Illinois–Indiana rivalry

The Illinois–Indiana rivalry is a college sports rivalry between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the Indiana University Hoosiers. The rivalry between these bordering-state schools dates back to 1899 when the Indiana Hoosiers joined the Big Ten Conference of which Illinois is a founding member. The rivalry is most prominent in men's basketball, where both teams are perennial "Final Four contenders" and combined have won several conference championships. In football, the rivalry is less intense, but notable for the two school's geographic proximity, the history and longevity of the series with 73 total meetings dating back to 1899 and their status as a previously "protected rivalry" in the Big Ten.

This multi-sports rivalry is further hallmarked by the two schools' similarities. Both schools are flagship universities in bordering states in the Midwest, both schools start with the letter "I", both schools are longtime members of the Big Ten Conference, both school's mascots are named after their respective state's demonym and both schools play their home football games in a stadium named "Memorial Stadium." Additionally, in basketball, the Indiana Hoosiers play their home games in Assembly Hall while the Illinois Fighting Illini play their home games in State Farm Arena, which was formerly named Assembly Hall.