Three Takeaways From Indiana's 2023-24 Nonconference Schedule Release

In an 11-game nonconference slate for the 2023-24 men's basketball season, Indiana scheduled a trio of challenging neutral site games, put itself on a national stage against a blueblood opponent like Kansas and rounded it out with a few quality mid-major schools.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Since taking over in the 2021-22 season, coach Mike Woodson has stressed the importance of playing a difficult nonconference schedule as Indiana prepares for Big Ten play. 

The Hoosiers played North Carolina, Kansas, Arizona and Xavier last season, and the trend of quality nonconference opponents continues in 2023-24. Indiana released its 11-game nonconference schedule on Tuesday, higlighted by a home game against Kansas, a neutral site game against Auburn in Atlanta, Ga. and trip to New York for the Empire Classic, where the Hoosiers will play two games against UConn, Texas or Louisville, depending how the bracket plays out. 

Altogether, Woodson assembled another quality nonconference slate that will put the Hoosiers on a national stage and help their strength of schedule come NCAA Tournament time. Here's the full nonconference schedule, plus three takeaways.

Indiana's 2023-24 nonconference schedule

• (Exhibition) Indiana vs. Indianapolis – Oct. 29, Assembly Hall
• (Exhibition) Indiana vs. Marian – Nov. 3, Assembly Hall
• Indiana vs. Florida Gulf Coast – Nov. 7, Assembly Hall
• Indiana vs. Army – Nov. 12, Assembly Hall
• Indiana vs. Wright State – Nov. 16, Assembly Hall
• Empire Classic – Nov. 19-20 (Two games against UConn, Texas or Louisville)
• Indiana vs. Harvard – Nov. 26, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
• Indiana vs. Auburn – Dec. 9 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga.
• Indiana vs. Kansas – Dec. 16 at Assembly Hall
• Indiana vs. Morehead State – Dec. 19 at Assembly Hall
• Indiana vs. North Alabama – Dec. 21 at Assembly Hall
• Indiana vs. Kennesaw State – Dec. 29 at Assembly Hall

Three takeaways from the 2023-24 nonconference schedule release

1. No true road games, but challenging neutral sites

Indiana won't play a true road game until Big Ten play begins, but Woodson still built a schedule that will challenge the Hoosiers away from Assembly Hall.

The first major tests come on Nov. 19 and 20 in the Empire Classic, a four-team, tournament-style showcase at Madison Square Garden. The Hoosiers do not know their opponents yet, but they'll play two games against UConn, Texas or Louisville, depending on how the bracket plays out.

The reigning national champion UConn Huskies lost starters Jordan Hawkins, Andre Jackson and Adama Sanogo from last year's team, but coach Dan Hurley still projects to have a national contender. Starters Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban return, along with 7-foot-2 center Donovan Clingan, who seems primed for a breakout sophomore season. UConn added one player through transfer portal, landing Rutgers sharpshooter Cam Spencer to replace Hawkins. Hurley also brings in the nation's fourth-ranked freshman class, headlined by five-star guard Stephon Castle, top-100 recruits Soloman Ball, Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross and 7-footer Youssouf Singare.

Texas reached the Elite Eight under interim head coach Rodney Terry, who was promoted with a five-year contract this offseason, but lost a chunk of last year's roster. Seniors Marcus Carr, Sir'Jabari Rice, Christian Bishop and Timmy Allen graduated, and former top-100 recruits Arterio Morris and Rowan Brumbaugh transferred out. The Longhorns got a boost from Tyrese Hunter (10.3 ppg) and Dillon Mitchell (4.3 ppg) deciding to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to Texas. Veterans Brock Cunningham (4.6 ppg) and Dylan Disu (8.8 ppg) are also back after playing key roles in Texas' Elight Eight run. Terry did well to replenish Texas' roster in the transfer portal, landing Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas (21.9 ppg), Virginia forward Kadin Shedrick (6.2 ppg), UT-Arlington guard Chendall Weaver (9.5 ppg) and UTEP forward Ze'Rik Onyema (7.5 ppg). Texas brings in one freshman, Chris Johnson, a combo guard ranked No. 53 in the nation.

Louisville was one of the worst teams in college basketball last season, finishing 4-28 overall and 2-18 in ACC play. Entering his second season, coach Kenny Payne lost leading scorer El Ellis to Arkansas, but brings in the nation's No. 6 overall class. The nine-man class consists of six freshmen and three transfers, headlined by top-30 freshmen Trentyn Flowers and Dennis Evans, plus USC transfer Tre White (9.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg).

The third and final Power 5 opponent Indiana will play on a neutral site is Auburn, who went 21-13 and lost in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 as a No. 9 seed last season. Auburn should be an SEC contender next season as it brings back the majority of its scoring and adds incoming talent. Starting guards Wendell Green and Allen Flanigan are gone, but Auburn returns senior forward Johni Broome, who led the Tigers in points and rebounds per game last year. Seniors Jaylin Williams (11.2 ppg), K.D. Johnson (8.9 ppg), Dylan Cardwell (3.7 ppg) and Chris Moore (3.5) are back, as well. Auburn brings in five-star point guard Aden Holloway, the No. 18 player in the class of 2024, along with San Diego State transfer Chad Baker-Mazara and Florida International transfer Denver Jones. 

2. Indiana put itself on a national stage

The second installment of a home-and-home series between Indiana and Kansas is sure to be a primetime, nationally-televised event that draws major television ratings. Indiana point guard Xavier Johnson was injured in last year's matchup at Allen Fieldhouse – an 84-62 Kansas victory – but he'll get a shot a revenge in what will be a wild atmosphere at Assembly Hall. Kansas returns guards Dajuan Harris and Kevin McCullar, but experienced plenty of roster turnover with the NBA Draft and transfer portal. Ex-Michigan center Hunter Dickinson transferred to Kansas and will make his return to Assembly Hall on Dec. 16.

"I know our fans cannot wait to see Kansas at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall," Woodson said. "It should be a great battle between two of the most historically significant programs in the country.”

Indiana's trip to New York for the Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden will draw plenty of national attention, too. In addition to television exposure, UConn fans are used to packing this arena for the Big East Tournament, and they'll be eager to cheer on the defending national champion Huskies. Texas and Louisville are strong brands in college athletics, and playing in tournaments like this can have recruiting benefits for all involved.

Indiana has expanded its recruiting base to Georgia in recent years, landing Kaleb Banks from Hampton, Ga. and Jakai Newton from Covington, Ga. The Hoosiers will play Auburn at the State Farm Center, where the Atlanta Hawks play. This matchup should not only be a good test for the current team, but it could serve as a recruiting opportunity for Indiana, as well.

“I am thrilled with the chance to return to Madison Square Garden and Atlanta for three great games against high-major opponents," Woodson said.

3. A few talented mid-major opponents

Indiana should always expect to win its nonconference games against mid-major opponents, especially at Assembly Hall. And on paper, it appears Woodson built a slate with a handful of formidable opponents. For the second consecutive season, the Hoosiers will play Kennesaw State, a team that led Indiana in the second half of last season's game and played a tough game against No. 3 seed Xavier in the NCAA Tournament. Kennesaw State, Florida Gulf Coast and Wright State return plenty of talent and should be in the mix for conference titles.

Here's where Indiana's mid-major opponents finished in NET and KenPom rankings last season out of 363 Division I college basketball programs, as well as their 2023-24 projections.

Florida Gulf Coast, Nov. 17 at Assembly Hall

• 2022-23 record: 17-15
• NET: 181
• KenPom: 185
• Bart Torvik 2023-24 projection: 118

Army, Nov. 12 at Assembly Hall

• 2022-23 record: 17-16
• NET: 246
• KenPom: 248
• Bart Torvik 2023-24 projection: 291

Wright State, Nov. 16 at Assembly Hall

• 2022-23 record: 18-15
• NET: 197
• KenPom: 197
• Bart Torvik 2023-24 projection: 134

Harvard, Nov. 26 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

• 2022-23 record: 14-14
• NET: 150
• KenPom: 158
• Bart Torvik 2023-24 projection: 245

Morehead State, Dec. 19 at Assembly Hall

• 2022-23 record: 22-12
• NET: 219
• KenPom: 237 
• Bart Torvik 2023-24 projection: 222

North Alabama, Dec. 21 at Assembly Hall

• 2022-23 record: 18-15
• NET: 242
• KenPom: 256
• Bart Torvik 2023-24 projection: 195

Kennesaw State, Dec. 29 at Assembly Hall

• 2022-23 record: 26-9
• NET: 116
• KenPom: 123
• Bart Torvik 2023-24 projection: 142

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