The Big 12 announced the home and away designations for the 2026‑27 men’s basketball season this week, a move that immediately frames the upcoming schedule for Cincinnati.
For first‑year head coach Jerrod Calhoun, the designations are notably favorable, as the Bearcats will host three traditional powerhouses — Arizona, Kansas and Houston — on their home floor.
The toughest tests on the road will come against Iowa State and BYU, with the latter entering the season after losing key contributors AJ Dybantsa and Richie Saunders.
While the full slate of dates and tip‑off times will not be revealed until later this summer, the early outline already offers a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities that await the program.
A favorable slate for Calhoun's debut
The upcoming season presents a unique blend of home‑court advantage and testing road environments, setting the stage for Calhoun to shape his team’s identity early in his tenure.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Bearcats navigate this schedule, which could prove pivotal in determining the trajectory of the program under its new leadership.