Mike Woodson, Indiana Return to Madison Square Garden for 2023 Empire Classic

Indiana basketball will compete in the 2023 Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden along with Louisville, Texas and UConn, the defending national champions.

The Hoosiers are headed to the world's most famous arena.

Indiana, Louisville, Texas and UConn comprise a loaded field for the 2023 Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 19 and 20. Matchups, television details and ticket information will be announced on a later date.

Empire State of Mind.

We're headed to MSG for the Empire Classic this fall: https://t.co/mBKyVaEeNq. pic.twitter.com/PRP5x2Wk1P

— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) April 4, 2023

This will be Indiana's second appearance in the Empire Classic. The Hoosiers defeated Washington 102-84 in the first round of the 2013 Empire Classic, but lost 59-58 to UConn in the title game. Indiana has a 12-14 all-time record at Madison Square Garden, most recently defeating UConn 57-54 on Dec. 10, 2019 in the Jimmy V Classic. 

The 2023 Empire Classic serves as a homecoming of sorts for Indiana coach Mike Woodson, who has deep ties to the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden. Woodson was the Knicks' head coach from 2012-14, and served as an assistant coach from 2011-12 and 2020-21. Woodson was also the 12th overall pick in the 1980 NBA Draft by the Knicks.

New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson talks with small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second quarter at Amway Center on Jan. 5 2013 / Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Since taking over at Indiana, his alma mater, Woodson has made a point to construct a challenging non-conference schedule. Indiana played Arizona, Kansas, North Carolina and Xavier in 2022-23, and the Empire Classic could give the Hoosiers two talented opponents.

UConn defeated San Diego State 76-59 in the 2023 National Championship on Monday, and coach Dan Hurley could return the bulk of its roster depending on NBA Draft decisions. Tristen Newton was UConn's only senior in the starting lineup, but he has a fifth year of eligibility available. Indiana has a 4-6 all-time record against UConn.

Rodney Terry inked a five-year contract to become Texas' head coach after leading the Longhorns to the Elite Eight as interim head coach. Terry coached Texas to a 17-7 record and made the program's deepest NCAA Tournament run since 2007-08 after taking over for Chris Beard, who was fired on Jan. 5. Indiana has a 1-2 all-time record against Texas.

In the program's first year with coach Kenny Payne, Louisville went 4-28 overall and finished last in the ACC with a 2-18 conference record. Like Woodson, Payne was an assistant coach for the New York Knicks from 2020-22 before returning to his alma mater. Indiana has an 11-9 all-time record against Louisville.

The 2023 Empire Classic is presented by Continental Tire and benefits the Wounded Warrior Project. Per release, to be the first to receive updates on TV, game time and ticket details, sign up for alerts at Gazelle Ticket Updates and follow the Empire Classic on Twitter and on Instagram.

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