INDIANAPOLIS – Traditional men’s basketball powers collide in Circle City when Indiana battles Louisville on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The event, sponsored by CareSource, highlights the importance of promoting mental health conversations and resources. Veteran event promoter bdG Sports made the announcement Thursday.
The matchup will be televised by CBS and streamed live on Paramount+ with a scheduled start time of 2 p.m. ET.
The atmosphere inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, promises to be electric with the two fan bases seated in separate halves of the arena. The “split the house” ticket allotments will initially be sold through the ticket offices at both Indiana and Louisville. For the latest information, fans can visit www.CareSourceInvitational.com or follow @bdglobalsports on social media.
“We are excited to add Louisville to our non-conference slate,” Indiana head coach Darian DeVries said. “Playing this game in front of the Indianapolis fan base should provide an amazing atmosphere to showcase a great rivalry.”
DeVries has found success in the transfer portal since taking reigns of the program in mid-March. The Hoosiers’ portal class ranks 10th-best in the nation according to 247 Sports, highlighted by the additions of guards Tucker DeVries (West Virginia) and Lamar Wilkerson (Sam Houston State) and forward Reed Bailey (Davidson).
“We’ve focused on building a strong, competitive non-conference schedule and the addition of a formidable opponent like Indiana was a great fit,” Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey said. “Indianapolis, like Louisville, is a basketball-rich city and playing the game in Gainbridge Fieldhouse is sure to create an elite atmosphere that both fanbases can enjoy. I’m excited for our team to be part of this event come December.”
Kelsey, who became Louisville’s head coach prior to last season, earned Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year accolades in 2024-25 while directing the Cardinals to a 27-8 overall mark and a tie for second place in the league. He garnered high praise for retooling Louisville’s roster for the coming season with a portal class that ranks third best in the nation. Guards Ryan Conwell (Xavier), Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State) and Isaac McKneely (Virginia) highlight the incoming group.
In addition, the game will feature mental health messaging and share ways to support related organizations and resources available in the area.
Indiana holds a 12-10 advantage in the all-time series with Louisville. The Cardinals claimed an 89-61 victory over the Hoosiers last season at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. Indiana’s last win in the series came via a 74-66 decision during the 2023-24 campaign in a third-place matchup of the Empire Classic in New York. The storied programs have faced off three times in Indianapolis with Louisville earning two victories, including, most recently, a 77-62 result on New Year’s Eve 2016.
“CareSource is thrilled to be a part of a regular-season matchup between two powerhouse programs at such an elite venue,” said Scott Markovich, CareSource Executive Vice President. “Our involvement is driven by the opportunity to amplify awareness and support for adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention.”
A portion of ticket sales will benefit mental health organizations, including Jay’s Light, begun by Dayton Coach Anthony Grant and wife Chris to help families find resources to help with mental health struggles. Their daughter Jayda died in 2022 at the age of 20, as a result of mental illness.