The University of Missouri basketball program has locked in a non‑conference road test that will take it to Bloomington, Indiana, on December 18, 2026.
The agreement, first reported by analyst Jon Rothstein, does not include a reciprocal game in Columbia, leaving the Tigers with a single meeting against the Hoosiers.
Coach Dennis Gates, now in his fifth season at the helm of the Tigers, has turned the program into a consistent postseason contender, guiding Missouri to three NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure.
A Test for Postseason Aspirations
Across the state line, Indiana will be led by Darian DeVries, who built a reputation at Drake before taking the Hoosiers' reins, and who previously led Drake to three tournament trips of his own.
Last year the Tigers posted a 20‑13 record, finishing 10‑8 in SEC play, a performance that helped cement Gates' reputation and kept the team on the bubble for at‑large bids.
Indiana, by contrast, will miss the 2026 tournament altogether, a rare omission for a program that has historically been a staple of March Madness, and the coaching staff is already plotting a 2027 return.
The scheduled meeting underscores a growing trend of teams using non‑conference slates to test themselves against differing styles and to boost résumé strength ahead of conference play.