Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Curt Cignetti would be a fool to leave Indiana for Penn State

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 3d

You've undoubtedly seen plenty of Curt Cignetti on #PennState coaching hot boards.

Cignetti is a lot of things. Cocky. Savvy. Strategic. A virtuoso. One thing he’s not: a fool.

On #iufb coach knowing he's in better situation now:

If you’ve got Curt Cignetti penciled in for Penn State, there's a tiny problem. Cignetti’s going to be busy, chasing a national title at Indiana.

Week 7 Flop 10: Penn State again, Luke Fickell hits rock bottom and pray for the winless

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Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 4d

Week 7 college football Flop 10:

⚫ Penn State... again
⚫ Luke Fickell is cooked
⚫ Sour birthday for Mike Norvell
⚫Oregon State still winless

... and more!

Things get worse for James Franklin at Penn State, while Luke Fickell says, 'Hold my beer' in 37-0 home loss to Iowa. Ouch. More bad from Week 7...

If Arch Manning can stop the flop, he'd make a great comeback story

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 6d

Arch Manning the first flop in college football history? Sure, if this marked the first season of college football history.

Our society takes glee in seeing people fail, but we also love a good comeback story. You're up, Arch.

Our society takes glee in seeing people fail, but we also love a good comeback story. You're up, Arch Manning.

Inside Bill Belichick's 'first of its kind' escape hatch in North Carolina contract

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 7d

“This is an anomaly and something that is the first of its kind. There is absolutely nothing to compare this to.”

Inside Bill Belichick's 'first of its kind' escape hatch in UNC contract:

Bill Belichick's buyout structure if North Carolina fired him is exceptionally unusual for a college football coaching contract.

Week 6 Flop 10: Bill Belichick embarrassed, Penn State punked, Diego Pavia humbled

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 11d

Bill Belichick and #UNC are 0-3 vs. Power Four opponents, having been outscored 120-33.

On to Cal? More like on to basketball season.

That and more in Week 6's Flop 10:

It was another bad day for Bill Belichick and UNC, but even worse for James Franklin and Penn State.

Don't like where you got drafted? Go back to college. New NIL bill allows it

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 16d

There's some interesting stuff in this #NIL SAFE Act. Here's a big one:

Don't like where you got drafted? Go back to college.

Uniform sponsor patches, NIL international student-athletes, no more streaming exclusive games... that and more in US Senate's SAFE Act.

Six candidates for Arkansas coaching job after Sam Pittman firing

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 17d

Sam Pittman is cooked. So who will be next for #GoHogs #WPS?

An early look at 6 potential candidates:

Arkansas needs a new football coach after the firing of Sam Pittman. Who could be among the candidates for the job? We break down who might be in mix.

Indiana no longer the CFP whipping boy. Hoosiers doing the whipping now. Ask Illinois

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 23d

The team that was easy to overanalyze and criticize in 2024 is back and better than ever in 2025.

This #iufb team is more complete and dangerous than last year’s group, and it’s not sneaking up on anyone.

Curt Cignetti doesn't need rhetoric anymore, he has a full-blown Big Ten heavyweight.

Dabo Swinney's rant becomes pathetic appetizer to Syracuse stomping Clemson

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Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 24d

"While Dabo Swinney shamelessly plays the victim card, Clemson fans have every right to be fuming mad. Swinney's pathetic rant became the appetizer to another lousy performance."

Some 🔥 from Blake Toppmeyer:

Dabo Swinney threatened to go coach somewhere else. Don't threaten Clemson fans with a good time.

Georgia keeps lead, Indiana surges in college football NCAA Re-Rank 1-136 after Week 4

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · 24d

#iufb was the biggest riser in @usatodaysports.usatoday.com's 1-136 re-rank.

A 53-point beatdown of a top-10 team will do that.

Georgia remained No. 1 in the NCAA Re-Rank 1-136 after Week 4 of the college football season with Indiana among the teams surging forward.

Coaches Confidential: PlayStations and cash? How prevalent is recruiting/undue influence in IHSAA football?

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Aug 12

Latest Coaches Confidential via @kyleneddenriep.bsky.social:

How prevalent is recruiting/undue influence in high school football?

"Rampant."

"It’s sick."

"It's very discouraging especially for those committed to doing things the right way."

Next 'Coaches Confidential': 'How prevalent is recruiting/undue influence in high school football? Will it become more rampant with new transfer rule?

Darian DeVries' offensive shift for IU is obvious and a complete 180 from Mike Woodson's

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Aug 8

#iubb's offense will be completely opposite under Darian DeVries than Mike Woodson. That's be design.

@zachosterman.bsky.social explains why:

IU basketball's offense will be completely opposite under Darian DeVries than Mike Woodson. That's be design. Here's why.

Sophie Cunningham on DeWanna Bonner's Fever exit: 'Be professional about it. Send a text to your teammates'

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Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Aug 6

Sophie Cunningham said she didn't have an issue with fans booing DeWanna Bonner, but she did have an issue with how Bonner left #Fever.

Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said she didn't have an issue with fans booing DeWanna Bonner, but she did have an issue with how Bonner left Indiana.

Fever are four games over .500 for first time in 10 years — and still have room to improve

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Aug 2

This stat really puts in perspective how far the #Fever have come:

Indiana is 4 games over .500 for the first time in TEN years!

And there's room for more:

The Fever are 7-2 in their past nine games and with each win, they are putting pressure on teams ahead of them in the WNBA standings.

Tucker DeVries is closest thing IU has to a returning player. How he'll help everyone else catch up

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Reposted by Matt Glenesk

Zach Osterman @zachosterman.bsky.social · Jul 31

Tucker DeVries is the closest thing Indiana has to a returner from last season, and he's done this before. Here's how he helps his father build Indiana into the first season of the Darian DeVries era: www.indystar.com/story/sports... via @indystar #iubb

Tucker DeVries assumes familiar role for IU basketball team processing adjustments he knows well.

NBA power rankings: Eastern Conference reset after injuries, free agency. Where do Pacers stand?

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Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Jul 28

After injuries, trades and free agency moves, the East is wide open. Where does that leave the reigning Eastern Conference champion #Pacers?

@dustindopirak.bsky.social resets the East power rankings:

Injuries to Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard shifted the Earth in the Eastern Conference. Here's how it looks after free agency.

Indy's flurry of MLS activity suddenly went quiet. What's going on?

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Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Jul 28

15 months after the #MLS hubbub began, Indy remains just about where it started: hopeful but lacking the specifics or the actual commitments needed to move forward.

Mid-2024, Indianapolis was abuzz with headline after headline about an MLS pursuit. Then, things went very quiet. Here's what's been happening.

Fever's second half to-do list: Prioritize Caitlin Clark's health, find consistency, play fast

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Jul 22

With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, the mad dash to the #WNBA playoffs begins.

Here's a to-do list for #FeverRising in the second half of the season:

The Fever are halfway through the 2025 season, and it hasn’t gone exactly as they’d hoped. But there's still a lot of time for them to improve.

Injuries, inconsistencies and roster moves: Fever hope for smoother path after 'roller coaster' first half

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Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Jul 21

Their ⭐ has missed nearly half the games.

1 of their marquee signings lasted just 9 games.

There have been more bumps & bruises along the way.

Safe to say first half of season didn't go as #Fever hoped.

More on Indiana's roller coaster first half:

Caitlin Clark has missed 10 games this season with injury, and the Fever have rarely had a full roster to pick from.

A Furphy leap, 3rd PG and final roster spot: What we learned about Pacers in Summer League

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Jul 21

Johnny Furphy can fly.
RayJ Dennis can handle the point.
Kam Jones can grow into role.
Quenton Jackson can be relied on.
Who gets last two-way deal?

@dustindopirak.bsky.social on what we learned from #Pacers Summer League:

Despite a Summer League roster with no first-round picks, there were a few developments that could affect end of this year's roster and Pacers' future

Ranking Pacers' most important players for 2025-26 with Tyrese Haliburton out, Myles Turner gone

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Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Jul 16

Tyrese Haliburton is out. Myles Turner is gone.

So, who are the most important #Pacers for the 2025-26 season?

@dustindopirak.bsky.social ranks them:

Tyrese Haliburton will miss the 2025-26 season and Myles Turner left for the Bucks. We rank the Pacers' most important players for next season.

Teary-eyed Caitlin Clark suffers 4th injury in 3 months. Fever have learned to play without her, may have to again

Matt Glenesk @mattglenesk.bsky.social · Jul 16

Caitlin Clark had never been injured before this season.

Now, she's suffered four injuries in the past three months.

Caitlin Clark left Indiana's win against Connecticut late in the fourth with what looked to be her fourth muscle injury of the season.