Indiana and Butler meet Sunday night in an exhibition that gives both programs an early look at rosters that have changed a lot since last season.
The Hoosiers are in the second year of the Mike Woodson era, after going 18-14 last season and coming up just short of the NCAA Tournament. Butler, meanwhile, has a new head coach in Ronald Nored, who takes over after the Bulldogs finished 16-16 in the final season under Thad Matta.
Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 11, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game will air on WISH-8 in Indianapolis.
Fans can also follow along on radio through 105.1 FM in Bloomington, 93.5 and 107.5 FM (IU) and 92.7 FM (Butler) in Indianapolis, along with the Varsity Network.
Indiana’s roster is packed with new names and transfers, including Trevor Manhertz, Darren Harris from Duke, Bryce Lindsay from Villanova, Jaeden Mustaf from Georgia Tech, Sam Alexis, Markus Burton from Notre Dame, Prince-Alexander Moody, Drew Snively, Trent Sisley, Justin Monden from Maryland-Eastern Shore, Jordan Rayford, Clemens Sokolova, Samet Yigitoglu from SMU, Aiden Sherrell from Alabama, Vaughn Karvala, Ian Stephens and Ben Winkler from Cal State Fullerton.
Butler’s roster also has a fresh look, with Herly Brutus, Jalen Jackson, Jordan Ellerbee from Florida Gulf Coast, Ethan McComb, Baron Walker, Christian Moore from The Citadel, Samis Calderon from Kansas, Eduardo Klafke from Mississippi, Marko Maric, Samu Adler, Drayton Jones, Asim Djulovic, Bryson Cardinal, Kevin Ndzie and Treyson Anderson from North Dakota State.
The exhibition opener is the first listed game on Indiana’s 2026-27 slate, which also includes home exhibitions against North Carolina on Oct. 17 and Western Kentucky on Oct. 25 before the regular season begins Nov. 2 against Eastern Illinois.
Butler’s schedule starts with the Indiana exhibition before another exhibition against Indiana State on Oct. 18 and a trip to Ohio State on Oct. 25.
In Other News...
Khobie Martin Could Solve An Indiana Backfield Problem Soon
Indianas backfield has been pieced together for much of the early season, and Khobie Martins absence has been a big part of that. The running back suffered multiple breaks in his right forearm in the first quarter of the season opener, and Indiana had initially expected him back around midseason. Since then, the Hoosiers have had to shuffle bodies to get through the position, including moving freshman linebacker Henry Ohlinger into the running back room because of the injuries.
Curt Cignettis latest update offered a more encouraging picture, with Martin now nearing a return to action. For a position group that has been stretched thin, getting closer to full strength matters, especially as Indiana tries to stabilize its rotation and regain some depth. Martins comeback would not solve everything at once, but it would give the Hoosiers a much-needed option in a spot that has been under pressure since opening night. [Read more 🡒]
Indianas Biggest Ohio State Concern Just Became Hard To Ignore
Curt Cignetti had plenty to sort through after Indianas road win at Nebraska, and much of the conversation quickly turned to what comes next. The Hoosiers escaped Lincoln with a victory, but Cignetti pointed out the kinds of issues that tend to matter even more against a team like Ohio State, from missed defensive assignments to a running game that never really got comfortable because of the game conditions and Nebraskas defense.
The focus now shifts to a matchup that demands cleaner football, and Cignetti did not shy away from noting the scale of the challenge. He singled out Buckeyes receiver Jeremiah Smith as an exceptional player, a reminder that Indianas margin for error is going to be thin when the nation's elite show up on the schedule. The Hoosiers have reason to feel good about the win they just earned, but they also know the next test will expose every lapse that was manageable a week ago. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana May Have Found An Early Frontcourt Strength Fans Will Notice
Indianas preseason exhibition at Hinkle Fieldhouse offered an early look at a roster still taking shape, and the most encouraging signs may have come from the interior. In a 96-68 win over Butler, Markus Burton, Samet Yigitoglu and Darren Harris each finished with 13 points, but the frontcourt also gave the Hoosiers a stable foundation with Aiden Sherrell pulling down a team-high nine rebounds.
Sherrells activity around the glass and the way he and Yigitoglu worked together inside stood out as Indiana tried to establish some early balance. Trevor Manhertz also played a useful role in the rotation, giving the Hoosiers another option as they sort through the best combinations up front. [Read more 🡒]