The non-conference slate for Indiana men’s basketball has been formally released, and it is safe to say these matchups are indeed on the calendar.
To be perfectly frank from the start: this marks roughly the third consecutive year in which the Hoosiers’ out-of-conference success will be measured almost entirely by their showing against a handful of major-conference foes and whether they can prevent any humiliating upsets in guaranteed home games. That is hardly an exciting prospect.
Should we call this lineup of games terrible? No, absolutely not. Is it impressive? Somewhat? Perhaps. It simply falls short of what supporters would hope for from a historic brand like Indiana, particularly following an incredibly active offseason.
The Hoosiers are scheduled to play five major-conference teams this year, with three matchups taking place outside of Assembly Hall, though none are genuine away games on an opponent’s home court. The most notable matchups in Bloomington feature an unpredictable Missouri squad and UCF. Underwhelming, to say the least.
Beyond those contests, Indiana will take on a collection of mid- and low-major programs. While this is an annual reality, it becomes far more acceptable when the marquee matchups carry a bit more weight.
Below are some observations on every scheduled game:
vs. Eastern Illinois (Monday, Nov. 2)
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This program has failed to break into the top 300 of the KenPom ratings since the 2019-20 campaign. It serves as a straightforward warm-up game.
vs. Bellarmine (Thursday, Nov. 5)
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Their momentum has waned somewhat following a promising initial transition to NCAA Division I. Doug Davenport succeeded his father, Scott, for the 2025-26 season, guiding the Knights to a 13-19 record in his inaugural year after the team suffered through a dismal 5-26 campaign in 2024-25.
vs. Syracuse (Monday, Nov. 9) – Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
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The Orange parted ways with Adrian Autry during the previous offseason, bringing back Gerry McNamara following his two-year run at Siena, which concluded with a hard-fought first-round exit as a 16-seed against Duke. McNamara’s team pushed the Blue Devils to their limits before ultimately running out of steam. We have a limited data set from his tenure at Siena, where McNamara dialed down the pace in 2025-26 while boosting the team’s efficiency in nearly every category except for three-point shooting. This deliberate approach might create an interesting clash of styles if he maintains a slow tempo against DeVries’ fast-paced system.
vs. Tennessee Tech (Thursday, Nov. 12)
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The Golden Eagles last ranked outside the bottom 300 of KenPom back in the 2022-23 season. Tobin Anderson, famous for orchestrating Fairleigh Dickinson’s historic upset of top-seeded Purdue in 2023, has taken the reins here after a quick exit from Iona. Anderson is a highly capable strategist, and though Tennessee Tech lacks high-end talent, his history of toppling giants is enough to keep fans slightly on edge.
vs. Arkansas (Tuesday, Nov. 17) – Madison Square Garden in New York City
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Finally, we get another John Calipari matchup against the Hoosiers. However, he is now leading Arkansas, and the game is once again at a neutral venue rather than Assembly Hall. So it goes.
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Regardless, Calipari continues to prioritize elite high school recruits despite the popularity of the transfer portal, having guided the Razorbacks to consecutive Sweet Sixteen runs. This matchup rivals the Kentucky game as Indiana’s most formidable non-conference obstacle, but Arkansas gets the nod here because of Calipari’s experience and the transition uncertainties surrounding Mark Pope’s program. The Razorbacks are bringing in an astonishing eight freshmen for the 2026 class, highlighted by blue-chip prospects Jordan Smith Jr. and Miikka Muurinen. Containing that level of sheer athleticism will be a massive challenge.
vs. Kentucky (Friday, Nov. 20) – Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
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DeVries will have an opportunity to settle the score with Pope, though a bizarre scheduling arrangement places this rivalry game in Indianapolis. Pope faces immense scrutiny for a third-year coach who has reached consecutive NCAA Tournaments, largely due to recent struggles on the recruiting trail that drew significant criticism over the summer. He has assembled a skilled roster featuring players like Milan Momcilovic, Alex Wilkins, and Zoom Diallo. However, the lingering question remains: will this group gel effectively?
vs. Jacksonville (Tuesday, Nov. 24)
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Under Jordan Mincy, Jacksonville has enjoyed some respectable campaigns, but they are fresh off their toughest season during his tenure. The Dolphins employ a remarkably slow tempo, meaning this matchup could turn into a frustrating, grind-it-out affair that fans will need to endure.
vs. Western Illinois (Thursday, Dec. 3)
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Who could forget our encounter with this school during the 2024 football season? Fun memories. In any case, the Leathernecks sat at 364th in the KenPom rankings last season, which tells you all you need to know.
vs. UCF (Saturday, Dec. 12)
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Johnny Dawkins continues to lead the Knights, coming off his second trip to the Big Dance with the program. Interestingly, he appears to have adjusted his strategic approach for Big 12 competition, as UCF ranked 11th and 74th in adjusted pace over the last two years after historically favoring a much slower game. The 2026-27 squad features numerous fresh faces—including a player named Mister—making it intriguing to watch whether Dawkins sticks with this fast-paced blueprint or reverts to his older tendencies.
vs. Missouri (Saturday, Dec. 19)
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Under the direction of Dennis Gates, Missouri has secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament during three of his four years at the helm. The lone outlier was a dismal 8-24 performance in 2023-24 that dampened the enthusiasm of his initial success. He has largely stabilized the program since then with respectable consecutive finishes. The Tigers are bringing in their most highly-regarded recruiting class ever, featuring five-star guard Jason Crowe Jr. and blue-chip forward Toni Bryant. When paired with key transfer acquisitions like former Kansas forward Bryson Tiller, Missouri projects to be a dangerous opponent capable of pushing the Hoosiers.
vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (Tuesday, Dec. 22)
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