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X's and Joe's
Back Home Network
47 episodes
1 week ago

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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Basketball
Sports
RSS
All content for X's and Joe's is the property of Back Home Network and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

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.

Show more...
Basketball
Sports
Episodes (20/47)
X's and Joe's
[45] Bill Murphy Part 1 - The Last Hurrying Hoosiers & The Cardiac Kids
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth welcome IU historian and author Bill Murphy for a deep dive into the legendary 1967 IU football season - the "Cardiac Kids" who gave fans heart attacks every Saturday on their way to the Rose Bowl. Bill's Personal IU Journey Bill Murphy shares unforgettable stories from his youth as an IU superfan in the 1960s, including some decisions that seemed perfectly reasonable at the time. There's the 11-year-old refusing to wear his coat at halftime (mom got blamed for the loss), the 14-year-old challenging Bubba Smith to a fight outside the locker room, and the simple joy of $1 knothole tickets at a Memorial Stadium that looked completely different than it does today. Memorial Stadium and Old Bloomington The evolution of Memorial Stadium from its 1960 opening through the temporary bleachers era, plus what Bloomington looked like before it became a modern college town. The stadium was built to double capacity and prove IU was "a Big Ten team," while married student housing trailers sat where the south end zone parking is now. TV games were rare - maybe one per year if you were lucky - so most fans relied on radio broadcasts with Max Schumacher. John Pont's Revolutionary Offense How Pont's innovative system featuring dual-threat quarterbacks and remarkable player freedom created one of the most entertaining teams in IU history. Harry Gonso at 5'9" ran the option and rolled out to see over linemen, while John Isenbarger's notorious fake punts got him benched mid-game against Michigan - only to be brought back to score the winning touchdown after Gonso pleaded his case. "Punt, John, Punt!" became the rallying cry, and Terry Cole even predicted his own star performance the night before the Purdue game. The Cardiac Kids: Nine Games, Nine Near-Heart Attacks Bill walks through a season where every game came down to the wire, featuring comebacks, fake punts gone wrong (and right), and a fumble on the 4-yard line that saved the season.Down 10-0 to Kentucky, scored twice in the 4th quarter (one called back, scored again anyway)Michigan: Blew 20-0 lead, Isenbarger benched for fake punt, brought back to score winning TDPurdue: Boilermakers on IU 4-yard line, 19-14, roses on the line - then the fumbleOnly blowout all season? Arizona at 42-7The 63-yard punt that sealed the Bucket Game and sent IU to Pasadena The Forgotten 1945 Championship Team A brief detour into the team that might deserve a share of a national title, featuring future MLB and NFL Hall of Famers returning straight from World War II. Bo McMillan had players hitchhiking from Camp Atterbury with discharge papers to make the season, and famously soaked footballs in hotel bathtubs the night before rain games. With Ted Kluszewski, Pete Pihos, and George Taliaferro on one roster, Galen Klaviyo thinks they deserve co-national champion recognition. Part 2 will cover the Rose Bowl game itself and the Branch McCracken basketball transition. On the mics: Bob Moats, Mike Wiemuth, and Bill Murphy 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.
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1 week ago
1 hour 7 minutes 13 seconds

X's and Joe's
[44] The Ohio River Rivalries with special guest Josh Burton
Bob Moats, Mike Wiemuth, and special guest Josh Burton from Everything College Basketball reunite to break down the rekindled border wars between Indiana, Kentucky, and Louisville as the three programs meet over consecutive Saturdays in December. Growing Up in Basketball Country The guys open with personal stories about how geography and family shaped their allegiances in the heartland of college hoops. Josh Burton shares his journey from a Kentucky-loving kid playing College Slam on Sega Genesis while his IU-fan dad looked on, to becoming one of the voices of Everything College Basketball.Josh's dad from Kentucky roots, moved to Indiana, raised UK fansThe "ugly girlfriend" Brian Evans comparisons at the Boys and Girls ClubGeography matters: South of I-64 = Kentucky rival, North = Purdue rivalEconomic migration brought Kentucky fans north decades ago The Golden Age of the Rivalry A walk down memory lane to when these matchups defined college basketball in the Midwest, featuring 50-50 splits at the Hoosier Dome and Freedom Hall that felt more like college football atmosphere.The Dome and Freedom Hall rotating neutral sites with perfect 50-50 ticket splitsBob Knight's late entrances causing entire stadiums to erupt (only 2% could see him)Mike Davis's 2002 incident liquidating 35% of his chip stack in one momentFreedom Hall's designated smoking room and nightmare parking lotThe 2012 Sweet Sixteen in Atlanta: IU-UK reunion on the way to UK's title The Modern Coaches: New Chapter, Same Synchronicity All three programs now feature modern, uptempo coaches running similar five-out systems after years of divergent philosophies. The synchronicity creates potential for recruiting battles and on-court drama not seen since the mid-eighties.Kenny Payne: Possibly the worst major hire in 30 years (lost exhibition games to start)Pat Kelsey's beautiful flare screen offense at Louisville proving doubters wrongMark Pope's year-one home run at Kentucky vs. year-two injury crisisLamar Wilkerson recruitment: DeVries beats Pope for the elite shooter UK desperately needsFirst time since mid-eighties all three programs are nationally relevant together Breaking Down IU vs. Louisville The hosts dissect Saturday's Indianapolis matchup with tactical depth, focusing on Louisville's 36 three-point attempts per game and IU's rebounding challenges.Sananda Fru as the X-factor: relentless rebounder who gets all his points within three feetWhy this is a Sam Alexis day, not Reed Bailey dayMikel Brown vs. Conerway/Enright: Can IU frustrate the talented but sometimes immature freshman?Long rebounds from 36 three-point attempts require boxing out 3-4 feet beyond the rimFoul trouble could doom IU's seven-man rotation against Louisville's 10-deep bench Kentucky's Crisis and the UK-IU Preview Josh Burton provides honest analysis of Kentucky's early-season struggles, from the Louisville loss to getting boat-raced by Michigan State and North Carolina, while explaining why Pope isn't on the hot seat despite fan outrage.Three marquee losses in three different ways: quit when opponents throw haymakersThe connectivity problem: Do these players even like each other?How injuries have devastated Pope's shooting-based systemWhy 50% of Big Blue Nation needs to "shut the hell up" on TwitterStill 15th in KenPom at 5-3 with incredibly difficult schedule The weekend ahead: IU-Louisville at 2:15pm in Indianapolis, followed by IU-Ohio State Big Ten Championship at 8:17pm - potentially the craziest IU sports weekend ever. On the mics: Bob Moats, Mike Wiemuth, and Josh Burton (Everything College Basketball) 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.
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1 month ago
2 hours 55 seconds

X's and Joe's
[43] CBB Moneyball and The Omar Cooper Parallel
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth break down how player compensation is forcing coaches and programs to think like Billy Beane, analyzing roster construction through the lens of buying wins instead of just buying players. IU's Hot Start & The Omar Cooper Parallel The guys open celebrating IU's 4-0 start under Darian DeVries while drawing parallels between miracle plays in football and basketball. Finding ways to win isn't just about spectacular moments—it's about putting yourself in position through smart aggregation of talent and data. • Omar Cooper's impossible catch as a "games of inches" lesson • IU rising in metrics by beating predictors • Conerway's passing, Wilkerson's elite shooting on display • Penn State fans still bewildered in grocery stores The Moneyball Framework for College Basketball Mike and Bob lay out how the classic "Moneyball" approach translates to today's NIL-driven college basketball landscape, where buying wins through buying points is the new reality. • The key quote: "Your goal shouldn't be to buy players. Your goal should be to buy wins." • One-seed teams need roughly 540+ point margin over opponents for the season • Box Plus Minus (BPM) as the "on-base percentage" of basketball • IU's last 500+ point variance seasons: 2013, 1993, 1992, 1990 Finding Undervalued Talent The hosts identify the statistical thresholds and player types that offer the best return on investment in the portal and recruiting landscape. • Players with 5.0+ BPM at mid-majors show "stickiness" when jumping to Power Five • Elite one-seed starters average 8.7 BPM (roughly Yogi Ferrell level or better) • 85% of one-seed starters have 6.0+ BPM • The "Lance Jones bump" - finding best player on mediocre team who can elevate • Target the Mountain West, A-10, and top mid-majors for 5+ BPM players The Money Problem: Who's Overpaying? Bob and Mike examine which programs are spending wisely versus which are trapped by their own wealth, using real scenarios to show how compensation complicates roster building. • Example: $3M five-star with 3.0 BPM vs. $1.7M A-10 POY with 6.8 BPM • The "hammer looking for nails" problem when you have too much money • Ohio State's Anthony Thompson situation: Overspend or necessary premium? • Why 50% of one-seed starters now come from the portal • BYU reportedly paying AJ Dybantsa $5-7M - only 3-5 schools can compete The New Three-Dimensional Reality The compensation era adds a third dimension to roster construction that constrains even wealthy programs and creates new strategic challenges. • Pre-NIL: Two-dimensional (program fit + player development) • Post-NIL: Three-dimensional (add budget constraints) • Top NIL programs creating their own pressure traps • Market correction concerns: "Is that guy still worth $7M after a 25% correction?" • Underground economy going public usually lowers prices—this did the opposite Coming up: A rivalry show with Everything College Basketball's Josh and Peyton Burton (UK and UL fans), plus an extended film room session with Tony Adragna and Brian Tonsoni breaking down 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.
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1 month ago
1 hour 54 minutes 26 seconds

X's and Joe's
[42] Coaching Chip Stacks - 2025-26 Season Status Check
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth assess which college basketball coaches are playing with house money and which are one bad loss away from the unemployment line in today's volatile college hoops landscape. IU's Dominant Debut The Hoosiers opened the Darian DeVries era with a statement win, completely eliminating mid-range jumpers in favor of modern offense. Bob breaks down film showing the conceptual principles that make this system fundamentally different from the past decade. • Zero mid-range jumpers: the long two is officially dead at IU • Tucker DeVries diving into opponent's bench, Conway's elite passing • Rose 9 spots in KenPom after demolishing Alabama A&M The Chip Stack Framework Bob and Mike introduce their coaching evaluation model that replaces the outdated "four-year plan." In the portal era, coaches are playing Texas Hold'em, not building dynasties. • Why the 4-year grace period is dead - it's all-in poker now • The five tiers of success and where programs expect to be • The "Earl Bruce Syndrome" - stuck at 20 wins with no upside Coaches in Serious Danger Four high-profile coaches face make-or-break seasons with dwindling chip stacks. From Carolina to Rutgers to Kansas State, these are the hot seats getting hotter by the day. • Hubert Davis at UNC: From Final Four to 15-20, lost key transfers • Steve Pikiell at Rutgers: The five-star experiment backfired badly • Jerome Tang at Kansas State: Can't recapture year-one magic • John Calipari at Arkansas: The perpetual talent churn continues On Thin Ice & High Stakes The guys examine coaches ranging from Butler's Thad Matta (stabilization hire gone stale) to Vanderbilt's Mark Byington (skipping levels on the way up). Plus, why football budgets are now eating basketball money at dual-sport schools. • Micah Shrewsbury's boring Notre Dame after Penn State's offensive genius • Porter Moser trapped in the Earl Bruce 20-win zone • Mark Byington's high-risk, high-reward Vanderbilt entertainment • Why midseason firings are the new normal Coming up: A Moneyball conversation about roster construction in the NIL era and a potential IU-Kentucky-Louisville preview with Everything College Basketball. On the mics: Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth 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.
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2 months ago
1 hour 47 minutes 11 seconds

X's and Joe's
[41] 2025-26 College Basketball Preview
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are back to preview the 2025-26 college basketball season, diving deep into IU's transformed roster under first-year coach Darian DeVries and analyzing the landscape of college hoops in the NIL era. Even with football still riding high in Bloomington, it's time to turn attention to the hardwood. Segment 1: The Big Money Conversation The hosts discuss the seismic shifts in recruiting and compensation:Cignetti's $3 million raise and IU football's impact on the athletic departmentOhio State reportedly paying Anthony Thompson $3+ million while their head coach makes $2.5 millionWhy IU's "whiff" on Thompson was actually smart strategyThe psychology of the hot seat driving desperate roster decisions Segment 2: Indiana Basketball Deep Dive - The DeVries System Bob and Mike break down what makes DeVries' approach fundamentally different: Offensive EvolutionPick-and-roll revolution with multiple skilled ball handlers creating unpredictabilityScreener deception making the screener a weapon againThe passing upgrade: Two players with 30%+ assist rates (first time in 15 years)Conceptual principles vs. rigid sets from the past decadeThe Defense QuestionWest Virginia's top-20 defense proves DeVries can scheme effectivelyTucker DeVries as a "free safety" goading turnoversWhy size concerns about IU's bigs might be overblownRoster ConstructionExperience over elite talent: The sweet spot model in actionTeam chemistry from players who've already played togetherTranslatable skills from mid-majors to high-majors Segment 3: Big Ten and National LandscapePurdue: Highest floor in the country but ceiling questions remain with Braden Smith's penetration limitationsHouston: Kelvin Sampson's shocking three five-star haul after landing just two in 17 yearsMichigan: Portal royalty additions but can Elliot Cadeau finally live up to his potential?Kentucky & Louisville: Pope's spending spree vs. Pat Kelsey's three-point shooting arsenal that could set recordsIllinois: "The Belgrade of the Corn Belt" with multiple Balkan players including both Visic brothersIowa & Minnesota: The Battle of the Drake Boys - seven former Drake players split between IU and Iowa as the Big Ten moves away from traditional Painter/Izzo/Bo Ryan models Segment 4: The Clarity Problem - NIL Era QuestionsBig schools now poaching from each other (70% to 30% flip in three years)The $12-15 million championship roster questionSweet spot vs. superstar models after Florida's unconventional title runEconomic limits forcing strategic choices even at major programs Bob and Mike promise more Moneyball conversations about roster construction, an upcoming chat with author William Murphy about IU basketball history, and continued analysis as DeVries' system meets Big Ten competition. On the mics: Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth This episode brought to you by the Back Home Network. Check out all BHN content on YouTube and backhomenetwork.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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2 months ago
1 hour 54 minutes 34 seconds

X's and Joe's
[40] Data v Drama -- A View of Modern Recruiting w/ Stephen Ragsdale
X's and Joe's Episode 40: Data vs Drama - A View of Modern Recruiting Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth welcome special guest Stephen Ragsdale, creator of IURecruiting.com, for a deep dive into how data-driven analysis can cut through the emotional chaos of following college basketball recruiting. Meet Stephen Ragsdale and IURecruiting.com [00:00-17:00] Stephen introduces himself as a third-generation IU fan who turned his Excel spreadsheet tracking into a comprehensive recruiting website. His journey from casual follower to creator of IURecruiting.com stemmed from wanting better tools to understand the recruiting process. The conversation touches on early season optimism around IU basketball, with Trent Sisley's viral shot from above Five Guys on Kirkwood symbolizing a new era of offensive philosophy under Darren DeVries. The Recruiting Bingo Card [17:00-30:00] Mike unveils his famous "Recruiting Miss Bingo Card" - a collection of predictable fan responses that appear on message boards after every recruiting loss. Classics include "We don't want him anyway," "This just proves we don't cheat," and "I only want kids who want to play for IU." The group discusses how these responses transcend fanbases, with Stephen noting Purdue fans' fixation on the cheating angle and Notre Dame supporters emphasizing academic standards. The card highlights how fans often rationalize losses by suggesting the coach nearly made a catastrophic mistake, but thankfully the recruit had the sense to go elsewhere. The Recruiting Funnel Framework [30:00-45:00] Mike introduces the corporate HR recruiting funnel model adapted for college basketball. Using Kansas's 2019 recruitment of Jalen Wilson as a case study, he demonstrates how successful programs move from many offers (10) to fewer official visits (3) to one commitment. The concept of "traction" becomes crucial - can you get elite kids interested enough to visit? Stephen shares how this framework was eye-opening for him, shifting his perspective from Mike Woodson's "fall in love with one target" approach to understanding roster building as a numbers game requiring multiple irons in the fire. IURecruiting.com Deep Dive [45:00-75:00] Stephen walks through his website's functionality, showing how it tracks offers, visits, and commitments across multiple recruiting classes and positions. The tool includes funnel comparisons with Kentucky, Kansas, and Arkansas - three programs with distinctly different recruiting philosophies. Key insights emerge about IU's 2026 recruiting: • Strong conversion rates at center position (3 visits from 6 offers) • Limited point guard targeting mirroring industry-wide trends toward portal guards • Critical Anthony Thompson recruitment coming down to IU vs Ohio State • The site reveals patterns that individual recruit tracking misses The discussion highlights how Bill Self casts the widest net with offers while someone like Coach K was more selective, and how understanding these different approaches helps contextualize IU's strategy. The Modern Recruiting Landscape [75:00-End] The group examines how recruiting has fundamentally changed with the portal era. Key observations: • Elite programs like Florida, Louisville, and Michigan now build rosters with 1-2 elite high school players and multiple high-end portal transfers • Point guard positions especially skew toward experienced portal additions rather than 18-year-old freshmen • International recruiting (IU's two Yugoslav players) represents another talent stream • The "win first, then recruit" fallacy gets debunked - you need elite talent to win, not vice versa Mike provides critical context about the Moneyball aspect of NIL: five-star freshmen rarely saturate winning metrics like Box Plus Minus. Only four five-stars made the top 50 nationally in BPM last season (Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel, and VJ Edgecombe). The sweet spot kids and elite transfers dominate those leaderboards, suggesting programs should be more strategic about where they invest NIL dollars. The episode concludes with cautious optimism about DeVries's early recruiting indicators and why the Anthony Thompson recruitment looms as a key test. On the mics: Bob Moats, Mike Wiemuth, and special guest Stephen Ragsdale See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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3 months ago
1 hour 27 minutes 30 seconds

X's and Joe's
[39] The Vibes Show
As IU football has reached heights not seen in generations, so too has the mood of the IU fanbase. Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth sit down with Ryan Phillips to discuss the change in vibes experienced by fans of the long suffering Hoosier program. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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3 months ago
1 hour 1 minute 19 seconds

X's and Joe's
[38] Is IU Football For Real? Hoosier Surge + The North–South Culture War
IU football just went from “pinch me” to “prove it.” Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth sit down with Galen Clavio to unpack the Hoosiers’ rapid rise—how it happened, what it means, and how a long-suffering fanbase should handle success. Then we zoom out: the decades-old cultural tug-of-war between the North and South and how it fuels the Big Ten vs. SEC battle for the soul of college football. What you’ll hear “Was it real?”—reliving last season and why fans should savor this run, not fear it. How IU’s surge compressed the “honeymoon” timeline and turbocharged recruiting in Year 2. The North vs. South culture clash: narratives, talent pipelines, and why media/TV incentives shape the conversation. Chapters (approx.) 00:00 Cold open 11:30 “Was it real?” + savoring the moment 23:45 Recruiting & the accelerated timeline 49:50 Big Ten vs. SEC culture war 1:19:05 TV money, media narratives, and power dynamics About the show Hosted by Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth, X’s & Joe’s blends data, history, and a little Hoosier heart. Today’s guest: Galen Clavio. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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4 months ago
1 hour 42 minutes 53 seconds

X's and Joe's
[37] Can You Really Build a Title Contender Using Homegrown Talent?
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth examine the beloved mythology of in-state recruiting, exploring whether building championship teams with local talent is still viable in modern college basketball. Puerto Rico Recap & Recruiting Updates [00:00-15:00] Bob and Mike discuss IU's successful exhibition trip to Puerto Rico, highlighting impressive performances and what the games revealed about the team's offensive potential. They also touch on the busy recruiting landscape, upcoming visits, and how the new coaching staff is filling their recruiting pipeline with diverse targets across multiple positions. The Dorothy Complex [15:00-30:00] Using "The Wizard of Oz" as a framework, Bob and Mike dive into the mythology surrounding in-state recruiting. They identify three distinct versions of the argument:The extreme position: Load up on as many in-state kids as possibleThe moderate approach: Swap in a few three-star locals at the marginsThe observational stance: Frustration over missing elite in-state prospectsThe discussion explores whether kids even want to stay home anymore, given changing family backgrounds and transplant populations. The Numbers Game [30:00-45:00] Mike presents data showing Indiana's changing talent production compared to basketball hotbeds like Georgia and Texas. Key revelations include how Indiana now produces only 2-3 top 100 players annually versus seven in peak years, and the geographic shift of elite talent toward the South and Southwest. The conversation covers population migration, infrastructure changes, and why the "inexhaustible pool" theory no longer holds. Modern Coaching Realities [45:00-60:00] Bob examines what coaches actually consider when balancing in-state versus national recruiting, using Matt Painter's Purdue model as a case study. Topics include:System-based recruiting versus talent acquisitionThe "who can you get" factor in roster constructionHow the transfer portal changes long-term planningWhy relationships with local coaches still matterChampionship Blueprints [60:00-75:00] Analysis of national championship rosters reveals that 85% of starters over the past 25 years were from out-of-state. Even programs in talent-rich areas like Virginia had zero in-state starters on their title team. The discussion examines whether building around local talent is mathematically feasible for championship contention. Indiana's Path Forward [75:00-End] Bob and Mike conclude with strategies for maintaining in-state connections while pursuing elite talent nationally. Topics include using walk-on programs strategically, staying visible in local communities, and why the current coaching staff's diverse recruiting approach makes sense for IU's championship aspirations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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4 months ago
1 hour 33 minutes 52 seconds

X's and Joe's
[36] One Fleeting Moment - Why The B1G Hasn't Won It All Since the Clinton Administration
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are joined by Scott Caulfield of Crimson Cast to examine the Big Ten's championship drought, exploring why the conference has failed to produce an NCAA basketball champion since Michigan in 1989. Main Topics Scott's Origin Story & Bloomington Memories [00:00-15:00] Scott shares his unlikely journey from New York City to small-town Bloomington and the formative experiences of growing up around IU's campus. Stories include legendary arcade haunts, meeting Galen at the campus radio station, and surviving Bob Knight's actual college class - complete with unforgettable encounters that reveal Knight's intimidating presence up close. One Shining Moment Obsession [15:00-30:00] Scott reveals his decades-long ritual of recording and analyzing every One Shining Moment video since the early 1990s. The conversation explores: • Why this montage is unique in all of sports • How production values have evolved over the years • What the footage reveals about which conferences actually matter in March • The painful reality of Big Ten representation in recent years The Numbers Don't Lie [30:00-45:00] A data deep-dive into Big Ten tournament performance since 1987 reveals a troubling pattern of near-misses and missed opportunities. The discussion examines whether the conference's multiple championship game appearances represent bad luck or something more systemic about Big Ten basketball. Coaching & Conference Leadership [45:00-60:00] Questions about the Big Ten's coaching hierarchy and whether the conference has the leadership to compete with other major conferences. Topics include: • Tom Izzo's role as unofficial conference dean • Resistance to modern changes like NIL and transfer portal • How other conferences are embracing younger, more adaptable coaches • Whether the Big Ten needs a changing of the guard The Talent Gap [60:00-75:00] Eye-opening recruiting data reveals stark differences between Big Ten rosters and championship-caliber teams from other conferences. The analysis covers geographic talent distribution, position-specific recruiting challenges, and why the conference continues to lose homegrown stars to programs outside the Midwest. Indiana's Championship Window [75:00-End] Scott makes the case for why Indiana might be uniquely positioned to break the Big Ten's championship drought. The conversation covers the program's potential advantages in the modern college basketball landscape and whether IU can finally give Big Ten fans something to celebrate in One Shining Moment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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4 months ago
1 hour 45 minutes 44 seconds

X's and Joe's
[35] Ask Us Anything
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth field listener questions on a range of sports and non-sports topics to fill the summer dead period in college basketball, covering everything from bison merchandise to movie recommendations. Main Topics Summer Check-ins & Countdown Clock [00:00-15:00] Bob and Mike catch up on summer travels - Bennett's first beach trip and chocolate-fueled Hershey Park adventures. Mike reveals they're officially under 30 days until college football kickoff. They also plug Perry Metz's YouTube channel featuring digitized classic media interviews from the 70s and 80s. Bison Merchandise & Black Uniform Debate [15:00-25:00] Questions about the bison costume unveiling (August 30th against Old Dominion) and Homefield Apparel's early merchandise drop. The conversation shifts to IU's relationship with black uniforms, including memories of the infamous 1997 disaster against Kentucky and why black works for both traditionalists and recruits. Tony's Coaching Questions [25:00-45:00] Jokes about Tony Adragna’s "massive NIL resources" at Greenwood Christian Academy lead to discussions about championship expectations. Questions about whether recruits automatically get ranking boosts after committing to major programs spark analysis of causation vs. correlation in recruiting rankings. IU Roster Deep Dive [45:00-65:00] Detailed breakdown of how IU's wing rotation might work with multiple versatile players. Discussion covers why the program didn't pursue another traditional center more aggressively, examining DeVries' offensive philosophy and the constraints of roster building in the portal era. Basketball Philosophy Questions [65:00-85:00] Debates over NCAA tournament expansion and whether Bob Knight's motion offense could work in the modern game. Topics include shot clock constraints, the evolution of dribble penetration, and how defensive adjustments have changed offensive spacing. Movies & Random Fun [85:00-End] The episode lightens up with Bob and Mike's top 10 films since 2000, discussions of timeless movies, and personal questions about technology predictions. Things get silly with dream pet choices - Bob wants a monkey butler while Mike strategically picks a red panda to score marital points. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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5 months ago
2 hours 1 minute 26 seconds

X's and Joe's
[34] Negative Recruiting -- Does It Really Work?
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth dive deep into the shadowy world of negative recruiting in college basketball, exploring the tactics, effectiveness, and ethics of programs steering players away from rival schools.
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5 months ago
1 hour 29 minutes 35 seconds

X's and Joe's
[33] Rally Behind The Bison (with Galen Clavio and Cooper Tinsley)
Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are joined by Dr. Galen Clavio and former IU Student Body President Cooper Tinsley to explore how the bison mascot made its return to Indiana University.
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6 months ago
1 hour 4 minutes 11 seconds

X's and Joe's
[32] The Mid-Major Purge
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.
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7 months ago
1 hour 35 minutes 53 seconds

X's and Joe's
[31] Portal Mania
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.
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8 months ago
1 hour 56 minutes 48 seconds

X's and Joe's
[30] How the Changing Landscape of College Basketball is Impacting March Madness with Andy Bottoms
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.
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8 months ago
1 hour 48 minutes 8 seconds

X's and Joe's
[29] A Requiem for Woodson - A Cautionary Tale in Coaching Hires
Bob & Mike are joined by Josh Burton of Everything College Basketball to discuss how Mike Woodson's departure represents a cautionary tale about hiring NBA coaches without college coaching experience.
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9 months ago
1 hour 58 minutes 3 seconds

X's and Joe's
[28] Analyzing the Darian DeVries Hire at Indiana
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
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9 months ago
59 minutes 11 seconds

X's and Joe's
[27] Season in Review: The SEC's Dominance and CBB's New Landscape
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.
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9 months ago
1 hour 57 minutes 55 seconds

X's and Joe's
[26] Coaching Searches: What To Expect When You're Expecting a New Coach
Bob and Mike welcome Ryan Phillips to discuss coaching search dynamics in college basketball, particularly focusing on Indiana’s current situation.
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10 months ago
1 hour 51 minutes 44 seconds

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.