MVC Releases Men's Basketball Conference Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball will host 10 Missouri Valley Conference games at the Curb Event Center as the league office released its 2026-67 men's basketball conference schedule Thursday.
 
The defending MVC regular season champions - with 21 conference championships and 377 conference wins – second only to Gonzaga – over the past two decades, Belmont is poised for another unforgettable season under first-year head coach and program legend Evan Bradds.
 
"The challenge of a 20-game Missouri Valley Conference schedule is real," Bradds said. "We have immense respect for the players and coaches in this league. That being said, we have a number of players who have navigated this league and earned a conference championship – not to mention Kayden (Fish) and his experience winning a Big 12 championship. As long as we stay hungry, humble, and committed to the process each day, that sets the foundation for lasting success."
 
Belmont opens conference play Dec. 18 at Bradley. The Bruins and Braves have forged a compelling series since Belmont joined the MVC in 2022-23. Belmont has won four of the seven meetings, with four games decided by one possession or in overtime.
 
Belmont completes the trip with a Dec. 21 date at Illinois State. The Redbirds return all-conference players Chase Walker and Johnny Kinziger.
 
Following the conference home opener vs. Northern Iowa, Belmont rings in 2027 with a New Year's Day home game vs. UIC. The Flames were selected as the MVC preseason favorite by Blue Ribbon Yearbook and Bart Torvik.
 
Other schedule highlights include:

• Belmont has weekend home dates against area rivals Southern Illinois (Jan. 16) and Murray State (Feb. 20).
• Belmont will host Indiana State Jan. 18 on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as part of campus-wide commemorative programming.
• The regular season home finale will be Feb. 24 vs. Valparaiso.

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.
 
Belmont plays five-time National Champion Duke Oct. 8 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in a preseason game.
 
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 and eight newcomers, including three true freshmen.
 
The 2027 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament will take place March 4-7 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The play-by-play of Voice of the Bruins Steve Layman can be heard on Belmont Bruins Radio and ESPN+.
 
Complete tip times and broadcast information will be released in the future.
 
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.
 
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