Indiana University’s men’s basketball team is set to welcome the University of North Carolina in a preseason exhibition on October 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The tip‑off time and television broadcast details will be revealed in the coming weeks, with tickets scheduled to go on sale Thursday, promising a quick sell‑out given the historic rivalry.
NCAA’s relaxed scheduling rules pave the way for marquee matchups
In recent years the NCAA has eased restrictions that once limited preseason pairings, allowing teams to schedule high‑profile games against fellow Division I opponents.
A fresh look for the Tar Heels
North Carolina announced the dismissal of Hubert Davis after a first‑round NCAA tournament exit last season, appointing Michael Malone — the winningest coach in Denver Nuggets history — to lead the program.
Malone, who guided the Nuggets to an NBA championship in 2023, arrives with a mandate to reshape the roster through the transfer portal, blending veteran talent with emerging prospects.
Indiana, meanwhile, enters the exhibition with momentum from recent preseason victories over Baylor and Tennessee, both decided in the final minutes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The two programs last met in 2022, when Indiana secured a 77‑65 win at Assembly Hall, a result that added to a series that now stands at 16 total encounters.
Fans can expect a clash of styles as the Tar Heels’ newly assembled squad tests its chemistry against the Hoosiers, who will look to extend their recent edge in the series.