The 2026‑27 Memphis basketball non‑conference schedule is nearly finalized, and the centerpiece will be the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas. The Tigers are slated to compete in a pod that also includes Mississippi State, Wake Forest and Penn State, a grouping that promises several marquee matchups early in the season.
A stacked Bahamas field
The other pod in the tournament features Xavier, Marquette, Texas A&M and Virginia, creating the possibility of a high‑stakes Big East showdown between Xavier and Marquette. To avoid that clash, the schedule could be tweaked, illustrating how seriously the coaching staff is weighing each opponent.
Memphis will play 14 non‑conference games and 18 games within the American Conference, beginning with a neutral‑site encounter against Iowa State on Nov. 2 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. That opening test will set the tone for a slate that includes ten previously reported non‑conference contests and at least three buy games against low‑major programs.
Coach Penny Hardaway has hinted at scheduling multiple preseason exhibition games against top‑tier programs, a strategy that aligns with the team's ambition to test itself against elite competition before conference play begins. The upcoming season therefore blends high‑profile road tests with carefully curated home matchups designed to build momentum.
Overall, the non‑conference schedule reflects a deliberate effort to balance challenging opponents with manageable contests, ensuring the Tigers enter conference play with both experience and confidence. Fans can expect a season that starts with a bang in the Bahamas and continues with a series of well‑curated tests across the country.