Northwestern unveils 2026‑27 non‑conference slate
The Wildcats will open the season with a series of non‑conference contests that test their depth and prepare them for the grind of Big Ten play.
Eight of those games are slated for Welsh‑Ryan Arena, giving the home crowd a chance to follow a schedule that spans from early November through late December.
Home‑court highlights
The first home appearance comes on November 3 against Milwaukee, followed by Xavier on November 5, Northern Illinois on November 21, George Washington on December 18 and Eastern Illinois on December 21. Each of those matchups promises a distinct style of play, from the Mid‑American Conference’s Milwaukee to the Atlantic 10’s Xavier.
Road challenges and marquee matchups
The road portion takes the team to West Virginia on November 13, to Appalachian State on November 14, and to Abilene Christian on November 18 before a high‑profile showdown at Kansas on December 13 and a meeting with Loyola Chicago on December 16. Those away games include contests against teams that reached the postseason last year, underscoring the schedule’s competitive edge.
First‑year head coach Carla Berube inherits a roster that returns eight letterwinners from the previous campaign and adds seven newcomers, among them four Division I transfers and three freshmen. The blend of experience and fresh talent is intended to keep the Wildcats in the conversation for postseason qualification.