The Metro Conference has released its 2026‑27 men’s basketball schedule, a 20‑game conference slate that pits 13 schools against one another from early December through late February. The release highlights a balanced mix of home and away contests for each program, setting the stage for a competitive season across the league.
Key Matchups and Early Road Tests
Manhattan University’s Jaspers open the season at home on December 2, 2026, welcoming Saint Peter’s University Peacocks to the campus gym. After a brief bye on December 29, the team returns on New Year’s Day to face Merrimack College before traveling to Mount St. Mary’s on January 3, beginning a stretch that includes a quick turnaround to Quinnipiac on January 8.
The schedule is deliberately crafted to avoid long streaks of consecutive home or away games, ensuring the Jaspers will face each of the league’s four traditional rivals — Marist, Fairfield, Niagara and Canisius — exactly once. Sophomore guard Quron Elliott and teammate Ogjnen Stankovic will travel to Sacred Heart and Marist within a 72‑hour window starting January 10, adding a compact but intense early‑season road trip.
Mid‑season action sees the Jaspers host Rider on January 16, then make their first visit to Siena’s MVP Arena on January 18, before returning home for a January 22 rematch with Mount St. Mary’s. The early schedule also features a clash with Quinnipiac on January 8, continuing the team’s momentum after a 2025 MAAC Championship victory.
February’s Busy Stretch and Season Finale
February brings a busy road swing, with games at Iona on February 5, followed by back‑to‑back contests at Quinnipiac and Rider on the 11th and 13th. The Jaspers will host Iona Gaels on February 19 before traveling to Jersey City to face Saint Peter’s on February 22. The regular season concludes with a showdown against defending MAAC champions Siena Saints on February 26, a rematch that could influence seeding for the conference tournament.
The Metro Conference championships will be held in Atlantic City, NJ, on March 4, where all games will stream on ESPN+ with paid subscriptions, and statistics will be posted on GoJaspers.com. The Jaspers’ final regular‑season test against Siena will serve as a preview of what could be a deep run in the tournament.