A Bold Non‑Conference Slate
UMass Lowell’s men’s basketball program has released its full slate for the 2026‑27 season, a schedule that blends regional rivalries with a demanding lineup of high‑profile opponents.
The campaign opens at home on November 2 against Rivier, setting the tone for a non‑conference slate that spans nine Division I conferences.
A highlight comes early as the team travels to face Merrimack on November 5 before returning to host Marist on November 8, marking the inaugural America East‑Metro Challenge.
Following that, a seven‑game road stretch begins with a showdown at Cincinnati on November 22, then continues through the Capital Thanksgiving Classic, where the River Hawks will meet American, Georgetown, Boston College and Sacred Heart across three consecutive days.
December brings a series of home contests against Stonehill, Fisher, Boston University and Emerson, after which the America East schedule kicks off on January 2 with a home‑and‑home series against New Hampshire.
The conference grind continues with matchups against Maine, NJIT, UMBC and Vermont, culminating on March 2 at the University at Albany, while the top eight teams will battle in the playoffs beginning March 6.
Coach Pat Duquette emphasized that the schedule is designed to test the team’s depth and prepare it for postseason contention, and fans can expect an exciting blend of home‑court advantage and travel challenges.