The University of Southern Indiana (USI) and the University of Evansville (UE) will meet for the first time in a regular‑season men’s basketball game this November, a milestone that has been eagerly anticipated by fans and administrators alike.
A milestone for regional basketball
The contest is slated for November 7 at the Ford Center, a venue that will host the showdown under the auspices of the Evansville Regional Sports Commission, which announced the fixture in partnership with Old National Bank.
Season ticket holders from both schools will receive priority access to seats before the general public is offered tickets, a move designed to reward loyal supporters of the emerging rivalry.
The two programs have previously faced off in four exhibition contests since 2004, with UE holding a perfect 4‑0 record; two of those meetings stretched to overtime, including a double‑overtime thriller in 2008.
USI President Steven J. Bridges highlighted the game’s significance for the university and the broader Evansville community, while USI Head Coach Stan Gouard expressed excitement about the added intensity of a local derby. USI Vice President and Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall added that the event will help bring the community together and prepare both teams for upcoming Ohio Valley Conference play.