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The Kentucky - Indiana rivalry has been put on hold recently as the two teams have not met since the 2016 NCAA Tournament when the Hoosiers eliminated the Wildcats in the round of 32.
In fact, since 2010, the schools have met just four times with only two regular-season meetings. According to John Calipari on Thursday’s SEC Teleconference, he attempted to renew the rivalry with two games at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, but the Hoosiers said no.
Cal: Indiana turned down his proposal that two games in a new contract both be played in RCA Dome in Indianapolis. IU turned that down. So UK moved on.
— Jerry Tipton (@JerryTipton) June 27, 2019
After Indiana rejected the proposal, it seems not only did Calipari move on for the next two years, but perhaps up to half of the next decade.
Calipari asked what it would take for UK-Indiana series to be revived, says he thinks schedule is locked in for the next 4-5 years. UK trying to play in London in addition to all the other events. "Our stuff is pretty loaded. I don't see it happening anytime in the near future."
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) June 27, 2019
It is quite unfortunate that the college basketball world hasn’t seen many Wildcat - Hoosier battles in the last decade. Separated by just over three hours, the two schools have met 55 times with UK leading the series 32-25.
Both programs rank top six nationally in Final Four appearances and NCAA Tournament championships.
With meeting in the regular season seemingly not an option for the next 4-5 years, the only way for the two schools will square off would be in the NCAA Tournament, where Kentucky is 3-2 against the Hoosiers all-time.