Men's Basketball Releases Non-Conference Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball head coach Evan Bradds released the program's 2026-27 non-conference schedule Monday.
 
The schedule features a collection of area rivals and returning postseason teams as the defending Missouri Valley Conference regular season champion Bruins blend a nucleus of six returning core players with a talented collection of newcomers; the MVC is annually a Top 10 conference in the NCAA NET rankings, WAB rankings, and per noted statistician Ken Pomeroy.
 
In all, Belmont will have the chance to play up to 17 games against Q1/Q2 opposition based on the 2025-26 official NET rankings.
 
One of three programs to win 20 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons – alongside Gonzaga and Kansas – Belmont looks to continue momentum from last season where it posted a 26-6 record, finished No. 55 in the final Wins Above Bubble (WAB) ranking, and earned national Top 25 poll votes for the 12^th time in the last 16 seasons.
 
"People always told me scheduling wasn't easy, and they were right," Bradds said. "We are pleased with how everything came together. Our main objective was to prepare this year's team for Missouri Valley Conference play, and we feel as though this schedule does that. Our players and coaching staff have been working extremely hard on and off the court. I love being around our group every day and look forward to the upcoming season."
 
Belmont plays five-time National Champion Duke Oct. 8 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in a preseason game.
 
Coach Bradds served on the coaching staff of Duke head coach Jon Scheyer during the 2025-26 season. Belmont will also be reunited with All-MVC forward Drew Scharnowski who is in his first season at Duke.
 
Belmont opens the regular season Nov. 2 hosting Southern Indiana at the Curb Event Center. The Screaming Eagles enter year five in the Ohio Valley Conference.
 
After a Nov. 5 home date with Centre, Belmont plays at Lipscomb in the 153^rd Battle of the Boulevard. Nic McClain had 18 points and six assists in last season's victory at the Curb Event Center. Belmont has won 20 of the last 23 meetings in the series with Lipscomb.
 
Belmont hosts defending Southern Conference champion Furman Nov. 14. The Paladins won 22 games last season.
 
Following a Nov. 18 date with NAIA Union Commonwealth, Belmont heads to Orlando, Florida for the ESPN Events Invitational. The Bruins will play three games Nov. 23-25 in a field including Akron, Appalachian State, St. Bonaventure, Wright State, and Yale.
 
The calendar turns to December with a trip up I-65 to face Western Kentucky. The Bruins and Hilltoppers last faced each other Dec. 28, 2019, with Grayson Murphy's 11 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals leading Belmont to a 79-62 victory. Belmont has won seven consecutive games in the series dating back to the 1999-2000 season.
 
The Bruins welcome Middle Tennessee to the Curb Event Center Dec. 5. Belmont had 21 assists in last season's 83-62 victory in Murfreesboro. Belmont has won 13 of the last 17 meetings in the series
 
Belmont plays at UAB Dec. 8. The Blazers won 20 games last season and placed fourth in the American Conference standings. This marks the second meeting in series history, and first in over two decades.
 
The Bruins conclude non-conference play Dec. 14 vs. College of Charleston. McClain had a near triple-double as Belmont defeated the Cougars, 96-73, last season. College of Charleston is led by first-year head coach John Groce, who directed Ohio, Illinois, and Akron to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Bradds originally committed to Groce and Ohio before ultimately playing for Rick Byrd at Belmont.

Belmont's 166 wins over the last seven seasons ranks 15^th nationally.
 
Belmont's 56 conference wins over the last four seasons rank second in the MVC, one behind Bradley.
 
The Belmont roster features six returning players – including veterans Isaiah West, Bez Jenkins, Jack Smiley, and Eoin Dillon - and eight newcomers.
 
The complete 2026-27 schedule - including Missouri Valley Conference opponents, dates, times and broadcast information - will be released in the future.

The play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Steve Layman can be heard on Belmont Bruins Radio and ESPN+.
 
Belmont season tickets – which include the entire men's and women's basketball home schedule – are on sale now at belmontbruins.com/tickets. 
 
To become a Bruin Club member, contact Russell Grimm at (615) 460-5668 or russell.grimm@belmont.edu.
 
Belmont University men's basketball has been a postseason fixture for the last two decades, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 21 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (behind Gonzaga and Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga and Kansas) and 19 or more games in 21 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and San Diego State). Belmont is among select programs with two or more first-round selections in the NBA Draft over the last six years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 20 Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is the only NCAA Division I program to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of its existence. Belmont is the only NCAA Division I institution in America whose men's and women's basketball programs have won 20 or more games in 11 consecutive seasons.
 
How to Follow
Follow Belmont men's basketball on social media - @BelmontMBB on X, formerly Twitter and @belmont_mbb on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.