Get ready for a blast from the past! After nearly three decades, Notre Dame and Butler are facing off on the basketball court again at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. This isn't just another exhibition game; it's a rekindling of a classic Indiana rivalry that used to be an annual tradition. But here's where it gets interesting: both teams have undergone massive transformations since their last meeting in this iconic venue.
For years, these two private universities, separated by a mere 140 miles down U.S. 31, battled it out on the hardwood, sometimes even twice a season. Then, their paths diverged. Now, the Fighting Irish are making the two-and-a-half-hour trip to Indianapolis for a highly anticipated exhibition game against the Butler Bulldogs.
Mark your calendars: the game tips off Friday, October 17th, at 7:00 PM EST at Hinkle Fieldhouse, known for its unique charm and a seating capacity of 9,100. If you're lucky, you might still be able to snag tickets!
And this is the part most people miss: This game marks a significant homecoming for Notre Dame's head coach, Micah Shrewsberry! He spent four formative seasons (2007-2011) as an assistant coach under the legendary Brad Stevens at Butler. This adds an intriguing layer of emotion and strategy to the matchup. He'll be walking the sidelines where he built his foundation, now leading the opposing team.
Where to Watch and Listen: Sadly, there will be no TV broadcast for this exhibition game. But don't worry, you can still catch all the action! Tune into 960 WSBT-AM in South Bend for the radio broadcast. SiriusXM will also be providing coverage on ACC Radio via channels 955 and 956. Unfortunately, there will be no livestream available.
A Look Back at the Rivalry: The Notre Dame-Butler series boasts a rich history, dating all the way back to 1909. Notre Dame holds a commanding 72-31 lead in the all-time series, including a 29-20 record at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The last time these teams clashed in a regular season game was during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament in Pittsburgh. Notre Dame emerged victorious in a thrilling 67-64 overtime battle, propelling them to the Sweet Sixteen in Cleveland.
However, the last meeting at Hinkle Fieldhouse was on February 15, 1995 – Notre Dame's final year as an independent program. Butler secured a 76-60 victory that day. Interestingly, the teams are already scheduled to meet again in an exhibition game at Purcell Pavilion before the 2026-27 season, ensuring this rekindled rivalry continues.
Players to Watch:
Notre Dame: Keep a close eye on freshman wing Jalen Haralson, a local Indiana talent from Anderson, who spent his first two high school seasons in nearby Fishers. At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Haralson is the highest-ranked recruit in the modern era of Notre Dame basketball. This five-star prospect and consensus Top 20 talent is also the first McDonald's All-American to commit to Notre Dame under Coach Shrewsberry. Expectations are sky-high, with many anticipating him to start at wing guard and possibly become only the second "one-and-done" player in program history, following in the footsteps of Blake Wesley (2022). Will the pressure be too much, or will Haralson live up to the hype?
Butler: On the Butler side, watch out for freshman Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor, a 6-6 forward who impressed this summer, averaging 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals while representing Team Canada at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland. Coach Thad Matta was so impressed by Oliogu-Elabor's athleticism that he reportedly almost fell out of his chair watching a highlight reel of the player's tip dunk. "Holy (cow), he's a freak athlete," Matta exclaimed. Oliogu-Elabor is one of eleven new faces on the Bulldogs' roster, signaling a new era for the program.
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Notre Dame's Upcoming Schedule:
- 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.
Final Thoughts:
This exhibition game is more than just a tune-up for the regular season. It's a chance to witness a classic rivalry reignited, a homecoming for Coach Shrewsberry, and a glimpse into the future of both programs. Will Notre Dame's highly touted freshman live up to the hype? Can Butler's revamped roster find success under Coach Matta? And perhaps the biggest question: Do exhibition games truly give us an accurate preview of the season to come, or are they just glorified scrimmages? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
