Louisville and Indiana set for Nov. 27 showdown to open Battle 4 Atlantis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- For schools separated by just a little more than 100 miles, the men's basketball teams from Louisville and Indiana are making a habit of meeting far from home.

A year ago, they met in The Empire Classic in New York City. And in November, they will get a noon matchup to open the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The game, on Nov. 27, will be televised by ESPN.

For Indiana, it will be a first chance to ratify some high expectations. The Hoosiers are ranked at No. 18 in ESPN's updated way-too-early Top 25, with the addition of Arizona center Omar Ballo, combined with the return of Malik Reneau giving IU an elite tandem down low.

Louisville, meanwhile, has raised its own expectations after an impressive showing in a couple of summer exhibitions in the Bahamas. The Cardinals have a wealth of depth, size and experience, and showed an ability to make three-pointers that could pose a problem for Indiana.

Those were Louisville's first games under new coach Pat Kelsey, who has built an entirely new roster since arriving from College of Charleston.

The teams will get either West Virginia or Gonzaga on Thanksgiving Day in games at noon and 2:30 p.m.

It will be Louisville's third trip to the event. The Cardinals are 4-2 in previous trips.

U of L also announced an opponent for its second exhibition slot. The Cardinals will face Spaulding University on Monday, Oct. 28. A time has not yet been set.