Inside Indiana Sports Breakfast with Kent Sterling

Shaq Leonard out for the season after back surgery this morning.  Hoping to be 100% for next year!  

Frank Reich's Indianapolis house was listed for sale Saturday, and had a pending offer later that day.  If Reich is that unhappy here, I'm glad he's gone.  Have to believe his contract prevents him from taking any position this week with the Eagles, but fine by us if he does.

Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino are Adidas NIL Ambassadors for Indiana Basketball. Depending on the cash, that might leave the rest of the Hoosiers a little butt sore!  

Purdue welcomes Marquette to Mackey tonight at 8:30p.  Good luck to the Golden Eagles as they try to stop Zach Edey!

Jeff Saturday feels no need to defend himself against critics, and why should he?  

Colts enjoy the first drama free Monday is several weeks!  

Eagles lose to Commanders, which may send them to Indianapolis angry on Sunday - or maybe their will is broken?  We can hope!  Match-ups will determine the result.  

Indiana women's basketball with a big win, and Butler loses at Penn State because that did not hit shots!

Jeff Saturday is in the center of the arena, so listening to national media hecklers is absurd - he's smart for not doing it!  

Philadelphia Eagles are coming in Indy, and depending upon Monday Night Football, they may still be undefeated!  What has made them great so far this year?  All the stats you would expect!  

Bill Belichick wants to expand replay to the final two minutes - to which I say NO!!!  

Butler plays Penn State and IU women's team is at Tennessee - both tonight!

Saturday and the Colts won yesterday as the defense did a great job late - especially pass break-up by Gilmore and Okereke!  Victory Monday should be savored as we share the good, bad, and ugly of the 25-20 win.  

Bill Cowher chose the wrong hill to defend when he called Saturday's hire "a disgrace."  His endlessly bland analysis is where he's strong.  He should stick to that.

Jeff Saturday is undefeated as a head coach, so maybe Bill Cowher was wrong - the only time in years he's said anything interesting!  

Matt Ryan started and found a way to win for the fourth time with a fourth quarter comeback!  

Jonathan Taylor's 66-yard TD scamper was incredible!

Matt Ryan practiced this week and will be active Sunday as Sam Ehlinger's backup!  

Jonathan Taylor had a good week is is schedule to go too!  Former Bills RB Zack Moss will make debut.  

Shaquille Leonard felt "different" Wednesday, so he is out for Sunday, but the Raiders trump Colts LB woes as Blake Martinez retired from football yesterday after posting 11 tackles Five days ago!  

Renfro and Waller are on IR, so Josh McDaniels has issues of his own!  IU and Purdue are underdogs tomorrow, and Notre Dame is favored by 15 1/2 over NAVY!

Jeff Saturday's first game as Colts coach comes against the Raiders, who had last Sunday's leading tackler retire yesterday! What a week for the Colts - maybe the weirdest in franchise history, and that's saying something!  

Five days ago, Sam Ehlinger was sacked by his own left tackle, and Sunday a guy who has never coached in the pro's or college will lead a roster still in playoff contention!  That's weird!

Indiana beat the brakes off Bethune Cookman last night, and now the fun starts!  

Purdue takes on Austin Peay tonight at Mackey, and high school regionals have awesome matchups!

Parks Frazier will call plays from the booth - says he is aggressive in his own way.  What that means, we will find out in Vegas!  

Shaq Leonard sat out practice, but Jonathan Taylor was full go.  Mo Alie-Cox and Jalani Woods sat too!  

What's the toughest part of this week for Frank Reich?  I'll tell you.  

Indiana must play against the game and not Bethune Cookman or this is an opportunity lost!  

Nike dumping Kyrie Irving is a business decision, not a cancel culture move.

Jeff Saturday may need to coach AND run the ball for the Colts as Taylor and Jackson nurse injuries.  Lot of subplots in this game against the Raiders.  

Quenton Nelson mulls his role in Frank Reich's demise as coach.  

Saturday expresses loyalty to the Colts and Indianapolis in a way I buy into!  

Rick Carlisle's late technical hurts Pacers chance at upset after Mathurin gets buckets!  

Indiana hosts Bethune Cookman tonight as Mike Woodson nets two recruits in the 2023 class!

Jeff Saturday knows who he is, and told his players today.  They liked what they heard.  He told the media too, and when they doubted him, he looked them in the eye and told them again.  

What was learned - Saturday as coach came together very early Monday morning after the Patriots game, is not part of a plan to tank, and Saturday knows might suck as a coach.  Saturday has four days to help has staff get the Colts ready for Vegas.  

Jonathan Taylor - limited today!

Saturday is going to need Reggie Wayne to help get the roster on board with this change in leadership and culture.  Raiders are a perfect opponent for the Colts in Saturday's first week.  

Jim Irsay did nothing wrong by passing over experienced coaches in favor of who he feels is a great leader.  That is the way life works!  

Pacers welcome the Denver Nuggets to Gainbridge Fieldhouse - can Myles Turner get busy in consecutive games?  

Purdue rolls over Milwaukee!  Balance of youth and experience will make them a tough out in the Big 10!

Jeff Saturday has chosen Parks Frazier as the play caller for Sunday, and guess what - he's never done that either!  

Mike Matheny was chosen as a manager without experience by the St. Louis Cardinals, and they went to the playoffs his first four years, including one World Series.  

There is a lot of good to this decision - potentially!

Jeff Saturday has great confidence in his ability to lead, and he should.  Coaching in the NFL is a little different though.  We get to discover whether he can be an NFL head coach right along with him.  

Jim Irsay expressed great confidence in Chris Ballard, but Ballard was still prickly about the media calling out a lack of weapons at receiver.  Normally self assured, last night he looked more like a hostage than a general manager.  

Indiana Butler, and the Pacers got wins last night - all led by their bigs!

This episode is supported by Pristine Auction.  Enter to win an Autographed Jonathan Taylor Jersey AND get $10 Off your first item won!  Use registration code Taylor when you sign up at https://www.pristineauction.com/register.

Frank Reich is going to keep fighting to fix problems, and will likely cause more problems.  Sam Ehlinger is not the only target of blame, but he's one of them.  Offensive line ineptitude led the Colts to fail on all 124 first down conversion, and the Colts and Patriots combined for fewer total yards than in any previous Colts game EVER!  

Hoosiers and Butler open their seasons tonight - and the Pacers host the Pelicans in a quest to reach .500!  

Enter to win an Autographed Jonathan Taylor Jersey AND get $10 Off your first item won!  Use registration code Taylor when you sign up at https://www.pristineauction.com/register.

Colts gained 43 yards on 38 pass plays. Reich and Ehlinger are easy targets for blame, but who on the offense shouldn't be blamed?  

Matt Pryor was replaced by Will Fries, but why did he start?  

The ways this game was embarrassing are endless, but the defense played hard and well - starting with Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner!

Jonathan Taylor needs to trick his ankle into pain free explosiveness for three hours Sunday if the Colts are going to beat the turnover prone Patriots.  

Patriots are very generous with the ball, but like to take it back too.  Bill Belichick just an ordinary coach now.  

Hoosiers beat St. Francis, but Xavier Johnson back to driving fans crazy.  

IU hosts Penn State tomorrow and the payoff for a moneyline bet on Penn State is reasonable!

Jonathan Taylor says he will use "tricks of the trade" to try to be ready Sunday against Patriots.  

Gus Bradley says Shaquille Leonard is improving physically AND in his grasp of the defense.  

Bill Belichick was a genius as long as Tom Brady was his quarterback.  With anyone else - including Mac Jones, not so much.  Can you name the Patriots leading rusher and receiver?    

Indiana Basketball tonight, and the time has come for Xavier Johnson to play for the Hoosiers instead of his own glory.

Ehlinger vs. Zappe follows Manning vs. Brady in Colts - Patriots rivalry?  Bill Belichick mediocre without Brady just as other coaches have been without hall of fame quarterbacks.  

Colts have a history of succeeding with QBs from Tennessee - is the next starter for the Colts another Volunteer?  

Indiana Basketball battles St. Francis tonight at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall behind a pay wall!

Frank Reich's platitudes and bouquets need to stop in favor of the truth.  Good or bad, fans deserve to hear something honest from the coach of their team after the offensive coordinator is fired and a running back is traded without reasonable explanation.  

Truth must be offered or no one will believe a word!  

This "everyone is a leader" nonsense must end, and so should Reich's bromides.  

Jonathan Taylor did not practice and neither did Matt Ryan.  Bill Self has been suspended for something - not sure or Kansas remembers what - but the NCAA's IARP will disband after it remembers!

Jonathan Taylor's ankle needs to be ready with Nyheim Hines now in Buffalo!  Tyquan Lewis going to IR means Kwity Paye coming back would be stellar!  Optimism Wednesday dictate for will play at a high level versus the Patriots!   

Butler won last night!  IU Basketball back at it tomorrow night!  Pacers host the Miami Heat Friday!  

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts saved a few bucks allowing Kyle Schwarber to bounce, and gave Phillies fans someone to love and cheer!

Nyheim Hines traded to the Buffalo Bills for Zach Moss and a conditional 6th round pick.  Hines was expensive given his use this year, and finally the questions about Hines and Jonathan Taylor playing together will cease!  

Earlier today, Frank Reich fired offensive coordinator Marcus Brady.  Reich says firing Brady "was an incredibly hard decision."  But it was a hell of a lot easier than jumping in front of that train himself!

Matt Ryan has a difficult contract and separated shoulder - then why is he being discussed as a trade possibility?  Kenny Moore and Stephon Gilmore have value for a championship contender.  Colts have not made an in-season deal since 2013, but there is always a chance.  

(at 10:35) Pacers lose to the Nets in another fun game to watch.  Myles Turner, who had a -21 last night, says he is not loved at the level he deserves, and would like to be traded to the Lakers!  Myles and I finally agree about something!

Tyquan Lewis tore his other Patellar Tendon yesterday, but Kwity Paye may be ready to come back this week.  Sam Ehlinger is the right starter for now, but can he compete with Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson?  

(at 10:40) Is Chris Ballard the right guy to fix the problems he has either caused or has been unable to fix?  

(@13:09)  Pacers tonight at 7:30p against dysfunctional Nets - on Bally Sports Indiana!  

(@15:38) Auburn needs to know Indiana is going to keep the Tigers from hiring Tom Allen as the coach of the Hoosiers, so don't even bother calling even if you believe he is the answer to your championship dreams!

Ehlinger was decisive, mobile, and accurate.  That was good enough to beat the Commanders, but the defense could not get a stop, so the game came down to a jump ball between Indianapolis native Terry McLaurin and Stephon Gilmore.  

(at 10:47) Hoosiers freshmen Reneau, Hood-Schifino, and Gunn looked ready to compete in Big 10 as the Hoosiers beat Marian.  

(at 13:48) Pacers tonight try to win third straight!  Hopefully, Ball Sports Indiana can allow us to watch Tyrese Haliburton and Ben Mathurin ball!

Sam Ehlinger good enough to win, but the Colts couldn't overcome two lost fumbles.  Tyquan Lewis injury critical in clock management.  Michael Pittman with a good game until that critical drop.  Shaq Leonard with what should have been a game-winning interception.  All in all, a lot of reasons to feel good about Ehlinger.

Hoosiers made their season debut at Assembly Hall against Scott Heady's Marian Knights, and two freshmen were the stars of the show.  Veterans Xavier Johnson and Jordan Geronimo show the good and bad that have thrilled and disappointed IU fans since they arrived in Bloomington.  

Trayce Jackson-Davis and Tamar Bates sat today, but Logan Duncomb was the stat stuffer with the game's only double-double!

Sam Ehlinger will get his shot at the next Colts starting quarterback!  Can he do it?  Has Chris Ballard screwed this up beyond his own ability to repair it?  

If the Colts fire Frank Reich, is there a decent coach in the NFL at any level who who covet the job?  

Hoosiers host Marian Tomorrow - sign up for and cancelling BTN+ is simple, and I explain how!  

Pacers tonight at Washington without Rick Carlisle who will be at his daughter's senior night!  

Hardwood Harry predicts weekend games including Colts versus Commanders!

Shaquille Leonard sounds like he's ready to rock n roll against Washington! Says Matt Ryan not to blame, but team behind helping Sam Ehlinger succeed.    

Commanders are a good opponent for Ehlinger to open against.  Washington doesn't score much or force turnovers!    

Hoosiers open season with exhibition against Marian tomorrow at 3p - only on BTN+, which will cost $9.95 for the month!  

Pacers tonight in Washington, and Myles Turner MUST be better!

"Sam Ehlinger - Indy Gunslinger" is a film treatment that will thrill or depress Colts and film fans!  Is Frank Reich a hero or villain?  What about Chris Ballard?  Shaq Leonard was full go at practice - will he be in the film at all.    

AND - The definitive guide to enjoying the final 10 games of the season is also included absolutely free of charge!  The key - managing expectations, which is something Colts owner Jim Irsay has had trouble with!

Sam Ehlinger and Matt Ryan said all the right things - if Ehlinger process and throws as well as he talks, Colts win Sunday!  Frank Reich still chafing at questions about why Ehlinger over Foles.  

(at 10:10) Colts buyers or sellers at the Deadline on Tuesday?  How about neither!  Are they one player away? Do the Colts have the one player someone else will covet?  

(at 12:35) Hoosiers first three events only on BTN+, which will cost you $9.95 for the month!  First exhibition Saturday at 3p vs. Marian!  

(at 13:19) Pacers lose by 15 as Myles Turner returns!

Sam Ehlinger's first game as a starter will be a triumph if it goes as well as his first media availability as a starter.  Frank Reich had to tell his team the best path to winning is with Ehlinger not 18 hours after telling the media, "Matt's our quarterback!"  Not an enviable position.  Reich also said the focus is on winning the AFC South, and that Matt Ryan is rehabbing the shoulder, and the decision as to whether he will be the backup will be made when he is healthy.  Ryan says he is focused on rehabbing the shoulder and helping Sam "in every way possible."  

(at 12:49) Indiana's 2023 football schedule unfair - AGAIN!  (at 13:19) Pacers fans - and investors - should look for a backdoor cover tonight in Chicago!

Colts with Sam Ehinger as starter favored by three!  Colts are 3-3-1 - no time to be a seller at the deadline in a week!  Gus Bradley has gotten ready for Taylor Heinecke before!  

(at 11:39) PFF grades for Colts offensive line tell the story of a unit that needs to improve immediately!  

(at 13:30) Indiana Basketball SID J.D. Campbell is on the mend!  

(at 14:00) Pacers play the Bulls in Chicago tonight and are -8 - a big enough number for a sweet backdoor cover!

Sam Ehlinger won four bowl games at Texas and compares statistically with Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson! He also compares with Brock Purdy!   Colts hope is a not a sin!  No downside to believing in Ehlinger and the Colts defense coming through Sunday against an equally challenged offense.  

(at 9:45) What does Frank Reich feel like in the Colts Complex?  I've been there - sort of.  

(at 14:18) Should Jonathan Taylor get 30-35 carries Sunday?  

(at 15:18) Colts have won four straight against Washington dating back to the Peyton Manning Era!

Sam Ehlinger as quarterback must have different offense!  Frank Reich says decision was made by Jim Irsay, Chris Ballard, and himself, but Irsay had the biggest vote.  Does it make sense that the Colts spent $4M guaranteed on Reich's guy Nick Foles but elevate Ehlinger?  ESPN's Louis Riddick says Colts are biggest disappointment of the season and that the offensive line has been bludgeoned.    

(at 12:30) Bears end Zappe Hour a little bit early for the Patriots last night!  

(at 13:06) Jim Nantz will call his last Final Four this year in Houston.  

(at 13:30) Pacers lose to 76ers because the Sixers hit threes and the Colts didn't.  Basketball is an easy game.  Make shots - win!

Sam Ehlinger will either prove he's ready to start in the NFL - or he will prove he isn't!  He is now one of 32 NFL starting quarterbacks.  

Was Jim Irsay the decision maker?  Was it Chris Ballard?  Was it Frank Reich?  Maybe it was a combination of all three.

Matt Ryan's pick six was the lone touchdown for the Titans, and that lost the Colts the game - and maybe the division.  Discarding him will be expensive.  

That pick six was directly caused by an egregious no-call on the previous play, and that's how the NFL works.  One play leads to the next.  Complaining about the no-call kept Frank Reich from doing his other job, and that led to the interception.  And that is why Reich should allow Marcus Brady to call plays!  

Indiana Football provides Rutgers first Big 10 home win in five years!  

Pacers tonight in Philly.  They are fun again.

Matt Ryan is not a championship level quarterback, and it's hard to make the case Frank Reich can win a championship after the Colts lose 19-10 to the Titans.  

Good teams make plays and good coaches instill toughness.  The Titans had that coach and made winning plays today!

Colts hopes to win the AFC South likely require beating the Titans.  Ryan throwing quickly, Frank Reich not overthinking, Jonathan Taylor being efficient in his return, and the defense holding Derrick Henry under 100 yards - all critical in coming home with a win!  

(at 11:22) Indiana plays for its bowl life tomorrow at Rutgers.  Can Tom Allen get the Hoosiers straightened out?  

(at 12:44) Indiana Pacers host Romeo Langford and Doug McDermott tonight!   (14:04) 49ers get fleeced in trade for Christian McCaffrey!

Colts may be close to full health as JT and Shaq were full at practice today.    

Colts outscore opponents a ton in the fourth quarter, and the Titans are just as good early in games!  How can the Colts flip the script early while maintaining their ability to finish like champs!  

Zaire Franklin says the Titans reflect the toughness of their coach, which seems just about right!  

Trayce Jackson-Davis  named second team All-American by CBS.  That award has no meaning if not matched with a Final Four MVP!  

Indiana Basketball's first exhibition coming in just nine days!

Colts have lost four straight to Mike Vrabel and the Titans.  The scheme is easy - must throw AND control the ball.  Vrabel will not let Jonathan Taylor beat him.  He will always not let the Titans beat themselves, so the Colts need to play mistake free football too!  

Ben Mathurin's debut off the bench for the Pacers was excellent, but they lost by seven to the Wizards.  One thing learned is that Mathurin is a starter.  

Indiana and Kentucky appear determined to resurrect their annual series in either 24-25 or 25-26, and that's good for college basketball - especially the Hoosiers who will enjoy hammering the Wildcats!

Shaquille Leonard was limited in practice today, and so was Jonathan Taylor!  What does that mean for Sunday against the Titans?  

Sam Ehlinger said there was a package for him to run against the Jaguars, but he was unsure as to whether it would be in for the Titans game.  

Dan Dakich had Dane Fife in studio today for some great Indiana Basketball related radio.  Fife said something important and worth sharing about basketball.  

Pacers opening game tonight, and fans MUST dial back expectations or face grim disappointment!

Jim Irsay stood alone among NFL owners calling for the removal of Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder - and he was right to do it.  Don Van Natta's ESPN piece showed Snyder to be a rogue actor and poor steward of a once great franchise.  

Colts must win Sunday if they hope to win the AFC South, and here are seven reasons to believe winning is the likely result Sunday in Nashville!  Will Jonathan Taylor play?  

Optimism Wednesday continues with a look at the Indiana Pacers, who open the regular season tonight!  Youth and low expectations top the list of reasons to hope the Pacers can complete!

Matt Ryan turned it over twice in the first matchup against the Titans, and Jonathan Taylor fumbled once too.  Colts need to secure and move the ball to win in Nashville and take control of the AFC South on Sunday.  

Titans are coming off a bye, and have been dominant in that situation under Mike Vrabel, outscoring opponents 132-50 with a 4-0 record.  

Indiana Pacers ready to learn and grow in the season of change.  For now, the starting lineup is Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, Buddy Hield, Jalen Smith, and Myles Turner with Bennedict Mathurin coming off the bench.  That lineup can win games, but Turner and Hield are likely short-timers!

Colts are 3-2-1 in a virtual tie for first place, but they have been behind in every single game at the two-minute warning!    

Titans are very similar to the Colts in several ways, and the best news for the Colts is that the best scheme to attack the Titans is what Matt Ryan did to the Jaguars!  

Hoosiers ranked 13th in the preseason.  Need to hit threes at a higher level to justify that faith!  Xavier Johnson and Jordan Geronimo must ball out for Mike Woodson!

Colts six games in - time to grade Matt Ryan as QB and all position groups.  Guess what - 3-2-1 is not an honor roll start and so the grades reflect that!  Carson 

Wentz out 4-6 weeks which will make his getting to 70% of the Commanders' snaps a close call!  I tell you why that matters!  

Steve Wilks, the Carolina Panthers interim coach, is not playing games.  Just ask Robbie Anderson!  

Titans will build a $2.2 billion dome, which makes the Indianapolis deal to build Lucas Oil Stadium all the better.

Matt Ryan's record breaking day leads Colts to huge 34-27 win over Jaguars.  Colts allowed Trevor Lawrence to complete over 90% of his passes, the Jags ran for 242 yards, and the Colts won because Ryan got hot when it counted!    

Colts @Titans game next Sunday looms HUGE as the winner will take the lead in the AFC South!

Jonathan Taylor and Julian Blackmon are questionable for the key game at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Jaguars.  

Frank Reich was asked by the great Kevin Bowen whether Sam Ehlinger is going to dress Sunday - which unraveled means, "Hey, are you thinking about benching Matt Ryan?"    Colts haven't lost at home against the Jags since 2017, so that's good, right?  

Pacers tonight against Eric Gordon and the Rockets!  Bennedict Mathurin is FUN to watch.  

Hoosiers with a chance Saturday to put themselves back into the bowl conversation with a Memorial Stadium win against Maryland!

Matt Ryan will try to lead the Colts offense to competence - and a win against the Jaguars.  Ryan hasn't been great, but he's better than Carson Wentz or Justin Fields were last night, right?  

Pro Football Focus shows both the Colts and Jaguars as untalented offensively.  

Ron Rivera went off last night in defending Wentz, and that played worse than his early in the week honesty about Wentz!  

Pacers tonight at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.  Eric Gordon comes home to Indy!  Guess how much money the former Mr. Basketball has earned in the NBA.  Bet your guess is low!

Colts injury report shows Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, and Ryan Kelly limited!  Julian Blackmon full go!  

Beating the Jaguars means keeping Trevor Lawrence from getting comfy!  Time to Throw is very important in limiting sacks and interceptions!  Let me tell you how important!  

Pacers welcoming Eric Gordon home tomorrow night for the preseason finale!  Is it possible they could get off to a hot start!

Colts have decided to ride with Bernhard Raimann at left tackle.  Injury list for Colts much longer than for Jaguars.  Colts and Jaguars eerily similar in many ways - other than points scored.  

Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce availability a significant pro-Colts difference in rematch!  

Pacers win over the Knicks a fun watch last night.  Rick Carlisle goes all Captain Kirk, Bennedict Mathurin scores and whines in equal measure, and concessions get smart at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.