The University of Louisiana at Monroe’s men’s basketball program has released its 2026‑27 schedule, marking the first full slate under head coach Ryan Cross since his arrival. The Warhawks will host 13 home contests inside the newly christened b1Bank Fant Coliseum, a venue that promises a fresh backdrop for the team’s push toward the postseason.
The season opens with a home showdown against Central Michigan on November 2, a matchup that forms part of the MAC/SBC Challenge and recalls the Warhawks’ 2023‑24 victory over the Chippewas. Following that opener, the team will embark on road trips to face Texas, Arizona State and LSU, while also testing themselves against non‑conference foes such as Texas A&M and TCU.
Conference play will see the Warhawks square off against Sun Belt rivals including Georgia State, Ole Miss and the Ragin’ Cajuns, a lineup designed to sharpen the squad for the rigors of league competition. The schedule also embeds several high‑profile road tests that could influence national perception as the team builds momentum.
Beyond the regular season, the Warhawks are slated to compete in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament scheduled for March 2‑8, 2027, in Pensacola, Florida. The event will serve as the culmination of a campaign that Cross describes as focused on “meaningful competition in March,” aiming to translate early‑season growth into a deep tournament run.
A schedule built for March
Cross and his staff have structured the calendar to peak at the right moment, balancing early non‑conference experiments with a rigorous conference slate that culminates in the March tournament. The emphasis on preparing for March reflects a broader ambition to contend for a postseason berth and to showcase the program’s progress under the new coaching era.