Report: IU basketball to host Western Illinois next season

According to a report published Sunday, an eighth non-conference opponent for IU basketball’s 2026-27 season is now known.

Alex Rosinski reported that the Hoosiers will host Western Illinois on Sunday, December 6.

The Leathernecks, members of the Ohio Valley Conference, are based in Macomb, Illinois and finished the 2025-26 season with a 5-26 record under coach Chad Boudreau.

Western Illinois finished the 2025-26 season at No. 364 in KenPom, second-worst in the country.

Bart Torvik currently has Western Illinois at No. 332 nationally in his preseason ratings for the 2026-27 season.

The Hoosiers lead the all-time series with Western Illinois 4-0. The two programs last met on December 5, 2019, in Bloomington. Indiana won 84-54.

Other known dates for IU’s 2026-27 schedule include Eastern Illinois on November 2 at Assembly Hall, Bellarmine on November 5 at Assembly Hall, Syracuse on November 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Arkansas on November 17 at Madison Square Garden, Kentucky on November 20 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Bowling Green on November 27 at Assembly Hall and Missouri on December 18 at Assembly Hall.

IU will also play exhibition games against Butler on October 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, North Carolina on October 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and against Western Kentucky on October 25 at the Ford Center in Evansville.

See More: Schedule, Western Illinois Leathernecks