The Sun Belt Conference, together with Appalachian State’s men’s basketball program, has released the full slate for the 2026‑27 season, a 18‑game journey that blends home‑court traditions with challenging road trips.
Under head coach Dustin Kerns, the Mountaineers enter the campaign riding a seven‑year stretch of sustained success, having compiled a 76‑49 record in Sun Belt play and captured a regular‑season title just last year.
A schedule that tests and rewards
The first test arrives on December 19, when App State travels to face Louisiana Tech, marking the team’s inaugural conference matchup as a full‑time member of the league.
Fans can circle New Year’s Eve for the home opener against Troy, a rematch of a 66‑44 victory on the road last season that set a tone of dominance at the Holmes Convocation Center.
The early schedule also includes a multi‑city road swing through South Alabama, Arkansas State and ULM, followed by a marquee divisional clash with Old Dominion on January 13.
Later in the month, the Mountaineers will host Georgia State and Coastal Carolina, and finish January with a home‑and‑home series against Old Dominion, culminating in a trip to Huntington to meet Marshall.
The season’s highlight may be the late‑February showdown with James Madison, a rematch of a recent thriller, and the final home battle against Southern Miss on February 6.
Beyond the calendar, the program’s narrative is punctuated by moments such as Myles Tate’s buzzer‑beating dunk that sealed a 60‑58 win over Old Dominion in February 2025, a reminder of the team’s knack for clutch performances.
With a streak of three consecutive double‑digit conference victories and a perfect record of never slipping below .500 in any of Kerns’ seven seasons, the Mountaineers are poised to add another chapter to a remarkable era.