It is a massive weekend in Bloomington, but if you’re looking for the flagship men's basketball team to hit the floor today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, you’ve actually got a tiny bit more waiting to do. The Hoosiers just wrapped up a tough battle against Iowa yesterday, where they unfortunately fell 74-57 at home.
Right now, the energy isn't just focused on the hardwood; it's split between the upcoming hoops road trip and a historic football moment. If you're asking about the IU game today, the answer depends on which "IU" you're following and whether you mean a game or the massive championship festivities happening right now.
When is the next IU basketball game?
The Indiana men’s basketball team is currently in a regrouping phase after that Iowa loss. They don’t play today. Their next tip-off is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM EST.
They’ll be heading to Ann Arbor to take on the Michigan Wolverines. That one is a Peacock exclusive, so make sure your login is ready. It’s a big "get right" game for Mike Woodson’s squad. Big Ten play is a meat grinder this year, and dropping a home game to the Hawkeyes means the pressure is on to steal one on the road.
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If you are following the women's side or other campuses like IU Indy (formerly IUPUI), things are a bit different. The IU Indy men's tennis team actually opens their season today, January 18, with a home match against Eastern Kentucky at 7:00 PM.
The Massive IU Football Event Today
Let’s be real: Most people asking about IU today are caught up in the absolute insanity of the football program. We are living through history. The Hoosiers are 15-0. Read that again. 15-0.
While the CFP National Championship game against Miami isn’t until tomorrow (Monday, January 19 at 7:30 PM on ESPN), today is the day for the Big Red Warm Up.
If you are down in Miami for the game, or just following the hype:
- The Event: Big Red Warm Up / Fan Central festivities.
- Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST.
- Location: FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park, Miami.
- What’s happening: Clayton Anderson and Jerome Collins (from Straight No Chaser) are performing. It’s basically a massive pep rally for the biggest game in the history of Indiana University sports.
Breaking Down the Rest of the Sunday Schedule
If you just need a sports fix today and it has to be IU, wrestling and water polo are holding down the fort for the Hoosiers.
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- Wrestling: The Hoosiers have a meet today. These usually start in the early afternoon, often around 1:00 or 2:00 PM, depending on the opponent and venue.
- Women’s Water Polo: They are also active today as part of their early-season tournaments.
- IU Indy Tennis: As mentioned, the 7:00 PM first serve against Eastern Kentucky is the main "game" action happening today under the IU umbrella.
Why the Schedule Feels So Crowded
Honestly, it’s a weird time to be a Hoosier fan. Usually, January is 100% basketball season. You'd be worried about the rotation or how the guards are handling the press. But with the football team making this impossible run to the National Championship, the calendars are overlapping in ways we've never seen.
The basketball team's 2:00 PM FOX game yesterday was basically the appetizer for the travel day to Miami. Most of the fans who were at Assembly Hall yesterday are likely boarding flights or already in South Florida right now.
Looking Ahead: Key IU Dates This Week
- Monday, Jan 19: IU Football vs. Miami (National Championship) at 7:30 PM EST.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: IU Men's Basketball at Michigan at 7:00 PM EST (Peacock).
- Thursday, Jan 22: IU Women's Basketball is back in action.
- Friday, Jan 23: IU Men's Basketball at Rutgers at 6:00 PM EST (FS1).
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking for the game today, your best bet is to head to a local fan site or the official IU Athletics "Composite Schedule" page, which lists every single sport from rowing to tennis.
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For those prepping for the football championship tomorrow, make sure you've cleared your Monday night. Check your cable or streaming package for ESPN and consider downloading the ESPN App if you want to see the Marching Hundred's halftime show, as those aren't always shown on the main broadcast.
If you’re a basketball purist, take today to breathe. The Michigan game on Tuesday is going to be a high-intensity battle in the Crisler Center. You'll want to make sure your Peacock subscription hasn't lapsed, as the Big Ten's deal with NBC means several more IU games will be behind that digital wall this season, including the massive Purdue game coming up on January 27.
Stay tuned to the local Bloomington weather too—if you're heading to any watch parties at Assembly Hall for the football game tomorrow, doors usually open a couple of hours early, and those 10,000 rally towels will go fast.