Indiana, UNC to play October exhibition game

Field Level Media|published: 06/15/2026, 10:58am EDT

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) goes to the basket against VCU Rams forward Lazar Djokovic (17) in the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Indiana and North Carolina, two of the only six men's basketball teams to win at least five NCAA championships, will meet Oct. 18 in a preseason exhibition game.

The game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The start time and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

The two iconic programs have met 16 times, with Indiana winning the most recent clash 77-65 on Nov. 30, 2022, on its home court.

The Tar Heels finished 24-9 last season and were ousted in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by VCU in an 82-78 overtime game. Head coach Hubert Davis was fired at season's end and replaced by former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.

The Hoosiers were 18-14 and did not qualify for the tournament for the third straight season.

North Carolina has won six NCAA titles and Indiana has five. Both programs rank in the top 10 in appearances in the national championship game, Final Four and NCAA Tournament, as well as March Madness wins.

--Field Level Media