River City Classic To Feature UE And USI Basketball

A New Hoops Tradition Begins in Evansville

The University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana are teaming up with the Evansville Regional Sports Commission to launch the inaugural River City Classic, and it should be one of the biggest sporting events the city has seen in years.

The First Division I Meeting Between UE and USI

The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at 7pm inside the Ford Center. If you needed another reason to be excited about the game, here you go – this will be the first-ever regular-season Division I meeting between Evansville’s two Division I men’s basketball programs.

The River City Classic is managed and operated by the Evansville Regional Sports Commission. It brings both universities together under one roof in the heart of downtown while celebrating the city’s deep love for the game. Organizers are encouraging USI fans to sit on the south end of the Ford Center, while UE supporters are encouraged to fill the north end, creating what is expected to be an electric atmosphere.

Why the River City Classic Matters

Brandon McClish, Executive Director of the Evansville Regional Sports Commission, says the event perfectly reflects the organization’s mission of bringing high-quality sporting events to the region. He noted that thousands of people throughout the Tri-State have connections to both schools, making this a unique opportunity to celebrate those ties while providing a memorable experience for student-athletes and fans alike.

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The coaches are equally excited about the historic matchup. University of Evansville head coach David Ragland said the community has wanted to see these teams face off for a long time and called the Ford Center the perfect place to open the season. University of Southern Indiana head coach Stan Gouard echoed those sentiments, saying games between local teams always bring extra energy and provide a chance to shine a spotlight on Evansville and its strong basketball tradition.

Tickets for the public will go on sale July 15 through the Ford Center box office.