A Grueling Schedule Looms
The Golden Knights enter the 2026‑27 season riding the momentum of a 29‑5 campaign that saw them finish as PSAC runners‑up and climb to No. 8 in the NCAA Division II rankings. Under head coach Cleve Wright, the team is now focused on using a packed slate of games to sharpen its identity before the conference tournament.
The schedule is anchored by 13 contests at the Highmark Events Center, featuring the Atlantic Region Challenge and the D2 Jackpot Classic. Early non‑conference stops include the D2 CCA Tip‑Off Classic in Owensboro, Kentucky, a trip to Las Vegas for another showcase, and a matchup against Missouri Western also in Owensboro.
Road trips will test the Knights against some of the nation’s elite. They are slated to meet Colorado Mesa (37‑2) and Vanguard (25‑6), both NCAA Tournament teams from the previous season, as well as Daemen, the East Coast Conference champion, and Glenville State, the Mountain East Conference runner‑up.
December marks the start of PSAC play with back‑to‑back battles against Kutztown and West Chester, followed by a Detroit visit to face Wayne State, a Midwest Regional semifinalist. The remainder of the conference slate includes home games against Seton Hill, Pitt‑Johnstown, California (Pa.), Edinboro, Lock Haven, Clarion, and a final showdown with IUP, the PSAC Championship Game rivals.
Coach Wright emphasizes that the tough non‑conference opponents are intentional, designed to prepare the team for the Atlantic Regional in March and, ultimately, the national championship game in late March. He stresses that the travel experiences and the need to gel on the road will be crucial for building the chemistry required to compete at the highest level.