Indiana basketball is just mere months away from tipping off the 2023-24 season. Mike Woodson and his revamped roster of Hoosiers now have their schedule filled out to finally give Indiana fans a taste of what is to come.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Big Ten revealed its conference schedule for the upcoming season. Many experts are already speculating who will reign supreme over the Big Ten after Purdue swept both the regular season and tournament crown last year.
The cream and crimson have compiled yet another difficult nonconference slate. Put that together with the always challenging Big Ten schedule, Indiana will most certainly have their hands full this season.
Starting officially on Nov. 7, Indiana opens up the regular season in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall against Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles rose to fame during their magical run in 2013, dunking their way to the Sweet Sixteen before their eventual loss to Florida.
Indiana’s first big test of the season will take place in the Big Apple, New York City. The Hoosiers will come face-to-face with the defending national champions UConn Huskies on Nov. 19, part of the Empire Classic with Texas and Louisville as the other two squads.
Traveling back up to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana will play Harvard less than a week after their trip to New York. The first two conference games begin in December starting in Bloomington against the Maryland Terrapins and in Ann Arbor taking on Michigan Dec. 5.
Rounding out the month of December, the Hoosiers will compete against two Power Five opponents. First, they take on Auburn in Atlanta, Georgia on Dec. 9 before flying back to Bloomington for a rematch against the Kansas Jayhawks on Dec. 16.
Indiana will conclude non-conference play in late December with three home games against Morehead State, North Alabama, and Kennesaw State. The Hoosiers matched up with Morehead State and Kennesaw State last season, winning both by double figures. North Alabama last took on Indiana in 2020, losing 87-52.
Big Ten play will reignite in Nebraska on Jan. 3 beginning the new year on the road. The Hoosiers will also take on Ohio State at home, travel to Piscataway, and finish up back in Assembly Hall against Minnesota before what could be their toughest stretch in conference play.
The always-entertaining matchup against rival Purdue will first take place in Bloomington on Jan. 16 and wrap up in West Lafayette on Feb. 10. Defending National Player of the Year Zach Edey returned to Purdue after participating in the NBA Draft Combine this offseason, catapulting the Boilermakers back to the top of the NCAA field.
Continuing with a difficult slate of Big Ten matchups, the Hoosiers travel to Wisconsin on Jan. 19 where Indiana has not beaten the Badgers since 1998. Indiana will also head out to Illinois on Jan. 27 before coming back home to host the Iowa Hawkeyes three days later.
The month of February sees Indiana traveling to Ohio State, Purdue, and Penn State. The Hoosiers will take on Penn State, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Wisconsin at home to close out the month. Indiana’s final two road games find themselves in Maryland and Minnesota territory before their final game of the season.
The season finale against the Michigan State Spartans will be March 10, the latest game Indiana has played in the regular season in five years. This will be the lone matchup against the Spartans this season. With Michigan State projected to finish second the the Big Ten, according to Lindy’s Sports Magazine, this more than likely be one of the biggest games in conference play all season long.
The Hoosiers have lofty expectations going into this new season, but many questions will be present. This season’s Big Ten Tournament will be held in Minneapolis at the Target Center from March 13-17.
On Wednesday, Indiana is set to host their media day along with the women’s basketball team. Audrey Marr, Thomas Montalbano, and I will have the coverage for the Hoosier Network starting at 3:00 PM.
