Season Overview
LSU unveiled its complete 2026‑27 men’s basketball slate on Monday, laying out a demanding non‑conference slate and a full SEC schedule that stretches into March.
The Tigers will host 19 games at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, giving the home crowd ample opportunities to cheer on the team.
Exhibition Beginnings
The season opens with three exhibition contests, the first of which is set for October 8 against McNeese State, a program that Will Wade guided to back‑to‑back NCAA Tournament appearances from 2023 to 2025.
LSU’s opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, when they host UNO at home before traveling to Spokane to meet Gonzaga on November 14, marking the program’s first ever meeting with the Bulldogs.
Non‑Conference Challenges
The non‑conference portion features a mix of mid‑major and power‑conference opponents. In addition to Gonzaga, the Tigers will test themselves against Houston on December 13 at the Toyota Center, a venue that has hosted at least 30‑win seasons for the Cougars each year since 2021‑22.
LSU will also compete in the Palm Springs Classic, where they are slated to face two of the three teams — SMU, Arizona State or Southern California — providing an early‑season gauge against strong competition.
December also includes home games against Hofstra and High Point; the latter earned a notable upset last season by defeating the No. 5 seed Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament.
SEC Play and Tournament
SEC competition begins on Saturday, January 2 and will run through Saturday, March 6, culminating in the SEC Tournament scheduled for March 10‑14 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
The full schedule reflects a blend of home‑court advantage, challenging road trips, and high‑profile matchups that should shape the Tigers’ campaign as they look to build on recent progress.