Navy Basketball Unveils 2026‑27 Campaign
The Naval Academy announced its 2026‑27 men’s and women’s basketball schedules, confirming a slate that will keep the programs busy in Alumni Hall for more than a month. Season ticket packages are now on sale, offering fans the chance to secure seats for either the women’s or the combined men’s‑women’s lineup, with prices beginning at $135 for a women’s‑only ticket. For donors, premium floor seats are available, with up to eight seats reserved for contributions of $25,000 or more, adding a high‑profile element to the home‑court atmosphere. The women’s team returns four of its five starters from the 2025‑26 squad that captured the Patriot League regular‑season crown with a 16‑2 record. Among the returning starters are All‑American Zanai Barnett‑Gay and Rookie of the Year Zoe Mesuch, who are expected to anchor the offense. The men’s side enters the new season riding a 26‑8 record from 2025‑26, a campaign that featured a 17‑1 mark in league play and an NIT berth. Key returnees include Cam Cole, who contributed 6.1 points per game and 55 assists, Jinwoo Kim adding 9.8 points per game, and Jordan Pennick contributing 7.2 points per game. The schedule kicks off with road tests at George Washington on Nov. 2 and Delaware State on Nov. 5 before the team dives into Patriot League competition, beginning with a Dec. 30 showdown against Lafayette and a Jan. 2 matchup with Bucknell. Notable non‑conference dates include early‑season contests against Mount St. Mary’s, Temple, James Madison and Air Force, while the women’s side will also travel to the Bahamas for a three‑game series in late November. The 2026‑27 Patriot League Tournament is slated for March, with the first round on March 1, quarterfinals on March 3, semifinals on March 6 and the championship game on March 9, promising a crescendo of high‑stakes basketball.