2026-2027 Season Schedule Thread

[Portlandian]

UNCW would get some butts in seats.

 

[Mason2006Patriot]

Why havent we heard the full non conference schedule yet? Does it usually take this long?

 

[hoopsjunkie75]

Why havent we heard the full non conference schedule yet? Does it usually take this long?

Usually late August, to mid-September.

 

[mkaufman1]

I think KA and Tweeder are pulling your leg.
K & T, please say you are... please???

Ka most likely yes

Tweeder probably not

 

[KAOriginal]

If you have to "fill in " a game with a D3 school.....it only makes sense to get one from down the road that is THE CURRENT NATIONAL CHAMPION.

Besides, I think they would have a nicer fan base than some of our conference rivals.....

 

[Verdad]

If you have to "fill in " a game with a D3 school.....it only makes sense to get one from down the road that is THE CURRENT NATIONAL CHAMPION.

Besides, I think they would have a nicer fan base than some of our conference rivals.....

I don't hate the idea of Mary Wash, but not sure about home opener if we can get a bigger fish. If it's otherwise going to be a 300+ Net buy game - then yea, go with UMW.

 

[TweederGMU]

Ka most likely yes

Tweeder probably not

Haha... I've heard Shenandoah could be on our schedule and possibly the opener. My source is only about 75% right most of the time but let's see.

If not true I'm blocking him forever.

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

I’m sorry folks but I still vividly remember an article or paragraph by Andy Katz or one of them saying Cinderella no more after Randolph Macon beat us in 2006 or 2007. The risk of those headlines outweighs any reward.

 

[Ben Chwarmer]

I'm going to be kind and explain why Mason will never play a game at Coppin State and most likely never play at Morgan State, Loyola MD or Howard.

Mason is an Atlantic 10 team (considered high mid major), with mid major expectations of scheduling. The teams mentioned are MEAC or Patriot League schools that generally play buy games at mid major and above programs. These schools play the buy games for experience and to get their athletic departments money to help keep the lights on. There are always exceptions (like GW played at American), but for 95% of the time, thats how it is.

Coppin specifically plays buy games, because they have to use that money to help their program survive. In addition, Coppin is generally considered by NET and performance to be the worst team in D1 (generally anywhere from 350-365 in NET) and hasn't come anywhere close in recent years of breaking out of that area.

There isn't a chance in this landscape, how scheduling is done, that Mason is going to take a game at Coppin or any of these schools mentioned and provide a bus trip. If Tony ever scheduled a game like that I would be questioning my fan hood.

I agree with the premise but the a10 is not a one bid league for the past few years.

 

[mkaufman1]

I agree with the premise but the a10 is not a one bid league for the past few years.

Im confused. I was explaining why mason wont play at Coppin. I know the a10 gets multiple bids.

 

[GSII]

I’m sorry folks but I still vividly remember an article or paragraph by Andy Katz or one of them saying Cinderella no more after Randolph Macon beat us in 2006 or 2007. The risk of those headlines outweighs any reward.

Nov 2008. It was an exhibition and Andre Cornelius had just "found" his debit card.

 

[psyclone]

Nathan Mook piece on A10 non-conference scheduling:

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more A-10 Teams Loading Up Nonconference Slates as NCAA Tournament Expands​ Nathan Mook Jul 28 By: Matt Colvin With the regular season roughly four months away, teams across the country are deep into summer practice, and nonconference schedules are beginning to take clearer shape. Several Atlantic 10 programs have already taken a notably aggressive approach in building out their slates. That mindset comes at a critical time. With the NCAA Tournament expanding to 76 teams, the margin for at-large consideration widens slightly—but only for leagues willing to position themselves properly. For the A-10, which has received two or fewer bids in each of the last five seasons, this represents a significant opportunity to reestablish itself as a multi-bid conference. The urgency is especially apparent when examining the league’s recent postseason profile. Too often, the conference has lacked the volume of high-quality nonconference wins necessary to withstand the volatility of league play. That reality places even greater importance on November and December results, particularly for teams outside the top tier. The bottom half of the conference, in particular, must be more intentional in pursuing competitive opportunities—true road games, neutral-site events, and matchups against high-major opponents—to improve both NET positioning and overall résumé strength. At the top of the league, the standard-bearers are once again Saint Louis, Dayton, and vcu. Both Saint Louis and vcu are coming off Round of 32 appearances and were the conference’s only NCAA Tournament representatives last season, reinforcing their status as early frontrunners. Saint Louis has constructed a balanced and opportunistic schedule. A marquee neutral-site matchup against Missouri at the Enterprise Center gives the Billikens a chance to secure a high-visibility win, while home games against High Point and DePaul provide additional résumé-building opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, Saint Louis will travel to Saint Mary’s on November 20—an analytically valuable road test against a consistently strong mid-major program that should carry significant NET weight. vcu, meanwhile, may have the most high-upside opportunity of any A-10 team. The Rams will participate in the Maui Invitational, a premier early-season tournament that offers multiple chances for Quadrant 1-level wins. Beyond the exposure, success in Maui could dramatically elevate both vcu’s national profile and the perception of the conference as a whole. The Rams will also open their season on the road at Memphis, adding another high-quality test immediately out of the gate. Dayton is similarly embracing a challenging approach. The Flyers’ nonconference schedule includes matchups with Cincinnati, South Florida, Memphis, Liberty, and Florida State—a group that provides both high-major competition and potential at-large résumé boosters. If Dayton can navigate that slate successfully, it positions itself not only as an A-10 title contender but as a legitimate multi-bid driver for the conference. Beyond the league’s top tier, there are encouraging signs of progress. Programs that have historically struggled to build strong nonconference résumés are making more aggressive scheduling decisions. La Salle stands out in that regard, with a road trip to BYU on December 22 and a likely season opener at Houston on November 2. While those games present significant challenges, they also offer rare opportunities for résumé-defining wins—something the Explorers have lacked in recent seasons. Fordham, entering year two under Mike Magpayo, is taking a similar approach. Opening the season at Kansas on November 2 is a bold scheduling move that signals a willingness to embrace high-level competition. Even if victories are difficult to secure in those environments, the experience and potential NET benefits can prove valuable over the course of the season. George Mason is also making calculated additions, hosting South Florida while scheduling a road game at High Point. While not as high-profile as some of the other matchups, these games still reflect an emphasis on competitive balance and résumé development. As schedules continue to finalize, the broader mandate for the conference is clear. All 14 teams must prioritize quality over convenience. In an era where mid-majors are frequently judged through the lens of metrics like NET, strength of schedule, and Quadrant records, passive scheduling is no longer viable. The A-10 cannot rely solely on internal league strength to carry its NCAA Tournament case. Instead, the path forward requires collective buy-in. Top teams must capitalize on marquee opportunities, while the rest of the league must raise its baseline through more ambitious scheduling. If executed effectively, the combination of a deeper nonconference profile and the expanded tournament field could allow the Atlantic 10 to reclaim its status as a consistent multi-bid league.​