Butler University’s men’s basketball program is set to broaden its nonconference schedule for the 2026‑27 season, announcing two new opponents that will open the year in early November.
The Bulldogs will host Fairleigh Dickinson on November 4 before traveling to face Western Carolina on November 17, completing a quartet of games that also includes home-and‑away series with Lafayette and Bellarmine.
A schedule that balances opportunity and adversity
First‑year head coach Ronald Nored, who transitioned from a celebrated playing career to the sidelines, will use these early contests to experiment with lineups and establish a defensive identity before conference play begins.
Both new opponents arrive with modest recent records. Fairleigh Dickinson finished last season 11‑21 and was ranked No. 336 in the KenPom national standings, while Western Carolina went 15‑16 and held the No. 227 spot.
Despite the relatively light slate, the coaching staff views the matchups as valuable barometers. The games provide a chance to test depth, evaluate perimeter defense, and build chemistry in a low‑stakes environment.
The toughest tests, however, will surface later in the nonconference portion when Butler journeys to Chapel Hill to meet the University of North Carolina and later heads to Boise, Idaho, for a showdown at Boise State.
Those road games against traditional powerhouses are expected to be the most demanding challenges of the schedule, offering a early glimpse of how Nored’s squad measures up against elite competition.