Northwestern University has released its 2026‑27 non‑conference men’s basketball schedule, a 12‑game lineup that blends home fixtures at Welsh‑Ryan Arena with a handful of neutral‑site contests, among them two appearances at the ESPN Charleston Classic.
The season opens at home against Binghamton on November 2, 2026, and continues with a stretch of home games against Stony Brook (Nov 6), Boston University (Nov 9), DePaul (Nov 13) and Columbia (Nov 16). The Wildcats will also host Northeastern on November 27 before heading to Charleston, South Carolina, for the first round of the Charleston Classic on November 20 and a second game two days later.
After the Charleston swing, Northwestern travels to Salt Lake City for a December 5 showdown at the Delta Center against BYU, then returns to the Midwest for a December 16 home game versus Mercyhurst and a December 20 neutral‑site matchup with Oklahoma State at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The regular season wraps with a home contest against Chicago State on December 29.
Coaching continuity and roster changes
Veteran head coach Chris Collins, now in his 14th season as Sullivan‑Ubben Head Men’s Basketball Coach, will oversee a squad that features 11 newcomers, including six transfers and two overseas first‑year players, promising a dynamic mix of experience and fresh talent.
In addition to the regular slate, the Wildcats will stage two exhibition games — first at Illinois State on October 18 and later against Iowa State on October 25 at Welsh‑Ryan Arena — providing an early chance to fine‑tune their new‑look roster before the official opener.