Belmont University’s women’s basketball program has released its 2026‑27 non‑conference schedule, a slate that pits the Bruins against a who’s who of national contenders. The announcement underscores the team’s intent to test itself early against programs that reached the postseason a year ago.
A demanding non‑conference slate
The schedule includes eight opponents, seven of whom earned postseason berths in 2025‑26, among them Princeton, Tennessee, LSU and Vanderbilt. Five of those teams sit inside the top 50 of the NCAA Evaluation Tool rankings, with LSU at No. 3, Vanderbilt at No. 7, Tennessee at No. 25, Princeton at No. 37 and Columbia at No. 45.
The Bruins open the season on November 2 against Princeton, then host South Florida and Columbia before traveling to Nashville for a neutral‑site showdown with Vanderbilt at Bridgestone Arena. A few days later they head to the Bahamas for the Baha Mar Hoops tournament, where they will play two games over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Coach Bart Brooks said the demanding road tests are designed to sharpen the team’s depth and prepare it for the rigors of conference play. ‘We’re excited to test ourselves against elite programs,’ Brooks noted, adding that the mix of returning talent and fresh recruits will be put to the test early.
Belmont’s recent history adds context: the program has captured 11 conference titles in the past decade, posted 20‑plus wins in each of the last 11 seasons, and maintained a 16‑game winning streak against Lipscomb. The non‑conference slate is therefore seen as both a continuation of that excellence and a new challenge.