The University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville men’s basketball teams will match-up in the Vectren Community Classic October 27 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. The exhibition game is the fourth meeting between the two programs since 2004. Tip-off time is set for 7:05 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public on October 1.
“USI is very pleased to be a part of this great community event,†said USI Head Coach Rodney Watson. “The city of Evansville has always had a great basketball tradition and this game is the proper tip-off to another great collegiate basketball season.”
Evansville came out on top in the first three exhibition contests that were played at Roberts Stadium. The Screaming Eagles fell short in 2004, 88-75, but came close to defeating the Purple Aces in the last two exhibition contests.
USI missed a three-pointer with time running in 2006, losing 77-75, and came up short in double-overtime in 2008, 71-67.
Both schools have outstanding traditions in men’s basketball. Evansville won five NCAA College Division national championships before moving to the Division I level in 1977. USI has reached the NCAA Division II Tournament in 13 of the past 16 years, winning the national championship in 1995 and finishing second in 1994 and 2004.
The Eagles have averaged 25 victories per year since 1993.
