Report: Indiana University Men’s Basketball to Host Missouri in a Non-Conference Matchup Indiana men’s basketball is continuing to fill out its non-conference schedule for 2026-27. Per a report from CBS Sports, the Hoosiers are closing in on an agreement to host Missouri at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Friday, December 18. This will be a one-off game, with no return matchup in Columbia, Missouri connected. The Tigers finished 2025-26 with a 20-13 overall record. They made their second consecutive NCAA Tournament but fell in the first round. Missouri has appeared in March Madness in four of the last six years. This will be Indiana and Missouri’s first meeting in over 20 years. The last game was on December 19, 2004, in Columbia, a 56-53 Tigers win. Mizzou has won the last three games in the series — IU’s last win was December 7, 1999, in Columbia. The teams have played 18 games against each other, with each side winning nine. This is the sixth reported game on IU’s non-conference schedule for the coming season. In addition to buy games against Eastern Illinois, Bellarmine, and Bowling Green, Indiana has neutral-site contests lined up against Syracuse and Kentucky.
Big Change Coming to The Finals of the 98th City of Bloomington Golf Tournament The 98th Bloomington City Golf Tournament is trimming a bit of the fat, and no, no GLP-1s are involved. For the four who make the finals of the Phil Talbot Men’s and the Paul Gray Senior Championship flights on July 19 at Cascades, their Sunday outings will end much more quickly with the reduction of the 36-hole, one-day format to an 18-hole contest. Back in 2013, shrinking numbers of players who wanted to participate in the tourney’s highest levels forced then-Cascades director Aaron Craig to lower the fields to 16 players, down from 32, for match play. The price of slimming the tourney to two weekends was a 36-hole final played in one day rather than spread over two days on a third weekend.
It was a tough day for the Super Seniors, who happily went back to an 18-hole final in 2024. “I welcomed that because I have a bad back,” said Super Senior Dan Neubecker, who lost in 30 holes in 2023 and has split the last two 18-hole titles by scores of 1 up and 2 and 1. “And doing 36 holes in one day … I’m good for about 27. After that…” Meanwhile, the Seniors and Men plowed on through the usually hot, seven-plus-hour battles, even with twosomes. The only Junior final since 2021 was shortened to 18 holes in 2023. The 36-hole final has been a staple of the tourney since the beginning, so this is a big deal. “The biggest thing was making it easy on the golf course,” Cascades head pro Jason Sims said. “We’re a revenue business, so taking half a day for two matches to try to play 36 on tee times, and also get done quicker. The hall of fame does its program after the tournament, so getting them in and out and not having people waiting around. “If you’re playing 36, it’s a long process.”
Sims did not come to that decision alone. “I definitely did ask around,” Sims said. “I talked to the big players who play regularly in the city. Hall of Famers. So, it wasn’t something I did on my own. I asked around and got their thoughts, and they were mostly good with it. They understood why. “The Seniors liked it, so it’s the Men’s players questioning it, maybe. But I think it’s better overall.” It will bring a real sense of urgency to the final. In the past, even a five-hole deficit after 18 was not insurmountable, as Doak Henry Jr. proved in 2019. And draining some of that drama, especially so early, is what bothers the current four-time defending champ the most. “I think it’s unfortunate that they made that decision,” Jason Bannister said. “It’s unique to have a 36-hole final; it really helps separate the better players. It turned it from a sprint into a marathon. You can pace yourself, and it really allows for a lot of lead changes, for a lot of things to occur. “Just going to an 18-hole final will eliminate what I would call the pay-per-view quality of the match. You get 36 holes, the lead doesn’t change, and it turns into a blockbuster. With 18, it can get out of hand really quickly. There’s no time for a comeback.”
For the Seniors and Super Seniors, it’s a good idea, he agreed. But Banister understands the event’s legacy and what tradition means to it, even as it changes with the times. “I think I understand why they did it,” Bannister said. “But it’s such a historical event. One of the longest-running match-play tournaments in the country. At that point, it’s down to just two people. I’m disappointed that it’s only 18, in my opinion, but it’s the history behind it more why I’m upset.”
The 2025 champs in the Men’s, Seniors and Super Seniors are all back and will open against 16th seeds when play kicks off on Saturday, July 11. Bannister, the four-time defending Phil Talbot Men’s champ, will open his defense against Zayne Dwigans, a recent Edgewood grad. In the Paul Gray Seniors, defending champ Chad Osborne starts against Brad Wilson. Ike Martin, following his record 13th title and second in the Ross Rush Super Seniors, starts off his run against Phil McCann. “I’m happy with where I’m at,” said Bannister, who tied for 38th at the Indiana Open this week. “I didn’t play great golf, hit the ball well, I just struggled with my putting. It’s more about the management side at Cascades.” The only streak longer than Bannister’s is Talbot’s run of nine from 1935-43. In 2012-13, Bob Hasty was the last Senior to repeat. Gary EuDaly will be after a record fifth title in the Seniors.
The pairings set up some interesting first-round matchups in the Men’s field. Qualifying champ Mitch Oard, the No. 2 seed, is the Pfau Course’s assistant golf course supervisor. He’s up against, against No. 15 Brad Scroggins, Cascades’ course superintendent, who made a run to the semifinals last year as a 12th seed. Likewise, a pair of Cascades’ employees and former Bloomington North golfers, Brayden Bunger, an IU student who works in the pro shop, and groundskeeper Daniel Melwid, face off in an 8-9 matchup. Then there’s current Cougar Ryan Decker, who comes in off his playoff victory in the Boys 15 bracket at the Indiana Age Group Championships at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth and a win in the 14-15 division of the Golfweek Junior Tour event at Pfau. At Age Group, Decker (73-74) held the first-round lead but forced an extra hole after Day 2 with a birdie on 18, then made another birdie to win it. He won by seven shots at Pfau with a 73-74—147, a score that tied for third among all players aged 14-19. Now, as a fourth seed in his first go at the Men’s bracket, the youngest member of the field and the 2023 Junior champ, faces the oldest in 64-year-old 13th seed Tim Gillespie, who decided to give the Men’s division one last go despite being eligible to play in the Seniors again. In addition to the 48 Championship flight golfers, there are 57 more in the regular flights. The Senior, Super Senior, and Women’s Regular flights will begin play on Saturday, while the Men’s Regular flights will start on Sunday. All semifinals will be on July 18, and the finals on the 19th.
The Women’s competition went unfilled from 2020-24 before Missy Ringler took the title, her 11th, last year. She’s not returning, but the largest field in more than a decade will tee off this week, with 11 players creating two flights. “We have a good number, and it’s a mixed bag of players,” Sims said. “We have some high schoolers and some ladies from our Ladies League who are older. We threw them all in one division. We used to have the Marian Lawson, but they’re all comfortable playing in a good, competitive bracket. “I was excited to see it, because ‘I don’t like to see my scores in the paper,’ is what I heard in the past. They’ve gotten over that, I guess. The ladies are competitive. They want to win. They recruited women to play.” Edgewood senior Libby McElhinney is the top seed and gets a bye in the seven-player top flight. Mustang grad Marley Jackson and former Cougar Kourtney Grimes are also in the field. North players Mira Bruce and Sadie Woodring are in the Second Flight. The Junior Boys tourney has been vacant since 2023, as only two signed up this year.
Bloomington South Graduate and Ball State University Junior Happy Gilmore Ties for 10th at the Indiana Open Bloomington South grad and Ball State junior Happy Gilmore (71-71-72—214) finished in a tie for 10th at 2-under in the Indiana Open at Brickyard Crossing on Wednesday. South grad Nick Bellush tied for 24th (74-69-75—218) and Jason Bannister (75-74-73—22) tied for 38th. Former IU golfer Mitch Davis climbed into a tie for eighth after a final round 66. Back on July 2, the 126th Indiana Amateur wrapped up at Broadmoor in Indianapolis, with Bellush being the highest area finisher, tying for 51st at a 2-over 218 (71-71-76). Gilmore tied for 60th at 5-over (72-73-76—221).
The Los Angeles Sparks Spoil Caitlin Clark’s Return Beating the Indiana Fever 106-92 Nneka Ogwumike had 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists and the Los Angeles Sparks spoiled Caitlin Clark’s return, beating the Indiana Fever 106-92 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak. Clark returned after missing two games because of a back injury. She had nine points in 16 minutes for Indiana (12-9). Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 29 points. Lexie Hull added 14, Damiris Dantas had 12 and Tyasha Harris 10. Indiana star Aliyah Boston sat out because of right leg injury. Rae Burrell added 22 points for Los Angeles (9-11). Dearica Hamby added 21 points and nine rebounds, and Erica Wheeler and Ariel Atkins each scored 12 for Los Angeles. Kelsey Plum (lower left leg) and Cameron Brink (left ankle) did not play. Atkins’ steal and fast-break layup capped Los Angeles’ 7-2 to begin the second half for a 55-43 lead. The Sparks led 82-71 entering the fourth.
Toledo Mud Hens Shutout the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field With the Indianapolis Indians and the Toledo Mud Hens tied for third place in the second-half International League standings, the Mud Hens pulled away with a 2-0 win over Indianapolis on Wednesday night at Victory Field. Veteran experience put a halt to the Indians’ growing momentum, as 34-year-old Carl Edwards Jr. (W, 4-6) hurled a gem and held Indianapolis (8-6, 39-50) scoreless over 5.2 innings with six punchouts. Edwards, who made his professional debut in 2012, pumped out his best outing of the year to stop the Indians in their tracks, a hot club that went 7-3 in their last 10 entering Wednesday night. Noah Davis (L, 1-8) allowed a leadoff single to Franklin HS Graduate Max Clark in the third inning and a leadoff triple in the fourth inning to Trei Cruz. Both runners eventually came around to score and gave Toledo (9-5, 43-45) a 2-0 lead. That was all the Mud Hens needed, and Tanner Rainey (S, 2) collected the last out of the ball game to seal their victory.
Indiana State Announces the 2026-27 Women’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Indiana State Head Women’s Basketball Coach Marc Mitchell unveiled the Sycamores’ 2026-27 non-conference schedule Wednesday afternoon.
The Sycamores’ 12-game non-conference slate features five home games inside Hulman Center and seven road contests. Five of the Sycamores’ seven road contests are within a four-hour radius of Terre Haute, with the other two road games being part of a northeastern swing for the Sycamores.
Indiana State begins its 2026-27 season with a three-game road trip, opening its campaign November 2 at Northern Illinois. The Sycamores defeated the Huskies last season in Terre Haute behind a strong opening quarter. Indiana State follows with a pair of games in New Jersey, paying visits to Seton Hall on November 6 and Rutgers on November 8. The Sycamores have never played a team from the Garden State prior to the early-season games with the Pirates and Scarlet Knights, which will also mark a return to Head Coach Marc Mitchell’s home state.
The Blue and White open their home slate November 10 against IU Indy, opening a three-game homestand which includes visits from Wright State on November 13 and Bellarmine on November 17. Indiana State nearly overcame a double-digit deficit last season against IU Indy, while Marc Mitchell’s first win at the helm of the Sycamores came against Wright State in the 2024-25 season. Indiana State pays a visit to Southeast Missouri State on November 19 before returning to Hulman Center for back-to-back home games against Chicago State on November 29 and SIU Edwardsville on December 2. The Sycamores last played Southeast Missouri State in the 2024-25 season, defeating the Redhawks behind an 8-0 run in the final minute to close the game. Indiana State last played Chicago State in the 2022-23 season, defeating the Cougars by 25, while the Trees fell on the road at SIU Edwardsville last season.
The Trees’ non-conference slate closes with three straight road games, starting with a December 6 tilt at Miami (Ohio), the defending Mid-American Conference champion and an NCAA Tournament team last season. Indiana State and Miami (Ohio) last played in the 2017-18 season in Terre Haute. The Sycamores continue their longstanding rivalry with Eastern Illinois December 9 in Charleston, looking to build off a 90-69 win over the Panthers last season in Terre Haute. Indiana State concludes its non-conference slate by paying a visit to Butler for the third straight season on December 13.
The Sycamores’ 20-game Missouri Valley Conference schedule, along with tip times and broadcast information for the full 2026-27 schedule, will be announced at a later date.
2026-27 Indiana State Women’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Nov. 2 – at Northern Illinois
Nov. 6 – at Seton Hall
Nov. 8 – at Rutgers
Nov. 10 – IU INDY
Nov. 13 – WRIGHT STATE
Nov. 17 – BELLARMINE
Nov. 19 – at Southeast Missouri State
Nov. 29 – CHICAGO STATE
Dec. 2 – SIU EDWARDSVILLE
Dec. 6 – at Miami (Ohio)
Dec. 9 – at Eastern Illinois
Dec. 13 – at Butler
Indiana State welcomed 13 newcomers for the 2026-27 season, consisting of one freshman, seven junior college transfers and five four-year college transfers. 10 different states – Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Texas and Wisconsin – are represented in the signing class, which includes seven guards and three forwards. The incoming class of Sycamores joins a pair of returners in Jayci Allen and Amerie Flowers. Flowers averaged 7.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season, ranking in the top 15 in the MVC in rebounds despite playing just 15 minutes per game. Allen was among the top 3-point shooters in the conference in 2025-26, averaging 9.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while leading the Sycamores with 50 3-pointers. Season tickets for Indiana State home games are now available, with season tickets as low as $40 for lower-level seats for Indiana State’s 15-game home slate. For more information, contact Manager of Ticket Sales and Service Mason LaGrange at 812-237-8972 or mlagrange1@sycamores.indstate.edu.
Indy Eleven’s Makel Rasheed Named to the USL-C “Team of the Week” Defender Makel Rasheed became the ninth different Indy Eleven player to earn USL Championship “Team of the Week” honors this season after helping the Boys in Blue to their fourth shutout in the past five matches in all competitions, a 2-0 victory over Charleston Battery on Saturday. Rasheed has started the last five games, helping his team allow just one goal in that span. Indy Eleven broke the scoreless tie in the 82nd minute when captain Aodhan Quinn played a free kick to the edge of the six where the 6’5 Rasheed headed it across to the far post for Josh O’Brien to volley home for Rasheed’s second assist this season. The 25-year-old Rasheed completed 38 of 42 passes overall while winning 6 of 8 duels and notching one blocked shot, four clearances and three interceptions defensively.
The Boys in Blue defense is tied for second in the league with 12 goals allowed in 12 league contests after goalkeeper Eric Dick recorded his 34th career shutout on Saturday. Rasheed has made an impact in his first season for Indy Eleven, converting the winning penalty kick in the Prinx Tires USL Cup shootout at Lexington SC on June 20, after recording his first assist at Birmingham FC on April 19. He started in his Boys in Blue debut in the season opener at Brooklyn FC, leading the team with 14 duels won, 10 aerial duels won, and 10 clearances. Rasheed began his collegiate career with three seasons at the University of Indianapolis, before playing his final two years at Xavier. The Boys in Blue have won four of their last five in USL-C play to improve to 6-3-3. Indy Eleven travels to Miami FC on Wed. July 15 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.