Indiana University Football Hires Former Virginia Tech Head Coach Justin Fuente as Analyst
Indiana football has added former Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente as an analyst to coach Tom Allen’s staff in Bloomington. The addition of Fuente comes exactly one week after Allen fired former offensive coordinator Walt Bell and promoted Rod Carey to that same role without an interim tag. Prior to being given the offensive coordinator role, Carey was a quality control coach for Allen at Indiana.
Fuente was the head coach for six seasons at Virginia Tech from 2016-21 and took over for the Hokies after legendary coach Frank Beamer retired following the 2015 season. Virginia Tech went 10-4 and reached the ACC Championship in 2016 during Fuente’s first season, and for his efforts, Fuente was named the ACC Coach of the Year. However, the Hokies have not reached 10 wins in a season since 2016. Overall, Fuente went 43-31 and 28-20 in conference during his six seasons in Blacksburg. After making a bowl each season from 2016-19, Virginia Tech went 5-6 in 2020 and 5-5 in 2021, and did not play in a bowl game in either year. When Virginia Tech failed to make a bowl game in 2020, it snapped a 29-year streak of bowl game appearances. After the 2021 season, Fuente and the school mutually agreed to part ways.
Prior to arriving in Blacksburg, Fuente was the head coach at Memphis from 2012-15. He finished with a 26-23 record during his four years there, however, the Tigers went 19-6 during his last two seasons as the coach. Memphis won a share of the American Athletic Conference title in 2014 and finished the season ranked No. 25 in the AP poll, and in 2015, Memphis ranked as high as No. 15 under Fuente. Overall, Fuente has a 69-54 record as a head coach at the FBS level.
Wednesday night’s Indiana-Purdue Volleyball match at Wilkinson Hall is sold-out
For the second time in as many home games, Wilkinson Hall is sold out to the general public ahead of a highly anticipated match between in-state rivals Indiana and Purdue. Students, faculty and staff will have access to a limited number of tickets with a valid Crimson Card at the door. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and wear white. The match has an early start time of 6:00 PM with doors opening to the public at 4:30 PM. The Hoosiers set a Wilkinson Hall attendance record of 2,632 fans for last week’s (September 30th) contest with No. 2 Nebraska.
IU will look to break the record again as top-20 Purdue comes to town on Wednesday evening 6PM for a match broadcasted nationally on the Big Ten Network. The Purdue and Indiana rivalry has been played 110 times since both schools begin sponsoring women’s volleyball, making it the most commonly contested Big Ten volleyball matchup in the conference’s history. The two programs play for the Monon Spike every year with the trophy game alternating between host sites each season. Wednesday’s match in Bloomington will be played for the traveling trophy, one of the few volleyball rivalries with such prize. For tickets to one of IU’s six remaining home matches following Purdue, fans can click the link below for single-game purchases. Single Game Tickets
Indiana University Field Hockey wins at Bellarmine
Indiana Field Hockey got back into the win column on Sunday defeating Bellarmine, 1-0, at Trager Stadium. With the win, IU boosts its record to 5-7 on the season. IU is at home today to face No. 5 Louisville at noon at Deborah Tobias Field.
Bellarmine drew the first penalty corner of the game and took the first shot of the game in the 8th minute. Sydney Keld cleared the shot and got Indiana possession of the ball back. Freshman forward Ava Winner found the back of the cage in the 26th minute to put Indiana in the lead, 1-0. Lara Mortz assisted on the goal. Indiana’s defense set the tone for the game, forcing Bellarmine scoreless and junior goalkeeper Arabella Loveridge collected three saves.
Bellarmine drew five penalty corners in the fourth period. Indiana’s defense never lost focus as it prevented Bellarmine from getting a shot off on three of the five corners in the final periods. Ava Winner’s goal was the first of her collegiate career. Indiana took ten shots in the game with six different Hoosiers taking a shot. Yip van Wonderen recorded five shots, tying her career-high for most shots taken in a game. Lara Mortz’s assist was her first of the season. Indiana is now 4-0 all time against Bellarmine. Indiana drew one penalty corner in each quarter.
Indiana University Women’s Golf finishes 11th at the Evie Odom Invitational
The Indiana Hoosiers women’s golf team finished 11th at the Odom Evie Invitational played at the Inverness Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia with a 54-hole score of 887 (287-301-299; +47). Sophomore Faith Johnson led the Hoosiers’ scoreboard along with her twin sister, shooting a 221 (71-76-74; +11) to finish t-34th. She converted three birdies on the weekend, starting on No. 6 and 18 in round one, as well as No. 15 in the final round. The other half of the team’s leading twins, sophomore Chloe Johnson, shot a three-round total of 221 (74-75-72; +11) to secure a t-34th-place finish. She recorded a lone birdie in the opening frame, before following it up with three more birdies in the second round on No. 3, 16, and 17. Johnson also contributed birdies on holes No. 7, 11, and 12 during the final round Sunday.
Senior Dominika Burdová, who saw her first eagle of the season, finished t-40th. The Czech Republic native, shot a 222 (71-75-76; +12), continuing the consistent play she has demonstrated for the Hoosiers this season. Burdová made six birdies throughout the invitational and an eagle, taking two strokes on a No. 13 par-four during the opening round. Graduate student Caroline Craig posted a score of 225 (71-75-79; +15) to finish t-52nd overall. The Georgia native sank birdie putts on No. 3, 6, and 16 in the opening round, No. 10 and 16 in the second round, and No. 5, 12, and 16 in the final frame. Redshirt junior Caroline Smith finished t-52nd overall after shooting a 228 (75-76-77; +18) for the invitational. The Wake Forest transfer converted her lone birdie on No. 10 in the opening round this weekend. Indiana will return to the golf course for the Alley Invitational played from Oct. 23-25 at the Old Waverly Golf Club Course in Starkville, Mississippi.
The Savannah Bananas are coming back to Indianapolis and Victory Field in 2024
You want Bananas, you’re getting Bananas. The Savannah Bananas announced destinations for their 2024 Banana Ball World Tour, and Victory Field is once again on the map. The Vic will host the Savannah Bananas and Party Animals for three consecutive dates from June 27-29, 2024. Fans may sign up to receive presale alerts from the Bananas, and all Indians season ticket and mini plan holders will receive presale access to tickets before the general public on-sale. “We saw firsthand this summer just how fun and captivating Banana Ball can be, welcoming the two biggest crowds in Savannah Bananas history to beautiful Victory Field,” said Randy Lewandowski, Indianapolis Indians president and general manager. “Our organization is thrilled to host the Bananas again – this time for three consecutive days – in June 2024.”
The Savannah Bananas’ mission is to make baseball fun. Their on-field hijinks and shenanigans has attracted thousands of fans, including nearly 30,000 fans to Victory Field on June 30 and July 1, 2023, for back-to-back days of Banana Ball. “We can’t wait to bring the show back to Victory Field in 2024,” said Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole. “Indy was loud and proud last year, and we knew we had to return!” All team rosters will be filled with the most entertaining and talented players in the world, including former MLB stars and celebrity guests. In 2023, former MLB stars Jake Peavy, Hunter Pence, Johnny Damon, Josh Reddick and Barry Zito all joined the team during the tour. “I think this year showed people that we aren’t just here to entertain but that we can actually play at a very high level, too,” said Bananas’ infielder Jackson Olson. “2023 was life-changing for all of us, but 2024 is about to be the biggest challenge yet and we’re all ready for it.”
Tickets start at $35, and children age 3 and under get in free as long as they do not occupy a seat. Very Important Bananas (VIB) tickets are $85 and include early entry and a meet-and-greet with players. Concessions will be available for purchase and are not included in the price of the ticket. “Indiana Sports Corp is excited to work with its community partners to welcome back the Savannah Bananas to Indianapolis and Victory Field in 2024,” said Patrick Talty, Indiana Sports Corp president. “Our city has already shown that it has embraced Banana Ball and its unique brand with the two largest crowds in the history of the Savannah Bananas. We look forward to the return of this event at the best minor league park in the country and getting to once again witness the ‘World-Famous Baseball Circus’ in person.” “From a tourism perspective, Indy hosting this family-friendly group once again during the height of summer travel will help drive more visitors to the city,” said Chris Gahl, executive vice president with Visit Indy. “As we saw this past summer, the group’s growing popularity and social media presence helps catch the attention of potential visitors looking for a unique summer experience.”
When the Bananas are not on the road, they play their home games in front of a sold-out, 4,000-person crowd at historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Ga. Bananas games at Grayson Stadium have been sold out for eight straight years. For the complete 2024 Banana Ball World Tour schedule and opportunity for tickets, visit www.thesavannahbananas.com/tickets and join the Ticket Lottery List to get the opportunity to be drawn in the lottery for a chance to purchase tickets.
Indiana Pacers fall to the Memphis Grizzlies in NBA Preseason Opener While it was only an exhibition, there were plenty of positive storylines in the Indiana Pacers’ preseason opener on Sunday night in Memphis. Tyrese Haliburton did not play, but the rest of the Pacers’ starters got off to a solid start before yielding the floor to Indiana’s youngsters in the second half. First-round picks Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard put on a show, combining for 34 points after halftime. Jalen Smith then converted a game-tying layup to force overtime in the final seconds of regulation. In the end, the baby Pacers came up just short in a 127-122 overtime loss, but the final score was little more than a footnote.
Walker the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft led Indiana with 19 points, going 7-for-15 from the field and 4-for-9 from 3-point range while also tallying nine rebounds and four assists. Sheppard, the 26th overall selection, added 15 points in 25 minutes over the final two quarters and overtime. Second-year guard Bennedict Mathurin led the starters with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting and also pulled down seven rebounds. T.J. McConnell, starting for Haliburton, tallied 11 points and eight assists in the first half. The Pacers were without three players for Sunday’s preseason opener. Second-year guard Andrew Nembhard did not travel with the team on the road trip after dealing with a kidney stone in recent days. All-Star guard Haliburton and backup center Daniel Theis both of whom played in the FIBA World Cup last month did not dress.
Obi Toppin scored the Pacers’ first points of the preseason on a midrange jumper on the opening possession and quickly added a three and a dunk. Toppin’s seven points propelled the Pacers to an early 14-10 lead. The Grizzlies responded with a 16-5 run to surge in front, with Richmond, Ind. native Desmond Bane scoring seven points over that stretch. The two teams went back and forth over the remainder of the first quarter, but it was Memphis that took a narrow 34-32 advantage after the opening 12 minutes. The scoring slowed down for both squads for much of the ensuing frame. Mathurin did his best to keep Indiana close, scoring nine points in the second quarter. But Memphis reeled off a 15-8 run late in the frame, capped by Derrick Rose’s three that made it a 10-point game with 35 seconds remaining. On the other end, McConnell knocked down a trey of his own to get the Blue & Gold back within single digits entering the intermission, as Indiana trailed 66-59. Mathurin was the only Pacers starter to play in the second half, as Carlisle elected to give his younger players run over the final two quarters. Walker and Sheppard both started the third quarter, and both made contributions. Sheppard, playing in the same state where he starred at Belmont University, knocked down two threes in a 53-second span early in the third quarter. He added a layup and another triple later in the frame to cap an 11-point quarter. Walker, meanwhile, tallied four points, three rebounds, and two assists in 10 minutes in his first preseason quarter, a solid start before finding his shooting stroke in the ensuing frame.
The Pacers trailed for the vast majority of the third quarter but made four free throws in the final 20 seconds of the frame to tie the game at 91 entering the fourth quarter. Indiana took a 97-96 lead on Jalen Smith’s dunk with nine minutes remaining and stayed in front for nearly five minutes. David Roddy’s three-point play with 4:10 to play put Memphis in front, 106-104. Walker answered with a go-ahead three on the other end, but Kenneth Lofton Jr.’s hook shot at 3:40 gave the Grizzlies the lead once again. The hosts remained in front for nearly two minutes, but once again, the Pacers’ rookies came up big. Sheppard set up Walker for his third three of the fourth quarter, which tied the game at 112 with 1:50 to play. Sheppard seemingly drew a foul with 31.2 second remaining that would have sent him to the free throw line for two foul shots to give Indiana the lead. But the Grizzlies challenged the foul call successfully, resulting in a jump ball at midcourt. Memphis won the tip, and Lofton put back his own miss to put the Grizzlies in front with 18.8 seconds remaining.
On the other end, the young Pacers were unfazed. They worked the ball around the perimeter and second year forward Kendall Brown eventually drove and kicked out to Smith on the right wing. Smith then drove and converted an athletic layup in traffic to force overtime. Walker opened the scoring in the extra session, knocking down another three off a screen despite being bumped during the shot by Memphis forward Jake LaRavia. He converted the free throw to cap a four-point play. The two teams went back and forth again throughout the extra session. Smith’s hook shot tied the game at 122 with 1:50 remaining, but LaRavia’s layup put Memphis ahead by two with 1:13 to play. The Pacers had multiple chances down the stretch to tie or take the lead. Sheppard missed a potential game-tying jumper with 15.8 seconds left, but Brown corralled the rebound. Once again, he passed out to Smith, who drove and drew a foul on LaRavia. Smith missed the first free throw, however. After a timeout, Smith missed his second free throw on purpose, but Indiana couldn’t get the rebound. That sprung a fastbreak for the Grizzlies, which LaRavia finished with a dunk to seal the game. Three Indiana natives led Memphis in scoring. Indianapolis Native Jaren Jackson Jr. had a team-high 18 points, five rebounds, and five blocks for Memphis. Richmond Native Desmond Bane added 17 points and four assists, while Indianapolis Native Jake LaRavia scored 15 off the bench. The Pacers continue their preseason road trip with a visit to Houston tonight. They will then return to Indiana, where they will play their final two exhibitions at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Oct. 16 and 20 before opening the regular season on Oct. 25.
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