X's and Joe's

Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth examine how the transfer portal and NIL have fundamentally altered the landscape for mid-major teams and their ability to pull off NCAA tournament upsets. [0:00-5:00] Introduction & Producer Welcome Introduction of new producer William McDermott Discussion of recent Indy 500 race Setup for main topic on March Madness becoming "less mad" [5:00-15:00] The Old Formula f...

In this episode, Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth dive into the chaotic world of the college basketball transfer portal, examining how it's reshaping rosters across the country and what strategies teams are employing in this new landscape. After celebrating Mike's milestone birthday and discussing the historic announcement of the first Villanova alum Pope, Bob and Mike jump into their analysis of how di...

Bob and Mike welcome Andy Bottoms from The Assembly Call to discuss the evolving world of bracketology and what the 2025 NCAA Tournament reveals about the future of college basketball. This episode offers an insider's perspective on how bracketologists approach their craft, the metrics that matter most to the selection committee, and why the drama of bubble teams captures the public's imagination...

Episode 29 offers a comprehensive analysis of Mike Woodson's four-year tenure as Indiana University's basketball coach, examining the factors behind his hiring, the challenges he faced, and the broader implications for college basketball coaching searches at traditional powerhouse programs. Hosts Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are joined by Josh Burton of Everything College Basketball to discuss how W...

In this special live episode, hosts Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth break down Indiana's hiring of Darian DeVries as the program's 31st head basketball coach. The hosts dive into DeVries's background, coaching philosophy, and what Hoosier fans can expect moving forward with a mix of cautious optimism and analytical insight. The conversation explores DeVries's impressive track record at Drake (where he...

Episode 27 offers a comprehensive year-in-review of the 2024-2025 college basketball season, examining both expected outcomes and surprising developments as the NCAA Tournament field is set. Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth analyze the shifting conference power dynamics, team regressions, and unexpected success stories while reflecting on what these patterns reveal about modern college basketball. Segme...

In episode 26, hosts Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth welcome guest Ryan Phillips from The Assembly Call to discuss coaching search dynamics in college basketball, particularly focusing on Indiana’s current situation following Mike Woodson's departure announcement. Segment 1: The Wall of Sound and Silence The hosts explore the challenging information landscape during coaching searches, comparing it to "...

On this episode of X's and Joe's, Bob and Mike explore how the 3-point shot has revolutionized basketball, examining its evolution from gimmick to fundamental strategy and its impact on modern offensive systems. Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth trace the history of the 3-point line from its origins in early professional leagues through its adoption across all levels of basketball, while analyzing how it...

Episode 24 of Xs and Joes, hosted by Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth, explores the complex dynamics of program expectations in college basketball, with special guest Jerod Morris of The Assembly Call. The discussion examines how expectations are formed, managed, and evolve in modern college athletics, using Indiana basketball as a primary case study while drawing broader insights about fan psychology a...

Hosts Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth provide an emergency analysis of Indiana University basketball's current state following concerning recent losses and program developments. Segment 1 After briefly discussing their recent trip to Philadelphia and the historic Palestra, they examine the underlying factors contributing to IU's current struggles: The unique nature of Mike Woodson's hiring and the dual...

Hosts Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth explore the concept of momentum in college basketball programs - what it really means, how it manifests, and what drives it in both positive and negative directions. Segment 1 After briefly discussing recent football playoffs, they dive into defining program momentum and how it differs from game-level momentum. They explore how momentum is more about perception and...

On this episode of Xs and Joes, the crew explores how college basketball programs try to use pace of play to their advantage, bringing in Coach Tonsoni and Coach Adragna to provide tactical insights. The discussion examines how tempo and pace interact with personnel, recruiting, and program philosophy in modern college basketball. Our panel explores how some traditionally slower-paced programs lik...

This episode examines how college basketball programs experience and handle regression, exploring both historical patterns and current examples of teams navigating performance declines. Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth break down what separates programs that successfully bounce back from those that struggle to recover, while examining different strategies for mitigating regression's impact. Segment 1: U...

Bob, Mike, and special guest Robie Malcomson discuss how opportunities for athletes to earn NIL and share revenue are transforming the competitive landscape in college basketball. Segment 1: How Does This New Landscape Impact How We See “Amateur” Athletics? Who were Jim Thorpe, Phil Dickens, Sam Gilbert and Curt Flood? Why Do They Matter Here? Why Could We Add Ed O’Bannon To This Group? How Has Hi...

Bob and Mike open with some discussion about (what else?) IU football, as well as Hoosier Hysteria and some IU basketball recruiting. Then it’s down to business for the main segment, which is dedicated to one of the most common buzzwords heard today when watching hoops: “modern” basketball. What exactly does that term? And how are offensive and defensive systems evolving? Segment 1: If Everyone Ru...

It’s October, the month of scares and frights. So what better time to dive into one of the most terrifying subjects in sports: the psyche of fans! Specifically, Bob and Mike analyze fan biases and how they’re evolving. They also discuss the impact of these biases, and the expectations they create, on programs and coaches. Segment 1: Why *Do* Fans See Their Program As “The Unicorn” in a Field of Pl...

Bob and Mike take a little detour from their typical college basketball deep dives to discuss the most exciting current topic in Indiana sports: college football! They share their own college football stories, look around the college football landscape, and discuss the encouraging beginning to the Curt Cignetti Era. Two videos mentioned during their discussion: 1991 Florida State at Michigan 1979...

Bob, Mike, and special guest Beau Haynes discuss the past, present, and future of the vaunted blue-blood head coaching job. How much have things really changed? Segment 1: What Makes A Program’s Blood Blue? Which program are at the top of the social register and how did they get there? How do their fans and the program set expectations and maintain “standards?” The search for the next Lama, Pop, o...

Bob and Mike look back at last season and trace some highs and lows from different teams that went heavy in the portal to build their rosters. Segment 1: How The Portal Worked Well For Some The Levels of Success In College Basketball (Chart 1) South Carolina North Carolina Segment 2: How It Didn’t Go Well For Some Others Reviewing The Chip Stack Theory Washington Missouri  Segment 3 and...

Bob and Mike are joined by Galen Clavio to reflect on one of the most tumultuous times in the history of Indiana University sports: the final years of the Bob Knight. Segment 1: The End of the Beginning to the Beginning of the End: Closing Out the Breaking Away Years Plaid Jackets to Sweaters, NapTown Rising, and Cowboy Bob Riding Off -- Life in the Mid 80s Moving Past The Brink -- Cracks in the F...

On this edition of Xs & Joes, Bob and Mike discuss a topic of paramount importance to so many college sports programs across the country: history and legacy. How much does it actually matter for present-day winning? Segment 1: How To Define Programs’ Legacies? A Winning Tradition: Past Performance Does Not *Necessarily” Predict Future Results A Program’s Mount Rushmore: The Images That Represe...

On this edition of Xs & Joes, Bob and Mike record an episode they’ve been wanting to record for a while: a deep dive on freshman expectations. Elite-level freshmen arrive on campus with high expectations, but at what level of fairness to them? How much is reasonable to expect from a freshman? That’s the main topic this week. Bob and Mike open with discussion about their summer travels, Tony’s...

On this edition of Xs & Joes, Bob and Mike step back into their wheelhouse: busting myths … or in this episode’s case, maybe killing sacred cows? They open with a wistful goodbye to the Irish Lion and discuss everyone’s most beloved collegiate apparel company. Then it’s time for a frank discussion about the film that helped cement Indiana’s reputation as the basketball state in the minds of so...

On this edition of Xs & Joes, Bob and Mike welcome Coach Adragna to the show. They open with a discussion about how they all met and discuss Tony’s background as a coach. This includes discussion of how Tony proposed to his wife, which any IU fan will be able to appreciate. Then they turn their attention to the strange marriage between coaching and analytics. How should analytics be used to an...

On this edition of Xs & Joes, Bob and Mike turn their attention to the transfer portal. They discuss some misconceptions and myths, how it’s impacting the Sweet Spot, what we’re learning about the best way to balance portal recruiting and high school recruiting, and much more. Segment 1: Why Would a Kid Want to Leave “My School”? Misconceptions and Myths- Things Aren’t Always What They Appear...