IU basketball: Hoosiers to host Western Michigan on Nov. 13 if non-conference play proceeds

The latest piece of Indiana’s 2020-21 non-conference schedule emerged on Wednesday.

But the larger question remains — will Indiana play a non-conference schedule this winter?

The D1 Docket obtained public records that indicate IU will host Western Michigan on Nov. 13 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.

Indiana will host Western Michigan on November 13th per public records obtained by @TheD1Docket.

— The D1 Docket (See pinned tweet Docket link) (@TheD1Docket) July 22, 2020

The Big Ten recently announced that it canceled all 2020 football non-conference games, but that ruling does not apply to men’s basketball.

In a recent interview, IU head coach Archie Miller seemed to imply a preference for a conference only schedule for basketball as well.

“Everything is a moving part, so to speak. Everyone is trying to figure out the safest ways to do what everyone wants to do,” Miller said.  “The conference-only schedule allows the Big Ten to put everyone in the same ballpark as a far as protocols, testing and travel, and I think that’s a good thing. We’re all hopeful.”

Western Michigan finished the 2019-20 season ranked No. 237 according to KenPom.  The Mid-American Conference program finished 6-12 in league play under head coach Steve Hawkins.  The lone common opponent during 2019-20 was Michigan State.  The Spartans handled Western Michigan easily in East Lansing by a final score of 95-62.

Indiana has played Western Michigan five times with the most recent meeting in 2006.  The Hoosiers hold a 5-0 lead in the series, with five of the meetings held in Bloomington and one in Indianapolis.

Below are the currently known elements of Indiana’s 2020-21 schedule.  Under the currently contemplated format, Indiana has just one non-conference game that is unknown other than the disclosure of the opponents for the Gavitt Games and Big Ten / ACC Challenge.  Under normal circumstances, those opponents, along with the disclosure of who Indiana will be facing in Big Ten play would be public by now.

2020-21 SCHEDULE