With the 2024-25 college basketball season in the rearview mirror, programs are preparing for 2025-26, and an early task involves building the schedule. The University of Evansville men’s team already has one confirmed early-season matchup with an in-state opponent: The Purple Aces will visit Purdue University in West Lafayette on Nov. 4.
But as yet, no game between UE and the University of Southern Indiana has been announced for 2025-26, or any other future season, despite community wishes that the two local universities compete on the hardwood.
Based on responses to questions asked by Evansville Living of both schools, it appears fans will continue to wait for the first-ever matchup between the Aces and Screaming Eagles as NCAA Division I opponents.
Athletic directors Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried of UE and Jon Mark Hall of USI both express interest in a basketball series — after all, the schools already compete in some other sports, such as the Mayor’s Cup men’s soccer game at the start of each fall semester. Sticking points remain in basketball, centering on the length of a series and whose home court would host the games. Siegfried and Hall elaborated in separate exchanges with Evansville Living.
Evansville Living: What can you tell us about the possibility of UE and USI playing one another? Will there be a matchup in the 2025-26 season?
Ziggy Siegfried: We remain open to the possibility of scheduling a game with USI in future years. We are committed to exploring options that make sense for both programs.
Jon Mark Hall: There is not a matchup scheduled at this time for 2025-26.
EL: It seems the impasse has centered on the number of games in the series and the locations, with USI wanting a straight home-and-home arrangement, and UE preferring an arrangement weighted toward Ford Center (either one game, or a 2-for-1). Where does this stand?
ZS: That’s accurate. Our priority is to host the game at the Ford Center, which offers significantly greater seating capacity. We are consistent with Ohio Valley Conference schools, including USI, where we pay a guaranteed amount in the neighborhood of $70,000 for a team from the OVC to play us one game at the Ford Center. The amount provided would equal more dollars for USI than we would make on ticket sales.
JMH: This is correct. USI would like to play a straight home-and-home series. We think it would be great for the city and both campuses. There has not been a formal proposal for the other options, but we have had cordial discussions and UE knows where we stand with things.
EL: Is there a chance of having a USI vs. UE game be part of an in-season tournament or showcase involving other teams?
ZS: We’re open to creative scheduling formats, including the possibility of a multi-team event. This has been explored in the past as a potential option.
JMH: That has been bounced around in the past but not discussed recently.
EL: How often do you hear calls from fans that this series take place?
ZS: There is consistent and passionate interest from both fan bases in seeing a UE vs. USI matchup. We value that enthusiasm, and it certainly plays a role in our ongoing discussions. I completely understand why USI would like to have a home-and-home type set-up for our games. I believe they also understand why we want the games to be played at the Ford Center.
JMH: I know the community would like for us to play and we feel the same way. We would like to play in every sport, and we have competed in men’s soccer, baseball, softball (scheduled for Feb. 12-13, 2025, but canceled due to weather issues), volleyball, swimming/diving, men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s cross country, and women’s cross country. I believe the only sports we haven’t competed in during our Division I transition period are men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and women’s soccer. Again, we would love to make all of those happen. (Editor’s note: USI began its transition to NCAA Division athletics with the 2022-23 season.)
EL: Since you both say you’d like your schools to play one another, what will it take to get this done?
ZS: It ultimately comes down to reaching an agreement that aligns with the competitive, financial, and scheduling goals of both programs. We believe what we have offered is fair, and we’re committed to continuing the dialogue. Candidly, Jon Mark Hall is someone I really enjoy working with. He is a talented AD and someone who works well with others.
JMH: Where we stand now, in order to get this done, we would need to agree on a home-and-home arrangement.
EL: What about the possibility of a women’s basketball series between the schools? Is that being discussed, as well?
ZS: Scheduling conversations for non-conference games typically take place between the head coaches of each program. While the men’s basketball series with USI has involved broader administrative discussions, that hasn’t been the case on the women’s side. I’m aware that our women’s basketball team has played USI in pre-season scrimmages in the past, but to my knowledge, there have not been any recent scheduling discussions between the two head coaches about a regular-season game.
JMH: This would be similar to the men’s situation. We would love to have a home-and-home series with UE. We think it would be great for women’s basketball in this community.
Editor’s note: UE and USI women’s basketball teams faced one another in exhibition games in 2012, 2013, and 2014; the Division I Aces prevailed over the then-Division II Screaming Eagles in all three matchups. The men’s teams also met regularly in a Community Classic exhibition series. The games in 2004, 2006, and 2008 were played at Roberts Municipal Stadium. The 2012 and 2019 contests were held at Ford Center. The Aces were victorious in all five matchups against the then-Division II Screaming Eagles.
