Imagine two historic basketball rivals, once inseparable on the court, now reuniting after decades apart—what a thrilling comeback! That's the story we're diving into today as Notre Dame prepares to face off against Butler in their first exhibition matchup since 1995. Picture this: two elite Indiana institutions, just a two-and-a-half-hour drive along U.S. Route 31, used to clash annually—or even twice a year—for generations. But over time, their paths diverged. Now, on Friday, October 17, that changes when Notre Dame travels to Hinkle Fieldhouse for an exhibition game. And this is the part most people miss... it's not just any preseason scrimmage; it's a nod to their shared past and a chance to spark old rivalries anew.
Let me break this down for you if you're new to college basketball. An exhibition game is like a friendly warm-up before the real season starts—think of it as practice with an audience, where teams test strategies and chemistry without it counting toward official records. Notre Dame, now a powerhouse in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and Butler, a staple of the Big East, were once frequent foes. Back in 1995, when Notre Dame was still an independent program on the cusp of joining the Big East, Butler (then part of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference) claimed a 76-60 victory at Hinkle. Fast forward 30 years: Notre Dame bolted the Big East in 2013 for the ACC, while Butler solidified its spot in the Big East. This exhibition also brings personal nostalgia—Notre Dame's head coach Micah Shrewsberry returns to Butler, where he served as an assistant under Brad Stevens from 2007 to 2011.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some fans argue that bringing back old rivalries like this dilutes the excitement of conference play, questioning if these exhibitions distract from building new rivalries in the ACC. Others see it as a smart way to honor history and boost ticket sales. What do you think—is reviving dormant rivalries a stroke of genius or just nostalgia's folly?
Now, let's get to the nitty-gritty details for Notre Dame versus Butler:
- Date and Time: Kickoff is set for Friday, October 17, at 7 p.m. ET.
- Location: The iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, which seats about 9,100 fans—expect a lively atmosphere!
- Tickets: They're available, so grab yours if you're in the area.
For watching or listening:
- TV: Unfortunately, no television broadcast this time.
- Radio: Tune into 960 WSBT-AM from South Bend for live coverage.
- Streaming: Catch it on SiriusXM via ACC Radio, or on channels 955 and 956.
- Livestream: No official livestream, so radio or SiriusXM is your best bet.
Diving into the series history, which stretches all the way back to 1909, Notre Dame holds a commanding 72-31 overall lead, including a 29-20 edge at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Their last regular-season clash was in the 2015 NCAA Tournament's second round at Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center—Notre Dame edged Butler 67-64 in overtime to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 in Cleveland. This Hinkle reunion is their first since that 1995 win for Butler, and they've even got another exhibition lined up at Notre Dame's Purcell Pavilion before the 2026-27 season. To put this in perspective, these games help fans relive the intensity of classic matchups, much like how old rivalries in other sports keep fans coming back for more.
Keep an eye on these rising stars who could steal the show:
For Notre Dame: Freshman wing Jalen Haralson, hailing from Anderson, Indiana, and starting his high school journey at nearby Fishers, is a 6-foot-7, 220-pound phenom. Rated as the highest-ranked recruit in Notre Dame's modern history—a five-star, consensus Top 20 talent and the first McDonald's All-American under Coach Shrewsberry—he's poised to start at wing guard. With his potential, he could even follow in the footsteps of Blake Wesley (2022) as only the second one-and-done player in program history. For beginners, a "one-and-done" means a player leaves for the NBA after just one college season, highlighting Haralson's elite skills.
For Butler: Meet freshman Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor, a 6-6 forward who dazzled this summer at the FIBA U19 World Cup with Team Canada, averaging 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. Coach Thad Matta was so impressed by a highlight reel of Oliogu-Elabor's tip dunk that he nearly fell out of his chair, calling him a "freak athlete." He's one of 11 new faces on Butler's roster, which could make for an unpredictable and exciting game.
In other Notre Dame basketball news, check out these highlights: Their standing in the USA Today ACC preseason poll, the buzz around the inaugural Irish Jam at Eddy Street Commons (a fun promotional event showing real potential), why the current schedule might be a perfect fit for this team, Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua's optimism about the program, and introductions to key players like "Mr. Sunshine." Plus, there's an inspiring transfer story from women's basketball that reminds us of the human side of these sports journeys.
And this is the part most people miss... While these stories build hype, they also spark debate: Is the preseason focus on exhibitions and events overshadowing the grind of regular-season play? Fans, weigh in!
Here's the full Notre Dame basketball schedule to keep you in the loop:
- 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
What a packed season ahead! Do you agree that exhibitions like this Notre Dame-Butler clash are essential for building excitement, or do they risk watering down the thrill of conference battles? Drop your thoughts in the comments—let's discuss!
