Indiana University’s men’s basketball team is slated to travel to New York City on November 17, 2024, where it will square off against the University of Arkansas at the iconic Madison Square Garden. The contest is part of the Bad Boy Mowers Series, a showcase that bolsters Indiana’s high‑major nonconference schedule for the 2026‑27 season.
The game marks the latest chapter in a series that has seen the two programs meet five times since the 2007‑08 campaign, with Indiana holding a 2‑3 edge overall. Their most recent encounter came in the 2019‑20 season, when Arkansas edged the Hoosiers 71‑64 in Bloomington, while a neutral‑site clash in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2008 saw the Razorbacks prevail 86‑72.
A rivalry reborn
Madison Square Garden has a special place in Indiana’s recent history; the Hoosiers’ last appearance there was during the 2023‑24 season, a night that ended with a loss to the University of Connecticut but was followed by a victory over the University of Louisville. That experience adds a layer of familiarity for the players heading back to the venue.
Arkansas arrives in New York under the guidance of head coach John Calipari, who spent fifteen seasons at the University of Kentucky before making the move to Fayetteville. Under Calipari, the Razorbacks have captured back‑to‑back Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA tournament, underscoring the program’s resurgence.
The Razorbacks’ recruiting class has been ranked No. 1 in the 2026 composite rankings by 247 Sports, featuring guard Jordan Smith Jr., who is listed as the nation’s third‑best prospect, as well as five‑star recruits JJ Andrews and forward Abdou Toure. Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr., who led Arkansas with 23.5 points per game last season, was selected seventh overall in the NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, illustrating the talent pipeline flowing through the program.
Despite the star‑laden influx, Arkansas has experienced notable roster turnover, with several key contributors departing after the previous campaign. Among those who will return is Billy Richmond III, the team’s highest‑profile holdover, who averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game last year. Junior guard Jeremiah Wilkinson also returns, having posted a team‑high 17.4 points per game.
Indiana’s schedule does not stop with Arkansas; the Hoosiers are set to face Syracuse, Kentucky and Missouri later in the nonconference slate, with a marquee matchup against the University of North Carolina slated for October 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Their final regular‑season road test will take place at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, against Western Kentucky on October 25.
Beyond the collegiate season, Indiana will represent the United States at the FISU America Games in Lima, Peru, running from July 20 to August 1, adding an international dimension to the team’s summer activities.