Indiana vs. Arizona to make college hoops history on FOX

By John Fanta
FOX Sports College Basketball Writer

A history-making game is coming to FOX this winter.

The Las Vegas Clash will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 10 at MGM Grand Sports Arena, it was announced Tuesday, making it the first East Coast, prime-time college basketball game televised by a broadcast network during the regular season.

In addition to marking college basketball television history, it could be a top-25 matchup of two of the best teams in the Big Ten and Pac-12, as Indiana will battle Arizona.

The other matchup of the event — Washington State vs. UNLV — will tip off at 4:30 p.m ET and air on FS1.

“Our program is thrilled to have the opportunity to play Arizona in Las Vegas,” said Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson, whose team could be tabbed the preseason favorite in the Big Ten. “We have fans throughout the country who are looking forward to making this trip between Thanksgiving and Christmas and I love the fact that two programs that have won a national championship will meet for the very first time. It should be one of the top non-conference matchups prior to conference play starting.”

“Playing a high-level opponent like Indiana in Las Vegas will be a great opportunity for us and our fans,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “It will be a strong test against one of the preseason favorites from the Big Ten in an outstanding atmosphere. It’s one of those games that will have a special feeling around it and we are looking forward to it.”

About Indiana:

After averaging 18.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for the Hoosiers last season, Trayce Jackson-Davis returns to IU as the program’s all-time leading offensive rebounder. He’s trending toward becoming one of the program’s top-five scorers, rebounders and shot-blockers of all time, and has plans to win the Big Ten and compete for a national title, as he told FOX Sports earlier this summer.

With Race Thompson (11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game) back for a sixth season to play alongside Jackson-Davis in the frontcourt, Indiana will have plenty of experience in the paint. That’s a trend for the Hoosiers, who will return four starters from an NCAA Tournament team, including senior guard Xavier Johnson (12.1 points and 5.1 assists per game). 

There’s a great mix of talent for Woodson, as he and his staff have assembled a top-10 recruiting class. The Hoosiers will welcome five-star guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, one of the best backcourt players in the 2022 freshman class. He is…