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by Back Home Network
X's and Joe's, part of the Back Home Network, is a podcast that lets you eavesdrop on an ongoing, 25-year conversation between two friends and Indiana University grads who have an unusual passion for exploring the formula for winning in today’s modern college basketball.Hosted by Bob Moats (cbobmoats) and Mike Wiemuth (iu-in-philly), this show examines trends in recruiting, metrics, strategy, and coaching -- with an emphasis on debunking myths and challenging popular assumptions.And while Bob and Mike's rooting interests may lie with the Hoosiers, this show takes an expansive view of the college basketball landscape beyond just Bloomington. In other words, it's a show for ALL serious college hoops fans who truly appreciate the nuances of the sport.
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- 1 weeks ago1h 33m
[63] IU Basketball Fan Expectations (with Chad Schwartzkopf)
As the offseason rolls on, Bob and Mike are joined by Hoosier Morning After host Chad Schwartzkopf for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with soccer and the World Cup before diving into the ever-present question surrounding Indiana basketball: what should fans realistically expect from Darren DeVries and this new era of IU hoops?The discussion explores the balance between optimism and caution, how football's success has changed the atmosphere around Bloomington, and which signs fans should be watching for as another highly anticipated season approaches.Meet Chad Schwartzkopf: The Hoosier Morning After host shares his IU roots, the story behind his daily podcast, and why staying connected to Bloomington still matters from North Carolina.From the Pitch to the Hardwood: A lively detour into the World Cup, soccer culture, and how the global game continues to grow among IU fans and families.Defining Success in Year Two: What should fans be looking for beyond wins and losses? The crew discusses the measurable signs that Indiana may finally be building something sustainable.Roster Construction Under the Microscope: How much better does this team fit Darren DeVries' vision, and which additions have quietly changed the outlook heading into the season?Summer Takeaways (Without Overreacting): The guys debate what can—and can't—be learned from offseason games, player development, and early glimpses of IU's newcomers.The Football Effect: Has Curt Cignetti's success changed expectations for Indiana basketball, or has it simply bought the program some breathing room?Patience vs. Pressure: The conversation closes with an examination of IU's unique fan base, the desire for continuity, and whether the path back to national relevance looks different in 2026 than it did a decade ago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 3 weeks ago1h 15m
[62] The Twilight of the NCAA (with Galen Clavio)
In this episode of Xs and Joes, Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth welcome Galen Clavio for a wide-ranging discussion about the NCAA's uncertain future. From tournament expansion to NIL, governance, and amateurism, the conversation explores some of the biggest questions facing college athletics—and why there may not be easy answers.Catching Up on the SummerBefore diving into the main topic, the guys touch on a few offseason storylines.Updates on IU football and basketball as summer rolls alongWhat to watch for in the coming weeksA few thoughts on where the Back Home Network is headed this fallIs the NCAA Still Built for Today's Game?The heart of the episode centers on a simple but fascinating question: what exactly is the NCAA supposed to be in 2026?Why the organization's original mission looks very different todayA look back at how college athletics arrived at this momentWhether the NCAA can still govern the modern landscapeAn entertaining historical comparison you probably won't see comingTournament Expansion and the Bigger PictureThe recent talk of expanding the NCAA Tournament sparks one of the episode's most interesting conversations.Is expansion solving the right problem?What questions should be asked before adding more teams?How expansion fits into the NCAA's larger challengesA spirited debate that goes beyond simple "for" or "against" argumentsWhere Does College Sports Go From Here?The discussion closes by looking ahead.How NIL and the transfer portal continue changing the coaching professionWhether college sports needs an entirely new governance modelWhat today's environment means for coaches, schools, and fansA few predictions about where things could be headed next See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Jun 23, 20261h 25m
[61] Where Have All the Character Coaches Gone?
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are joined by Scott Caulfield for a fun and thought-provoking discussion about the evolution of college basketball coaching. Looking back at some of the sport's most memorable personalities, the guys explore why coaching icons once loomed so large over the game—and why today's coaches often feel very different.The Golden Age of Coaching PersonalitiesThe conversation begins with a trip down memory lane as Bob, Mike, and Scott revisit some of the unforgettable characters who once dominated college basketball.Why coaches like Bob Knight, Jim Valvano, John Thompson, Jerry Tarkanian, Lou Carnesecca, and Rollie Massimino became household namesThe quirks, stories, and larger-than-life personalities that made coaches stars in their own rightHow many of these coaches became synonymous with their programs and even their conferencesWhich legendary coaches would make the best dinner companionsAlong the way, the guys share plenty of stories, laughs, and memories from college basketball's colorful past.Why Today's Coaches Feel DifferentThe discussion then turns to the modern game and why today's coaches often seem more corporate, measured, and interchangeable.Topics include:The "nerdification" and professionalization of coachingHow media scrutiny, social media, and 24/7 coverage have changed coaching behaviorWhy modern coaches often look more like executives than old-school basketball lifersThe impact of shorter coaching tenures and increased job movementThe group also debates whether the sport has simply changed—or whether we've lost something valuable along the way.NIL, Realignment, and the New Coaching RealityAs the conversation evolves, Bob, Mike, and Scott examine how NIL, the transfer portal, and the changing economics of college sports have fundamentally altered the coaching profession.Why college coaching may now be more difficult than NBA coachingHow roster management and fundraising have reshaped the head coach's jobWhether today's coaches are being hired primarily to win games rather than build programs and young menWhy the modern environment may discourage the kind of eccentric personalities that once thrived in the sportThe guys also discuss Dusty May's departure for the NBA and what it says about the future of college basketball coaching.Is There Room for Characters to Return?The episode closes with a fascinating discussion about whether coaching personalities could eventually make a comeback.Could larger support staffs and general managers eventually free coaches to simply coach again? Or has college basketball permanently moved into a more corporate era?It's a thoughtful conversation about leadership, culture, nostalgia, and where the sport may be headed next.Bottom line: This episode is equal parts basketball history, cultural analysis, and old-school storytelling as Bob, Mike, and Scott explore why college basketball once felt full of unforgettable characters—and whether those days are truly gone for good.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Jun 2, 20261h 19m
[60] Indy 500 Weekend, Curt Cignetti, and the State of College Sports
The show opens with a look back at an unforgettable Indy 500 and some thoughts on why events like that become part of Indiana's identity.• Why this year's race was one of the most memorable in recent years• Curt Cignetti's comments on the future of college athletics• The growing pressure on college sports to figure out NIL and governanceIs Indiana's Roster Actually Better?This is where the basketball discussion really gets rolling.• Why the guys think IU largely accomplished what it needed to in the portal• The additions that could have the biggest impact next season• How Marcus Burton changes the equation offensively• What makes this roster feel different from recent IU teamsThere's also a deeper conversation about spacing, shot creation, offensive rebounding, and why this team may have more answers when games get tight.How Much Should Fans Trust the Hype?Preseason rankings are starting to appear, and Indiana is showing up in some interesting places.• What the early projections are saying about IU• Why portal rankings are harder to evaluate than recruiting rankings• The gap between talent on paper and actual results• What a successful first full season under Darian DeVries would really look likeBottom line:The roster looks better. The projections are encouraging. But as the guys discuss throughout the episode, the real question isn't whether Indiana won the offseason—it's whether all of these pieces can come together once the games start.This episode brought to you by the Back Home Network and Homefield Apparel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Apr 24, 20261h 44m
[58] Why Are IU Fans So Angry?
In this episode of Xs and Joes, Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth dig into a topic many Indiana fans can feel but struggle to explain: why so much frustration around IU basketball now feels deeper than just wins and losses. Using recent reactions, historical context, and a few memorable pop-culture references, they explore how decades of unmet expectations have shaped the current mood around the program.Why IU Fans Are So AngryThe conversation starts with the obvious question—and goes well beyond the surface.Why this frustration feels more like exhaustion than outrageHow years of near-misses, resets, and false starts compound over timeThe difference between a disappointed fan base and a burned-out oneWhy anger often shows up when expectations still existThe Weight of Three DecadesIndiana’s history matters—but so does everything since.The guys look at how few truly memorable seasons IU has had in the modern era, and why long stretches of mediocrity hit differently at a program with this much tradition.How optimism slowly erodesWhy “just be patient” lands differently now than it once didDusty May, Braden Smith, and the Ones That Got AwayRecent tournament storylines reopened old wounds.The episode explores why certain names trigger such strong reactions from IU fans—and why those reactions are often about more than one player or one coach.Can Darian DeVries Change the Mood?There’s real momentum from the portal haul, but skepticism remains.Why this offseason has created genuine intrigueWhat still has to happen before fans fully buy inHow year two could shift the entire tone around the programThis Isn’t Just an Indiana ProblemIU may be unique in some ways—but not in this one.The discussion branches into Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, Nebraska, and other fan bases dealing with the same collision of history, money, and modern expectations.Bottom line: This episode is about more than fan anger. It’s about what happens when a proud program goes too long without giving people a reason to believe—and what it will take to earn that belief back.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Mar 27, 20261h 1m
[56] 2026 NCAA Bracket with Andy Bottoms
In this episode of Xs and Joes, Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are joined by Andy Bottoms to unpack the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket, the selection process, and what it all reveals about where college basketball is headed next. Bracketology Reality CheckThe guys open with Andy reflecting on another Selection Sunday—and why even strong bracket projections can still “grade out” poorly.Why bracketology success doesn’t always match leaderboard resultsThe surprising disconnect between predictive accuracy and final rankingsA tongue-in-cheek case for “re-scoring” brackets based on tournament outcomesEarly hints that this year’s committee may have valued things differently than expectedCommittee Philosophy & ProcessA deeper dive into how the selection committee actually operates—and where subjectivity still sneaks in.Whether the committee truly follows a strict process or has hidden preferencesWhere bias might show up (and where it likely doesn’t)Why controversial matchups are usually dictated by rules—not conspiracyThe one area of the bracket where human judgment still matters mostWhat the Committee Really Values NowThis is where things get interesting—and where Andy outlines a subtle but important shift.The growing importance of “wins above bubble” in getting selectedWhy seeding may now lean more on predictive metrics like KenPomCase studies that highlight the tension between results and efficiencyA key question: Are quality wins losing influence in favor of efficiency metrics?Mid-Majors, Scheduling, and the System ProblemA fascinating conversation about the structural challenges facing non–power conference teams.The scheduling paradox: no one wants to play you… but you’re punished if you don’tWhy some programs embrace tough non-conference games—and others avoid themHow newer metrics may actually help mid-majors get a fair shotThe hidden tradeoffs every program faces when building a scheduleTournament Takeaways (So Far)After the first weekend, the bracket has been relatively calm—but that might be a feature, not a bug.Why there were fewer shocking upsets than usualThe one result that did stand out—and why it happenedHow style-of-play mismatches can still flip gamesA bigger-picture insight about how the tournament may be evolvingThe Future of BracketologyThe episode closes with a thought-provoking look ahead.Could bracketology eventually become fully algorithm-driven?What we’d gain in accuracy—and lose in dramaThe tension between data-driven decisions and human nuanceWhy the future might shift the drama from Selection Sunday to the games themselvesBottom line:This episode isn’t just about this bracket—it’s about how the entire system is evolving. And whether we’re ready for a world where the madness is a little less mysterious… and a lot more calculated.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Feb 20, 20261h 3m
[53] What Is Darian DeVries Running? (with Tony Adragna & Brian Tonsoni)
Indiana basketball fans have spent the season trying to figure out exactly what Darian DeVries’ offense looks like — and this episode dives deep into the answer. Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth welcome Brian Tonsoni and Tony Adragna for a coach-level breakdown of IU’s evolving offensive concepts, player development trends, and why the program’s foundation may already be stronger than the record suggests.The Evolution of Modern College OffenseThe conversation begins with a wide-angle look at how college basketball offenses have changed in recent years. From continuity ball screens to five-out spacing and hybrid systems blending Princeton, Euro, and modern spread concepts, the group explores how today’s best teams mix old ideas with new spacing principles — and why versatility and skill across positions now matter more than size alone.So… What Is DeVries Actually Running?Rather than a rigid playbook, Indiana’s offense appears built around concepts and reads. The hosts explain how DeVries organizes families of actions that allow players to react to defensive coverage instead of executing robotic sets. Through film examples, they highlight screen-to-screener actions, flare concepts, and counters that evolve throughout games — evidence of intentional design even when possessions don’t end in points.Optionality vs. Robotic BasketballOne recurring theme: IU’s offense feels different because every action contains multiple outcomes. Screeners slip, shooters relocate during drives, and reads develop in real time, making the system harder to scout. The panel contrasts this flexibility with previous IU offenses, noting how modern spacing and simultaneous movement create advantages even without elite downhill creators.Player Development Showing Up in Real TimeLamar Wilkerson becomes a central case study in development within the system. The coaches discuss his progression from cutter to driver to multi-level scorer, emphasizing improved strength, balance, and playing off two feet. The conversation expands to broader roster growth, suggesting several players have improved throughout the season despite structural limitations.The Foundation vs. the Roster CeilingWhile praising scheme and adaptability, the group agrees IU still lacks certain roster pieces — particularly a consistent downhill creator and rim protection. Still, the coaching staff’s adjustments, scouting preparation, and conceptual clarity signal a program building toward sustainability rather than short-term fixes.Modern Shot Selection and the Three-Point DebateThe episode closes with discussion of Indiana’s three-point volume relative to elite offenses nationally. Rather than criticizing shot totals, the hosts frame success around shot quality, spacing, and roster versatility — arguing that improved personnel could unlock the full efficiency of DeVries’ system.This episode brought to you by the Back Home Network and Homefield Apparel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Feb 6, 20261h 47m
[52] Is the Cignetti Hire the GOAT? (with Galen Clavio)
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth welcome Galen Clavio to dive deep into whether Curt Cignetti's hire represents the greatest turnaround in college football history, explore what the numbers actually say, and discuss how a basketball school winning a football national championship changes everything.Still Processing the ImpossibleThe trio opens by admitting they're all still struggling to process what just happened—and it's not just IU fans. Galen notes the rest of college football can't wrap their heads around it either, with people still joking online like "imagine if Indiana was good enough to win a national title—oh wait." They discuss how Cignetti created belief in the fan base through a steady boil rather than a flash fry, and how by the Ohio State game, IU fans had crossed the threshold from "I can't believe we're here" to "I can't wait to kick their butts."The Basketball SituationBefore diving into football greatness, the conversation detours into IU basketball's current state. Galen questions why IU continues struggling to recruit the athletic players that Texas Tech, Alabama, and other programs seem to land consistently—a problem that's plagued multiple coaches. Bob notes the team lacks identity and feels mercurial, though the Purdue win showed what's possible when everything clicks. Mike explains this was always a "proof of concept" roster with a fixed ceiling, and the portal additions next year should stabilize things.Quantifying GreatnessMike breaks out the data comparing Cignetti to legendary coaches:Only five coaches in history won 90%+ of games in their first two years—Barry Switzer, Larry Coker, Ryan Day, Urban Meyer, and Terry BowdenAll of them inherited rosters loaded with NFL players (Coker inherited 34 future NFL players at Miami, including 13 Pro Bowlers)Cignetti inherited maybe a handful at best, then had to build through the portal on a condensed timelineWhen comparing first championship timelines, only Urban Meyer matched Cignetti's two-year mark among modern coachesThe kicker: Cignetti's 61-point variance above IU's 50-year baseline (32% to 93%) has never been done before—not even closeThe Bill Snyder ComparisonMike reveals the closest historical comparison is Bill Snyder at Kansas State, widely considered one of the greatest turnaround artists ever. But even Snyder started 6-16 in his first two years before building to sustained success. The difference? Snyder's best Kansas State teams (like the 11-1 squad in 1998) still fell short in championship moments. Cignetti didn't just match the journey—he completed it by winning the whole thing in year two.The Basketball School ParadoxBob introduces the revelation that IU is the first basketball blue blood to win a football national championship. Not Kentucky, not North Carolina, not Kansas—Indiana. Galen explores what this means for redefining IU's identity, noting that if you asked every 60-year-old alum at Power Five schools to stand if they've seen their team win both a football and basketball title, only three would stand: IU, Florida, and Michigan. The conversation turns philosophical about whether IU can maintain elite football success while not choking off oxygen for basketball and other sports—a question no basketball school has ever had to answer before.The Providence FactorMike emphasizes to IU fans: this is not normal. Most fan bases never see their team win a national championship in their lifetime, and many programs' titles came before their current fans were born. The group discusses how IU's championship breaks all the meters for measuring greatness, with Galen noting there's an open debate about whether this was the greatest college football team of all time—a sentence that would have seemed like satire just two years ago.This episode brought to you by the Back Home Network and Home Field Apparel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
About X's and Joe's
X's and Joe's, part of the Back Home Network, is a podcast that lets you eavesdrop on an ongoing, 25-year conversation between two friends and Indiana University grads who have an unusual passion for exploring the formula for winning in today’s modern college basketball.Hosted by Bob Moats (cbobmoats) and Mike Wiemuth (iu-in-philly), this show examines trends in recruiting, metrics, strategy, and coaching -- with an emphasis on debunking myths and challenging popular assumptions.And while Bob and Mike's rooting interests may lie with the Hoosiers, this show takes an expansive view of the college basketball landscape beyond just Bloomington. In other words, it's a show for ALL serious college hoops fans who truly appreciate the nuances of the sport.
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