The 2025-2026 men's basketball schedule is slowly but surely piecing itself together and one game that has been announced should have Indiana fans smiling. The Hoosiers are set to take on the Louisville Cardinals for the third season in a row, hoping this year they will able to get back in the win column.
The Hoosiers have played Louisville only a handful of times and currently lead the series record 12-9, but it is certainly getting closer and closer with each matchup. For this next matchup, the Hoosiers and the Cardinals will get a bit of a professional feel of the game as they are set to play in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Louisville will play Indiana on Dec. 6 at Gainbridge Arena in Indianapolis, source told @TheFieldOf68.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 10, 2025
Love this non-conference matchup between Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals and new IU coach Darian DeVries and the Hoosiers.
Should be a terrific atmosphere.
Indiana and Louisville will face off in Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the 2025-2026 season
In the 2023-2024 season, Indiana beat Kenny Payne in what would end up being his final season with the Cardinals. In 2024, Pat Kelsey came into town with his new team and beat Mike Woodson in what would end up being his final game of the season.
Now with Kelsey heading into his second season with Louisville and Darian DeVries heading into his first season with the Hoosiers, this matchup could be even more electric. The two teams are set to face off on December 6, 2025, in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever.
Last season, when these teams went head-to-head, it was in the Bahamas in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament when the Cardinals truly got the best of the Hoosiers, beating them 89-61, the start of a downward spiral for Indiana.
This Louisville team only seems to be getting better, as they made the NCAA Tournament this season but were bounced in the first round by 9-seed Creighton. However, DeVries, in his introductory press conference seemed to welcome the idea of playing tougher competition in non-conference play.
"Big Ten conference play, we got 20 of those games, so you’ve got to get yourself ready for it," DeVries said. "We want to challenge ourselves in the best way possible to make sure we’ve got some very meaningful non-conference games."
So grab your popcorn, Indiana fans, cause this matchup should be very interesting, and while it isn't in Bloomington, it is only a short drive away from the home of the Hoosiers and could be a great experience for all fans.