Memphis Announces 2026‑27 Non‑Conference Slate
The centerpiece of the upcoming campaign is a first‑ever meeting with Evansville, scheduled for Nov. 22 at FedExForum. Memphis will cover a $90,000 guarantee to bring the Purple Aces to Memphis, using the contest as the final tune‑up before the team travels to the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
Later in the month, the Tigers will host Louisville on Nov. 15, continuing a series that pits two of the nation’s most storied programs against each other. A home‑and‑home agreement with Utah State will see the Aggies return to Memphis on Feb. 20, 2027, providing another high‑profile non‑conference test.
The season officially begins on Nov. 2 with a neutral‑site showdown against Iowa State in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In total, Memphis will navigate 14 non‑conference games before launching 18 American Conference contests, a balance that reflects the coaching staff’s emphasis on tough early‑season competition.
Coach Penny Hardaway has repeatedly emphasized the value of exposing his roster to elite opponents before conference play. He noted that the schedule includes multiple preseason exhibition games against nationally ranked programs, a strategy designed to accelerate the team’s development and prepare it for the rigors of league action.
Evansville arrives in Memphis with a 7‑25 record from the previous season and has not posted a winning mark since the 2017‑18 campaign, nor have they qualified for March Madness since 1999. The matchup therefore represents both a fresh challenge for the Tigers and a chance to showcase the program’s growth on a national stage before heading to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis.