After a game between the men’s basketball programs was announced last month, the University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana have come to another agreement.
A future multi-year deal for both schools’ women’s basketball programs was announced on July 21. It is a four-game agreement beginning in 2027-28 where the host sites, Liberty Arena and the Ford Center, will rotate yearly, with USI hosting the first game.
While that will not be coming in the immediate future, it is more meaningful basketball for Southwestern Indiana to set their sights on.
The programs have met in exhibition contests and closed-door scrimmages in the past, but UE and USI have not had any regular-season battles since 1988. That changes now.
In a press release, USI coach Rick Stein said the following.
“We are excited to kick off a four-year series against the University of Evansville, starting here at Liberty Arena in 2027-28,” Stein said. “Getting a regular-season matchup started should be a fun and competitive experience for the city of Evansville and fans of both USI and UE.”
New UE coach Ben Wierzba also shared comment on the agreement.
“We’re excited to begin this series with USI, Wierzba said. “I think it’s something that’s important for the city of Evansville and for both programs. This series will bring out the best in everyone, and I know our fans will embrace it. We expect all four games to have tremendous energy, great crowds, and a competitive environment that showcases women’s basketball in Evansville.”
Where both programs are now
UE and USI are in quite different spots heading into the 2026-27 campaign. The Purple Aces are in a rebuild as year one of the Wierzba era is underway. Just four players return from last season’s roster, but Wierzba likes how his new group has been progressing thus far.
While things do look different personnel-wise, it will be interesting to see if the Purple Aces can carry any of the momentum garnered from their run to the Missouri Valley Conference championship in the spring.
As for Stein, he has been through this rodeo once or twice. The Screaming Eagles’ coach is entering year 28, and his roster is largely unchanged with 11 returning players.
They will have to fill the void left by all-conference guard Ali Saunders, but Stein hopes the continuity of his group will not only help that adaptation process but lead to their greatest brand of basketball appearing when March rolls around.
But in a game like this, with bragging rights on the line, all of that context will go out the window on game day. Two rosters sprinkled with Southwestern Indiana representation.
It is what the people have wanted; now they get it – twofold. Time will tell if this lives up to the billing, but it is sure to bring a level of excitement both the UE and USI communities can appreciate.
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville, USI agree to 4-game women’s basketball deal starting 2027-28
Reporting by Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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By Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press | USA TODAY Network
