Xavier University’s men’s basketball team will begin the 2026‑27 campaign on November 2, hosting Mount St. Mary’s at the Cintas Center. The Musketeers finished the previous season with a 15‑18 overall record, while the Mounties ended theirs at 15‑17. Both programs reached the First Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, setting the stage for a rematch that promises early excitement.
Head coach Richard Pitino, now in his second year with the Musketeers, will guide a roster that posted a 12‑6 record at home last season and went 7‑1 in non‑conference games at the Cintas Center. Pitino’s experience at the collegiate level adds a steady hand as the team prepares for a demanding slate of opponents.
A demanding non‑conference road ahead
The non‑conference schedule features a mix of road tests and neutral‑site tournaments. Xavier will travel to face Iowa in a home‑and‑home series, having dropped a road game to the Hawkeyes last year, and will also meet Texas A&M and the University of Virginia as part of the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. The lineup also includes contests against Eastern Michigan, Cleveland State, and a much‑anticipated Crosstown Shootout against the University of Cincinnati on December 5 at Fifth Third Arena.
In addition to the Battle 4 Atlantis, where Xavier will be grouped with Texas A&M and Virginia, the Musketeers are slated to participate in the 94th Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout, a historic rivalry that draws statewide attention. The full non‑conference schedule will be released this summer, but early indications suggest a rigorous test that could shape the team’s NCAA tournament aspirations.
Donny Lind has served as head coach at Mount St. Mary’s for the past two seasons, bringing a defensive mindset that helped the Mounties to a 15‑17 record last year. His team’s recent tournament experience adds another layer of competitiveness to the opening matchup, making the November 2 game a pivotal early barometer for both programs.