The rivalry is back! After a long hiatus, two basketball powerhouses from Indiana are set to reignite their historic clash. But this time, it's not just any game; it's the Notre Dame basketball exhibition opener at Butler, and it's bound to be a thriller!
These two private institutions, separated by a mere 140 miles of highway, have a rich history on the court. For decades, they faced off annually, sometimes even twice a year, until their paths diverged. But on Friday, they reunite, as Notre Dame makes the 2.5-hour journey down U.S. 31 to the iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse for a highly anticipated exhibition game against Butler.
A lot has changed since their last meeting in 1995. Notre Dame, once an independent team, is now a proud member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), while Butler has found a home in the Big East, the very conference the Irish left in 2013. It's a tale of two teams, each with their own unique journey, coming together once again.
This game holds extra significance for Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry, who returns to his former stomping ground. Shrewsberry spent four seasons as a Butler assistant coach under the legendary Brad Stevens, and now he's back, but on the opposing side.
Mark your calendars for this epic showdown:
Date: Friday, October 17
Time: 7 p.m.
Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Tickets: Available
But here's the catch: it's not on TV!
Radio: Tune in to 960 WSBT-AM in South Bend
Streaming: SiriusXM on ACC Radio and channels 955 and 956
This rivalry has a long history, dating back to 1909. Notre Dame holds the overall lead with a commanding 72-31 record, including a 29-20 advantage at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The last time these teams met in the regular season was in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, where Notre Dame secured a thrilling 67-64 overtime victory to advance to the Sweet 16.
And this is the part most fans have been waiting for: The last time they faced off at Hinkle Fieldhouse was in 1995, a 76-60 victory for Butler. Now, they're back, and the stakes are high.
Keep an eye on these rising stars:
Notre Dame: Introducing Jalen Haralson, the 6-foot-7, 220-pound freshman wing from Anderson, Indiana. Haralson is a five-star recruit, the highest-ranked in the program's modern history, and the first McDonald's All-American to sign under Coach Shrewsberry. He's expected to start at wing guard and could be the next one-and-done sensation.
Butler: Meet Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor, a 6-foot-6 freshman forward who impressed this summer with Team Canada in the FIBA U19 World Cup. His athleticism left Butler head coach Thad Matta in awe. Oliogu-Elabor is one of 11 new players on the Bulldogs' roster, and he's ready to make an impact.
Stay tuned for more Notre Dame basketball news:
- Where did Notre Dame rank in the USA Today ACC preseason poll?
- How was the first-ever Irish Jam at Eddy Street Commons received?
- A unique story about a Notre Dame women's basketball player's journey
- The strategy behind Notre Dame's basketball schedule this season
- Why athletic director Pete Bevacqua is so optimistic about the team's future
- Introducing a key new player on the Notre Dame roster
Here's the full Notre Dame basketball schedule for the upcoming season:
- Oct. 17 at Butler (Exhibition)
- Oct. 24 DEPAUL (Exhibition)
- Nov. 3 LIU BROOKLYN, 7 p.m. (ACCNX)
- Nov. 7 DETROIT MERCY, 7 p.m. (ACCNX)
- Nov. 11 EASTERN ILLINOIS, 7:30 p.m. (ACCNX)
- Nov. 16 At Ohio State, 12:30 p.m. (FS1)
- Nov. 19 BELLARMINE, 7 p.m. (ACCNX)
- Nov. 24 vs Kansas (Players Era Festival, Las Vegas), 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Nov. 25 vs Rutgers (Players Era Festival, Las Vegas), 1 p.m. (TNT)
- Nov. 26/27 TBD (Players Era Festival, Las Vegas), TBD
- Dec. 2 MISSOURI (ACC/SEC Challenge), 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
- Dec. 5 At TCU, 8 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Dec. 10 IDAHO, 7 p.m. (ACCNX)
- Dec. 13 EVANSVILLE, 2 p.m. (ACCNX)
- Dec. 21 PURDUE FORT WAYNE, 12 p.m. (ACCNX)
- Dec. 30 At Stanford, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
- Jan. 2 At California, 11 p.m. (ESPN2)
- Jan. 10 CLEMSON, 6 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
- Jan. 13 MIAMI (Fla.), 7 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
- Jan. 17 At Virginia Tech, 12 p.m. (ACCN)
- Jan. 21 At North Carolina, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
- Jan. 24 BOSTON COLLEGE, 6 p.m. (ACCN)
- Jan. 27 VIRGINIA, 7 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
- Jan. 31 At Syracuse, 6 p.m. (The CW)
- Feb. 4 At Louisville, 7 p.m. (ESPN/U)
- Feb. 7 FLORIDA STATE, 4 p.m. (ACCN)
- Feb. 10 At SMU, 7 p.m. (ACCN)
- Feb. 14 GEORGIA TECH, 12 p.m. (The CW)
- Feb. 21 At Pittsburgh, 2 p.m. (ACCN)
- Feb. 24 DUKE, 7 p.m. (ESPN2/U)
- Feb. 28 NORTH CAROLINA STATE, 12 p.m. (The CW)
- March 3 STANFORD, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
- March 7 At Boston College, 12 p.m. (ESPNU)
- March 10-14 ACC Tournament (Charlotte), TBD
Are you ready for this basketball extravaganza? Who do you think will come out on top in this historic matchup? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
