PASADENA, CA — Indiana coach Curt Cignetti made it known prior to the 2026 Rose Bowl he didn’t like the long layoff his team had, last playing in the Big Ten championship game 26 days ago on Dec. 6.
A day before kickoff, he told the media he didn’t like how his team had been preparing. Practice “didn't meet the standard,” giving an inkling the No. 1 Hoosiers may be in trouble.
But you know those times when someone loudly says something to another, with the intent someone else will hear it?
That’s exactly what Cignetti was doing. It wasn’t meant for the media, it was directed right at his team. He didn’t want his team just eavesdropping, he was “eavesthrowing,” trying to get a message through his players.
“Sometimes my messaging is intended for the players to hear to further reinforce my message to them,” Cignetti said.
