Mount St. Mary's University has released its 2026‑27 non‑conference men's basketball schedule, a slate that promises a mix of tradition, fresh challenges and opportunities for growth.
The Mountaineers will appear in eleven contests, five of which will be played at their home venue, Knott Arena, beginning with an exhibition that doubles as the season‑opening Catholic Clash against Navy on October 28.
A schedule that blends tradition and novelty
That meeting marks the 192nd edition of the historic rivalry and is notable for being the earliest November encounter between the two programs.
The team opens the regular season on November 2 against Xavier, a matchup that renews a series that last met in 1990.
New rivals and road trips
New faces on the schedule include Lehigh, Drexel and Western Michigan, each bringing a first‑time matchup or a return after several years, while the Mountaineers also travel to face Virginia Tech, Morgan State and Coppin State on the road.
The road trip extends to the Great Plains, where the squad will test itself against Creighton on December 15 and Nebraska two days later.
The final home non‑conference game is slated for December 20 against Central Penn State before the season winds down.
Beyond the games, the program notes its second‑place finish in the Metro Conference last year and highlights record attendance figures, underscoring strong local support.
Fans can secure their seats early, as season‑ticket renewals become available on August 18, with new purchases opening on September 8.