A bold non‑conference agenda
Canisius College has released its 2026‑27 men’s basketball non‑conference schedule, a 12‑game slate that will see the Golden Griffins open the season on the road against Penn State on November 2. The matchup marks the first time since the 1984‑85 campaign that the Griffins begin with a Big Ten opponent, setting a high bar for the early stretch.
The early home portion of the schedule includes a November 7 showdown with St. Bonaventure, the 174th meeting in a series that stretches back nearly a century. It will be the tenth time the two schools meet at the Koessler Athletic Center, underscoring the long‑standing rivalry. Two days later, the Griffins host Division III Hiram before traveling to face Brown on November 12, a program that hasn't met the Griffins since the 2019‑20 season.
From November 20‑22, Canisius will host the Queen City Classic at the Koessler Athletic Center, inviting UAlbany, Mercyhurst and Western Illinois to the tournament. The event adds a festive atmosphere to the non‑conference slate and gives the team a chance to test new strategies against diverse opponents.
The Griffins will also venture to Chicago for the first time in the upcoming season, meeting UIC on November 29 and DePaul on December 22. A highly anticipated road test comes on December 16 at the JMA Wireless Dome, where they will square off with Syracuse in the 72nd meeting of a series that dates back to 1944‑45.
The non‑conference schedule culminates with games in Pittsburgh and Chicago before the team transitions to Metro Conference play, which begins in early December. The 2027 Metro Men’s Basketball Championship is slated for March 4‑9 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., promising a potential postseason showcase for the Griffins.