Early Non‑Conference slate takes shape
Indiana University’s men’s basketball program has locked in its first two preseason exhibitions, beginning with a game against Western Kentucky at the Ford Center in Evansville on October 25, 2026. The arena, which can accommodate up to 11,000 fans, will provide a intimate setting for the early‑season showdown.
Just a week earlier, the Hoosiers travel to Indianapolis to face North Carolina, marking the second exhibition of the schedule. Both games serve as a warm‑up for the regular season and give the coaching staff a chance to fine‑tune strategies before conference play begins.
While the complete non‑conference schedule has not been released, several additional matchups are already known. Neutral‑site contests against Kentucky and Syracuse are slated for later in the preseason, and the team will host Eastern Illinois, Bellarmine, and Bowling Green at Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
Beyond the domestic slate, Indiana will represent the United States at the FISU America Games in Peru this summer. The Hoosiers are scheduled to compete from July 20 through August 1, adding an international dimension to their preparation.
Coach Mike Woodson emphasized that the early games are designed to test depth and build chemistry, noting that the team will use the experiences to sharpen its identity before the first regular‑season contest.