Whether it be Indiana basketball alumni or players with no ties to the program, this Assembly Ball team has one mission — Win

When it was announced that Indiana basketball would have a TBT squad, the excitement from Hoosier nation was through the roof as this was a chance for them to see some of their favorite players from past generations put on the candy stripes once again. Players like Yogi Ferrell, Jordan Hulls, Juwan Morgan, Race Thompson, Miller Kopp, and others announcing they would be joining the TBT team only boosted the excitement of the Indiana basketball fans.

In order to fill out a complete roster, professional players outside of the Indiana basketball program were added to help fill the gaps needed for this team to be a complete roster. At first, it was a little odd to think and see players that have no connection to the Indiana program dawn the candy stripes. There was also the question of how these players would coexist. With the majority of this team being former Indiana basketball players, the questions arose about how the non-IU players would adapt to Hoosier Nation.

Through two games in the TBT, the answer to all those questions about the chemistry for Assembly Ball have been answered pretty easily with every player and coach having one mission and goal…..win the entire thing.

“Yeah for me especially, I am just trying to get in the paint and create,” said former Indiana basketball guard Yogi Ferrell after Sunday’s win. “I know guys are going to be in the right spots but you know I got to get in the lane and create. We got a great group of guys that love to share the ball and they feel confident in themselves so it’s actually been pretty easy to create chemistry with these guys.”

“…Just how much Hoosier fans cheer for their team,” Yogi added. “These guys already know what’s at stake for us so they are going to go out and play hard for us.”

The TBT is a different animal and really unlike any type of professional basketball tournament you will ever see. Yes, it can be very college alumni focused, but at the end of the day their are players from all different phases of their basketball career. Some may just be out of college, some may be 10+ years veterans, some may be trying to find themselves after getting bounced out of the NBA. It really is one of the more unique basketball events you will see out there.

Like Yogi mentioned above, luckily Assembly Ball has been able to build quick chemistry on a team that has hardly ever played with another. The best thing about watching this makeshift team is that each player seemingly knows their role and brings a certain element to thee roster.

In the TBT, it all about taking it one game at a time, survive and advancing.

“The TBT is hard,” said Assembly Ball head coach Adam Ross. “You know we came into the first game completely blind. You have really no sense of what you are going to face on the other side…..the key to the tournament is to stack learning moments one on top of the next.”

“This team is as talented of any team we’ve coached in the TBT. We’ve had some great runs in the TBT so there is no reason why this team if we continue to stack like that, there’s no reason why we can’t end up in Philadelphia playing in the final four.”

Game Highlights: Assembly Ball — IU basketball alumni — defeats Men of Mackey in second round of TBT

Hoosier Nation has adopted the outsiders of Assembly Ball, while also maintaining their incredible support for the Indiana basketball alumni

(Photo: The Basketball Tournament)

The $1M prize is the main goal for this Indiana basketball themed TBT squad, there is no question about that. As a side goal however, at least for the Hoosier alumni, was to give Hoosier Nation another chance to see some of their favorite players from year’s past in an Indiana uniform. That is what makes the TBT so fun is that you get to bring different generations together and see lineups that you never would have thought is imaginable.

The nostalgia seeing guys like Yogi Ferrell, Jordan Hulls, Juwan Morgan, and other represent Indiana basketball is sky high not only for the fans, but for the players as well.

“Man, it’s been pretty fun,” said Yogi Ferrell. “Talking with Jordy (Jordan Hulls) and C-Wat (Christian Watford) just about memories and stuff. Even putting on the candy stripes man, I got chills that first game. If I could do it all over again I would.”

For Assembly Ball head coach Adam Ross, this was sort of a full circle moment in many ways. What most people probably do not realize is that he has been a part of the Indiana basketball from a distance as he was the high school coach of former Hoosier wing, Will Sheehey, and would often make trips to Assembly Hall to watch his former player.

When the opportunity came to coach the first Indiana TBT squad, it was something that he could not pass up on.

“I have been an IU fan since and when this opportunity came up to coach an IU team, even though I am not an alum, I feel like, from a distance, I have been a part of the IU family for a long time,” said Adam Ross. “I have always been welcomed by their previous coaching staffs so it’s been awesome.”

“We’ve been practicing at Cook Hall in Bloomington and IU’s current team is practicing so we get to see those guys a lot. For me, that’s made it a lot of fun because you really get a firsthand look at the IU basketball family all together, several generations of guys.”

“Been in it for 10 minutes. If you are ready to adopt me, I am ready to be adopted.”

Assembly Ball is only 4 wins away from winning the entire 2024 TBT and gaining $1M. If Indiana basketball were to make it to Philidpehia, it would be a chance for Yogi Ferrell to lead a Hoosier squad to yet another championship. This would also be a chance for Yogi to get redemption in Philidpehia, the place where his college basketball career to an emotional end.

A true full circle moment is possibly waiting.

“Yeah, got to get a redemption, man. Try to get the million dollars, man. It’ll be fun, got to get there one game at a time.”

Assembly Ball heads to the Round of 16 and the Butler Regional Final on Tuesday against Eberlein Drive at 7:00 pm ET on FS1.

SEE ALSO: Assembly Ball imposes its will against Men of Mackey as it advances to Round of 16 in TBT

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