, and what the Indy 500's balance of tradition and modernization might teach the rest of Indiana sports.

Ben Portnoy of Sports Business Journal joins Galen Clavio for a wide-ranging CrimsonCast conversation about the unstable future of college sports.They break down the latest fights over NIL, athlete compensation, federal legislation, the College Sports Commission, SEC and Big Ten power plays, possible conference self-governance, and why the College Football Playoff expansion debate is as much about media money as it is about access. They also get into how the transfer portal has changed roster building, why Big Ten programs have found different paths to national success, and what college football might learn from pro sports models like the NFL, MLB, and even open-wheel racing.

What if Indiana had finished the job in 1992?On this episode of The Crimson Era, Coach Tonsoni and Scott go back to one of the most painful “what ifs” in IU basketball history — Indiana's legendary 1992 Final Four battle with Duke. From the controversial foul trouble to Todd Leary catching absolute fire late, the guys break down the game that still has Hoosier fans talking more than 30 years later.Could this have been Bob Knight's last great championship team? Did the officiating change the game? And would Indiana have beaten Michigan for the national title?This one is a full-on trip through classic IU basketball history.

Galen Clavio and Grace Ybarra are back with a packed CrimsonCast episode covering Hoosier the Bison, the reveal of Abbey Armstrong, and why Indiana's mascot moment has landed so well with IU fans.They also talk through the latest debate over College Football Playoff expansion, the move toward a larger NCAA Tournament, and a great week for IU men's soccer after Sam Sarver turned a late FC Dallas goal into one of the most viral MLS celebrations of the year.Then it's full Indy 500 mode: qualifying, weather worries, race-day traditions, Grace's memories from the track, and winner picks for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Galen Clavio welcomes Colin McMahon of The Hoosier/On3 to talk through the new reality of Indiana football after a national championship season. They discuss how quickly the program's culture has changed, what it was like to cover the title run as both a student and reporter, and why the Hoosiers remain a serious national contender heading into 2026.The conversation also covers spring football takeaways, Josh Hoover, Tyler Morris, Indiana's running back room, defensive reload, and the recruiting momentum building around Curt Cignetti's program after another big weekend in Bloomington.

Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield shift gears for one of the best weeks on the Indiana sports calendar: Indy 500 week. They break down the 2026 Indianapolis 500 starting grid, Alex Palou's pole run, David Malukas and Alexander Rossi on the front row, and why this year's field feels unusually balanced.The conversation covers Penske, Ganassi, Andretti, Pato O'Ward, Santino Ferrucci, Josef Newgarden starting deeper in the field, possible race-day surprises, and the storylines that would make for the biggest wins locally, nationally, and internationally. They also react to FOX's qualifying broadcast and the quirks of watching the 500 as longtime Indiana sports fans.NOTE: We recorded this on Monday, before the Rossi / O'Ward / Grosjean accident happened. We hope everyone is okay!

Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield are back on CrimsonCast with a wide-ranging mid-May episode. They open with Indy 500 season, IMS nostalgia, Homefield gear, and a very important Purdue Chipotle achievement before turning to Indiana basketball's latest roster additions.The guys discuss Justin Munden, Clemens Sokolov, how Darren DeVries' roster is coming together, why continuity matters after last year's reset, and what IU's Big Ten schedule looks like on paper. They also talk about the importance of reconnecting Indiana basketball with fans around the state, Curt Cignetti's White House visit with IU football, Scott's new Crimson Era history series, and the pros and cons of expanding the NCAA Tournament to 76 teams.

Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio are back on CrimsonCast for a wide-ranging offseason IU football conversation. They start with travel stories, mascots, and the long-awaited Homefield Rose Bowl jacket before getting into Indiana's spring game, Josh Hoover, Carter Smith, the wide receiver room, and the overall vibe around a program trying to defend its spot at the top.They also talk about the Northwestern game moving to Friday night, IU's White House visit, Charlie Becker's growing fan-favorite status, and the debate over a possible 24-team College Football Playoff. Naturally, it all ends with a serious discussion of Pop-Tart Bowl flavor possibilities.

What if Indiana finished the job in Columbus?

Galen Clavio reacts to Stewart Mandel's profile of Curt Cignetti and uses it as a jumping-off point for a bigger conversation about Indiana football's stunning rise, the confidence driving the program, and the challenge of sustaining success after a national championship season.This episode looks at Cignetti's process, the idea of “controlled arrogance,” the parallels to Bob Knight-era Indiana basketball, and why IU's next challenge may be even harder than the climb itself. Galen also reflects on how far CrimsonCast — and Indiana football fans — have come from the low point of 2023 to the top of the sport.

The Crimson Era is officially underway—and we're starting with the stories that define IU.Coach Brian Tonsoni and Scott Caulfield kick off a new show dedicated to Indiana athletics history—diving into the moments, teams, and eras that shaped IU basketball and football. This is about legacy, perspective, and the conversations Hoosier fans love to have.If you've ever debated the greatest IU teams, relived iconic moments, or wondered “what if?”—this show is for you.In this episode, we cover:The vision behind The Crimson EraWhy IU basketball and football history deserve a deeper lookMemorable teams, turning points, and defining erasHow the past connects to where IU stands todayThe kinds of debates and stories we'll tackle moving forwardAnd we're making this interactive

Coming to you from Hawaii, Galen Clavio puts a bow on a wild April in IU sports and answers two big listener questions—one about college football, one about Indiana basketball. First, Galen reacts to the semi-viral Kirby Smart comments about why the Big Ten has won three straight national titles, and explains why “blue chip ratio” arguments don't tell the whole story anymore in the NIL/portal era. He breaks down why evaluation, development, and coaching innovation matter more than ever—and why Indiana's championship season is the ultimate counterexample to old assumptions. Then he shifts to basketball and the news that student seating at Assembly Hall is changing, with students moving into both end zones. Galen explains why that's a smart atmosphere play, how it can help IU re-create real home-court advantage, and why making Assembly Hall feel electric again will take both roster improvement and structural changes.

It's Derby week—and we're diving into one of the most fun (and chaotic) betting events of the year

Galen Clavio is joined by Sydney Parrish for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with Sydney's growing broadcasting career — what she's learned on camera, what surprised her about the work, and how her playing background shapes the way she sees the game.Then the focus turns to Indiana women's basketball and the offseason reset: what Teri Moren's program is building with a strong incoming freshman class, how the portal additions fit, and why next season's roster looks like a better blend of talent, shooting, and versatility after a “growing pains” year. They also discuss the unique challenges of the modern women's game — travel, physicality, height matchups across conferences — and what Indiana needs to do to climb back into the Big Ten's top tier.

Live from the Memorial Stadium parking lot right after Indiana's spring game, Galen Clavio is joined by CFB with Sam to break down what they saw, what matters, and what to take with the necessary spring-game caveats (especially with much of the offensive line out). They discuss the biggest standouts — including Turbo Richard's burst in the run game, Tyler Morris' highlight touchdown catch, early impressions of Josh Hoover, and how deep the receiver room looks with Nick Marsh, Shazz Preston, and more. On defense, they highlight the front's penetration, the depth/versatility up front, and why this unit again looks like it can be a weekly problem for opposing coordinators. They also hit special teams (two huge-leg kickers!), the recruiting weekend atmosphere, and what this event says about Indiana's momentum after the national title.

Galen Clavio previews the Little 500 races from Bill Armstrong Stadium as Bloomington gears up for the biggest weekend of the year — including the 75th running of the men's race. Galen is joined by two senior IU student broadcasters who will be on the call this weekend: Zach Browning (women's race play-by-play) and Nick Rodecap (men's race play-by-play). Zach breaks down the women's field, starting with Theta on the pole and the chase group behind them (including Teter, Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Melanzana, CSF, and more), plus how weather could affect race-day strategy. Then Nick previews a loaded men's race, headlined by Cutters' dominant spring series and Black Key Bulls' quest for a three-peat — with SAE, Fiji, Sig Ep, and a deep group of contenders ready to make it a chess match over 200 laps.

The NFL Draft is here — and for once, IU fans actually have real skin in the game.James & Scott break down the biggest draft betting angles, where Indiana players could land, and how to approach one of the weirdest (and most unpredictable) betting markets out there. Then we shift to NBA futures and playoff value plays — including why we're fading the obvious favorites and where the real money might be hiding.If you like smart betting talk with a little chaos mixed in… this one's for you.In this episode:IU players to watch in the NFL Draft (and how high they could go)Omar Cooper Jr. draft position + first-round expectationsFernando Mendoza odds, wild futures, and longshot dartsDraft betting strategy: how to actually find value (not just guess picks)Colts draft tendencies (and why they might do the same thing again…)Over/under on IU players drafted

It's a CrimsonCast x The Big Red Carpet crossover as Galen Clavio and Rhett Lewis preview the NFL Draft and break down where Indiana's championship stars could go — and what a massive draft weekend would mean for the IU football brand moving forward. They start with the headliner: Fernando Mendoza as the likely No. 1 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, then run through the next wave of Hoosiers with real draft momentum — including Omar Cooper Jr., D'Angelo Ponds, Elijah Sarratt, Aidan Fisher, and more. They also discuss why IU's developmental pipeline under Curt Cignetti and OC Mike Shanahan is now a tangible NFL selling point, and how “you can't buy that marketing” moments change recruiting, perception, and portal choices.

Galen Clavio is joined by pop culture writer and editor Abby Gardner (We Have Notes) for a completely different kind of CrimsonCast: a deep dive into Fernando Mendoza as a pop culture phenomenon.They break down how Mendoza went from “cool Cal postgame clip” to Heisman winner + national champion + presumed No. 1 pick, and why his vibe is so distinctive in 2026 sports culture: the earnestness, the “try-hard in the best way,” the nerd confidence, and the way his persona feels authentic across every platform. They also discuss the Esquire feature (including the fashion/styling choices), why Gen Z responds to “different kinds of masculinity” in sports, and how Mendoza's next stage with the Las Vegas Raiders could reshape both his image and the franchise's identity.

Galen Clavio is joined by Emma Watson and Ben Portnoy (Sports Business Journal) to break down what it's really like to attend The Masters at Augusta National—from the moment you park for free and walk through the gates, to the “choose-your-own-adventure” way you experience the course, to the small details that make Augusta feel like a different universe.They talk about why the event actually lives up to the hype, how the no-phone policy changes the vibe, the underrated best viewing spots (including a legendary setup on the 6th fairway), what it's like hearing caddie/golfer strategy up close, and why Augusta's broadcast and writing “mystique” is rooted in real visual storytelling.And yes… they also get into the gnome madness and the pro shop merch experience (including the moment Emma got separated from Galen and had to ask a security guard for help).

Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield kick off a packed April episode with Little 500 week, IU football spring game week, and the NFL Draft featuring a bevy of Hoosiers. Then it's the big story on the hardwood: Indiana men's basketball has assembled one of the top transfer portal classes in the country, giving Darian DeVries a real foundation to build on. Galen and Scott talk roster construction, why this portal haul feels different from prior years, and what still needs to be added (especially depth in the frontcourt) as the market continues to settle. After the break, the focus shifts to football: what to expect from Thursday night's spring game (including your first real look at newcomers like Nick Marsh and Josh Hoover) and why this is becoming a major cultural event now that season tickets are sold out. Then they close with the NFL Draft—why Fernando Mendoza is tracking toward becoming IU's highest-drafted player ever, and how many other Hoosiers could hear their names called, including Omar Cooper Jr. and D'Angelo Ponds.

Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio react to Indiana men's basketball's suddenly nation-leading transfer portal class — and then the episode gets an in-show plot twist when Villanova guard Bryce Lindsey commits to the Hoosiers while they're recording. They break down how Indiana got here (minutes + money + vision), what Darian DeVries and the staff are building with Markus Burton, Jaeden Mustaf, Darren Harris, Samet Yigitoglu, and Aiden Sherrill, and why this class looks fundamentally different—more size, more athleticism, more high-major experience, and more multi-year continuity. Then the show pivots to IU culture: Little 500 history and traditions, why the week is one of the best recruiting weekends in college football, and the behind-the-scenes quirks that make Little 5 such a uniquely Bloomington event.

Indiana's portal run keeps adding the pieces it had to add — size, physicality, rebounding, and rim protection. Galen Clavio is joined by Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth from X's and Joe's for another emergency crossover to break down Samet Yigitoglu's commitment from SMU and the rapidly building momentum around Aiden Sherrill (Alabama) who committed shortly after the podcast aired.They explain why Yigitoglu is a major need-fill: a true 7-foot-plus center who rebounds on both ends, creates extra possessions with offensive boards, and gives Indiana a real interior presence it didn't have last season. Then they pivot to the Sherrill discussion—why he profiles as a modern stretch-capable big who blocks shots, rebounds, and fits perfectly in Darian DeVries' spacing and two-man-game world. The episode also zooms out to roster-building: why Indiana's portal strategy looks far more “big-boy” this cycle, what adding multi-year pieces does for continuity, and what kinds of complementary players IU still needs to complete a functional 8–9 man rotation.

Indiana men's basketball's portal surge continues — and this one is a program-shifting add. Galen Clavio is joined by Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth from X's and Joe's for an emergency crossover breaking down Markus Burton's commitment to IU. The trio dives into Burton's profile as a high-gravity scoring point guard, why he's a completely different type of creator than Indiana had last season, and how his ability to draw fouls, finish, and hit shots changes the geometry of the floor for Jaeden Mustaf and Darren Harris. They also discuss Burton's defensive value (especially his knack for getting opposing point guards into foul trouble), the injury context and eligibility outlook, and what this commitment signals about Darian DeVries and Kenny Johnson operating with a clear, targeted plan in the portal. Finally, they zoom out to roster construction: why adding multi-year “bridge” pieces matters, what types of bigs Indiana still needs to complete the build, and why this kind of recruiting win is exactly how a program raises its ceiling in the modern era.

Indiana men's basketball finally has portal momentum — and it comes in a hurry. Galen Clavio is joined by Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth from X's and Joe's for an emergency crossover episode breaking down Indiana's first portal commitments: Jaeden Mustaf (Georgia Tech) and Darren Harris (Duke). They discuss Mustaf's profile as a physical downhill guard/wing, why his ability to get into the lane matters in the Big Ten, and what his production looked like in a tough Georgia Tech context. Then, mid-show, the second bomb drops: Harris commits — and the guys unpack what IU is getting in a former top-50 recruit with shooting gravity, defensive competitiveness, and clear schematic fit with Darian DeVries and Kenny Johnson building the roster. They also talk lineup construction, the rumored next domino (Markus Burton) and how these pieces would change the speed and creation ability of IU's offense, plus what this says about the staff's Year 2 plan: raising the floor in athleticism/physicality first, then filling in the frontcourt to complete the build.

Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio are back with a wide-ranging spring episode that starts with travel talk and Final Four week in Indianapolis — then shifts into the real headline: the college basketball transfer portal is open, and Indiana is staring at a roster rebuild in the NIL era. They discuss what Indiana knows right now (including Trent Sisley returning and the current roster math), what's still uncertain, and why the portal market has become so difficult to “price.” The conversation turns into a deep dive on how coaches evaluate players across leagues and levels (including the growing wave of international pros entering college basketball), why fit matters as much as stats, and the uncomfortable truth: for a 20-year-old in 2026, the Indiana basketball brand doesn't automatically close deals. Grace and Galen then shift to Indiana Football, and talk about the news that Fernando Mendoza is going to eschew attending the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh in favor of watching it from home. They close with a big-picture college sports discussion on SEC messaging — including the sudden push to eliminate the SEC Championship Game and what that says about playoff politics in the super-conference era.

Galen took to the YouTube Live on Wednesday at about noon to talk about the opening of the transfer portal and some early questions surrounding how Indiana will go shopping for players, how the matchmaking happens, and why it may be important for the Hoosiers to land a star early. He also talks about the timing of portal signings and why it's important for IU fans to not panic if nothing happens immediately.

Galen Clavio went live to talk about the college basketball world. We recap the Final Four games, talk about the UNC job search, look ahead to the transfer portal opening, and discuss the different budgets and approaches that teams will be taking over the next few weeks.

Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield recap an unbelievable moment for Indiana football: IU's Pro Day airing live on NFL Network, with Fernando Mendoza slinging it, and a roster full of legitimate NFL prospects getting the kind of spotlight the program rarely — if ever — enjoyed before the title run. They discuss what it means for recruiting, why this roster's depth of pro talent is a sea change for Indiana, and how Mendoza's one-year impact on the university is almost impossible to overstate. Then the conversation shifts to early spring-ball vibes, including the viral Nick Marsh gold cleats story and what it says about Curt Cignetti's standards — plus Cignetti's perfectly timed response to a TCU coach's “turnovers” jab about Josh Hoover. Finally, they close with a quick Final Four in Indianapolis preview and thoughts on the matchups (Illinois/UConn and Michigan/Arizona) heading into the weekend.

Galen Clavio breaks down what fans need to know as the men's college basketball transfer portal officially opens on April 7—and why it already feels like players are “in the portal” before the window even opens.He explains how portal announcements actually happen (agents, reporters, and early relationship networks), why early “schools linked to a player” lists are often incomplete, and how roster building has become a fast-moving market where the top budget slots get filled quickly. Galen also walks through why stats can mislead when players jump levels, why fit matters as much as production, and why not every outgoing transfer is a bad sign—many are simply market tests or better-fit searches in a world of mostly one-year deals.

We recap the two Elite 8 games from last night, look ahead to the games today, discuss more in coaching search land for college basketball, and talk about early impressions from Indiana football spring practice.

On this episode, Galen Clavio recaps the Sweet 16 games and preview what's coming up in the Elite 8. Plus we discuss North Carolina's job opening, the transfer portal, the attractiveness of certain jobs, and the way that program-building at the college level is changing now that GMs and player personnel directors are essential figures instead of luxury hires.

Galen Clavio breaks down the Sweet 16 field through an analytics lens—using Bart Torvik's T-Rank to explain what the remaining teams do best, which statistical profiles tend to win in March, and where the most important “Four Factors” edges show up (shooting, turnovers, rebounding, and free throws). He also highlights how the contenders differ stylistically (elite balance vs. offense-first vs. defense-first), why certain matchups may come down to variance (especially three-point volume), and finishes by comparing those Sweet 16 trends to Indiana's statistical profile this season—what IU did well, and what ultimately held them back.

Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio recap the strange lull after the first weekend of March Madness (and the real “basketball saturation → emptiness” hangover), then dive into Grace's on-site coverage from St. Louis for the NCAA Tournament's first and second rounds. They break down the wild Kentucky–Santa Clara finish (and the officiating/clock controversy), share behind-the-scenes locker room stories from Purdue, and react to the now-iconic moment of former IU big man Malik Reneau grabbing concession food in full uniform after Purdue's win.From there, the conversation pivots back to Indiana: what it feels like for IU fans to watch the tournament from the outside again, why the portal timing creates a dead zone for non-tournament teams, and why comparisons to other first-year coaching successes are tough—but inevitable.

Galen Clavio recaps a fascinating Sunday in the NCAA Tournament — a day that pushed back on the early top seed dominance and offered some encouraging signs for the Big Ten. He runs through the biggest results (including Alabama's blowout, Arizona surviving, Iowa State's statement, UConn's best version showing up, Purdue advancing, Tennessee's win, Saint John's rock fight, and Iowa's stunner), then zooms out to the bigger question Indiana fans can't avoid: why does IU keep watching other programs level up while Indiana sits at home? Galen discusses the new NIL/portal reality — how it's more “democratic” than people admit, how money still matters but smart spending matters more, and why the Iowa Sweet 16 run under first-year coach Ben McCollum stings in Bloomington. The conclusion is clear: the next few weeks are pivotal for Darian DeVries and Indiana basketball, because the program needs a roster with real identity, energy, and cohesion — not just hope.

Galen and Scott do a special live CrimsonCast, talking about the lack of upsets in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the most intriguing games of the second round, the UNC job potentially coming open, and a bunch of other college basketball topics.

It's bracket time.In this episode of CrimsonCast, Grace Ybarra and Galen Clavio preview the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, going region by region through the bracket, breaking down upset picks, best bets, dangerous mid-majors, and which teams they trust most to make a deep March run. They also debate how much “vibes” should matter versus predictive metrics, identify underseeded and overseeded teams, and make their Elite Eight, Final Four, and national title picks. The conversation includes picks on teams like Duke, Houston, Arizona, Michigan State, Gonzaga, VCU, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Iowa, Vanderbilt, and more — plus some strong takes on which popular upset picks are worth fading. By the end, both hosts land on Arizona as national champion, with a full bracket path laid out along the way. If you're filling out your bracket, looking for upset logic, or just want a smart and entertaining March Madness preview, this one has you covered.

It's tournament time, and Crimson Cash is diving headfirst into the chaos. Scott and James break down NCAA Tournament betting strategy, talk through upset trends, build a bracket live on the show, and mix in the usual combination of sharp betting angles, Big Ten bias, and unhinged March energy.In this episode, the guys dig into how often double-digit seeds really hit, whether blindly betting every underdog is genius or insanity, and which teams they actually trust when the bracket tightens up. They also build out a full bracket live, talk survivor-pool strategy, throw out a few tournament bets they like, and close with an early look at Big Ten college football win totals, including Indiana's eye-popping number.Topics in this episode:NCAA Tournament betting strategy and historical seed upset trendsWhy 12-over-5 gets the headlines, but 11-over-6 matters tooScott's all-underdog betting system and whether it actually worksDraftKings-style bets on tournament upset outcomesOhio State and Wisconsin as early teams James likesA full live bracket build with Final Four and title picksSurvivor-pool thoughts and Sweet 16 futures anglesLive-betting advice for March MadnessEarly Big Ten football win totals, including Indiana at 10.5Join the conversation with your bracket picks, biggest upset calls, and favorite tournament bets in the comments. And if you're riding with Crimson Cash all tournament long, subscribe and follow along for more picks, reactions, and betting talk.Crimson Cash is a proud part of the Back Home Network.TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS00:00:44 NCAA Tournament time begins00:03:28 Tournament betting strategy and seed upset history00:05:03 Scott's all-underdog betting system00:10:47 Betting the 12-over-5 and other upset markets00:11:27 Ohio State, Wisconsin, and early parlay/survivor thoughts00:13:00 Live bracket build begins00:30:37 Big Ten football win totals, including Indiana at 10.500:33:34 Sweet 16 futures, live betting, and final betting adviceNote: timestamps may not appear as clickable links for every listener depending on platform/app.

Indiana men's basketball is officially done for the season — and now the real questions begin.In this episode of CrimsonCast, Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield react to Indiana narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament, examine the decision to turn down The Crown, and break down what it says about the current state of the program. They also dive deep into the realities of roster building in the portal era, comparing Indiana's approach to other programs and asking what has to change for the Hoosiers to finally build a tournament team. This episode covers IU's weak bubble case, the frustration of coming up just short, the marketing and fan-engagement problems around ending the season quietly, the financial conversation surrounding Indiana basketball, and a detailed look at how first-year coaches across college basketball built NCAA Tournament teams through the transfer portal. If you're trying to understand where Indiana basketball goes from here — and why this offseason feels so important — this episode lays it all out.

What do FanDuel's newly released over-under totals say about the Indiana Hoosiers in 2026?In this episode of CrimsonCast, Galen Clavio breaks down Indiana football's projected win total, how it compares to the rest of the Big Ten, and what the national title odds suggest about the Hoosiers' place in the college football landscape. From Indiana's favorable schedule to the respect Curt Cignetti's program is getting from oddsmakers, this is an early look at how Vegas views IU heading into the new season. Galen also examines where teams like Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Miami, Texas, and others stack up in the betting market — and what those numbers reveal about conference strength, public perception, and playoff expectations.

Galen Clavio and Scott Caulfield react to Indiana men's basketball's Big Ten Tournament loss to Northwestern and the frustrating reality that the season is effectively over — despite a late-February moment when IU still looked like a solid NCAA Tournament team. They break down how the Hoosiers struggled in the games that mattered most, why the roster construction left almost no margin for error, and how the end-of-season slide creates an offseason problem: there's little continuity to carry forward, which makes it harder for fans to stay emotionally invested in “portal season” hype.The episode also zooms out to the big picture: how Indiana has quietly performed like a lower-tier Big Ten program over a full decade, why the “turning down postseason tournaments” conversation reflects where the program actually is, and what needs to change—culture, roster fit, and expectations—if IU wants March to feel like Indiana again.