SIU Men's Basketball Unveils 2026‑27 Nonconference slate
Southern Illinois University’s men’s basketball program has released its nonconference schedule for the 2026‑27 season, a slate that blends home‑court comfort with a series of road adventures. Head coach Scott Nagy announced the lineup, emphasizing the mix of familiar venues and challenging away trips.
The schedule guarantees five regular‑season home games at the Banterra Center, providing a familiar backdrop for the Salukis as they open the campaign. These home contests will be interspersed with road tests that include a trip to Kansas City to meet UMKC on November 6 and a neutral‑site contest in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 17.
A marquee event on the calendar is the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, scheduled for November 20‑23. The tournament will bring together several national programs, offering the Salukis a high‑profile platform early in the season.
The nonconference journey culminates with a road trip to Arizona State in Tempe, serving as the final test before conference play. Earlier in the month, the team will travel to face Portland State and Washington State after the Thanksgiving break, and will also meet Southeast Missouri State on December 9.
Exhibition games against Lindenwood and Tennessee Tech are set for October, giving the roster a chance to fine‑tune before the regular season opener at home against Maryville on November 2. The schedule also includes a road game at Little Rock against UALR, rounding out a demanding but exciting slate.