Indiana Men’s Basketball: Empire Classic Participation in 2023 for the Hoosiers.
According to a release, Indiana will be one of four teams competing in the 2023 Empire Classic in November at Madison Square Garden. Texas, Louisville, and UConn, the reigning champion, round out the field of eight teams.
As the Indiana Hoosiers’ coach, Mike Woodson will be making his first visit back to Madison Square Garden with the invitational. Woodson had been an assistant coach for the Knicks for two seasons prior to accepting the Indiana position. He had previously spent his rookie season as an NBA player and a brief period as head coach.
In the Jimmy V classic, Indiana defeated UConn 57-54 in 2019, marking the team’s final game at MSG. Additionally, it was Indiana’s final encounter with any of the other three.
It is slated to take place on November 19–20, taking the place of the Gavitt Games, which Indiana had previously attended on that weekend. With Texas and UConn competing, the Hoosiers should have a chance to record a strong non-conference victory that will aid in their March ranking.
Considering Indiana’s non-conference schedule from the previous season, which included games against Xavier, Kansas, and Arizona before Big Ten play got underway, it’s safe to assume the Hoosiers will add a few more significant opponents. However UConn and Texas are added, Indiana fans should have a lot to cheer about if they can defeat both schools before December.
