At long last, we have a full schedule for the NKU Norse this season! Surprisingly, the NC slate and the Horizon League games came out on the exact same date this year! Here’s a full look ahead at the schedule and initial thoughts on each program. For a reference point, NKU comes in at 184th in barttorvik’s early preseason projections.

UTEP (Field of 68 Tip-Off, Sioux Falls, SD) – 11/2/2026

This is the first ever matchup between the teams! A Part of the 24 hour marathon to kick off the college hoops season, this is a great game for the Norse. UTEP is 268th in the country per Barttorvik.com’s early projections.

South Dakota (Vermillion, SD) – 11/4/2026

This is the first leg of a home and home, so fans should see the Coyotes play in Highland Heights next season! South Dakota is currently projected at 284th in the country. The first matchup with South Dakota was in 1996, when NKU won 95-87.

Fun fact: NKU’s women’s team beat South Dakota in 2008 to win the title in DII.

Texas A&M (College Station, TX) – 11/6/2026

These two teams have played once before, with NKU battling tough with then top 10 ranked A&M, but falling 64-58. That game was December 19, 2017. The Aggies are projected at 44th currently.

Saint Louis (St. Louis, MO) – 11/10/2026

The Norse and the Billikens have never faced off against each other. Saint Louis is quickly becoming a midwest hoops power under Josh Schertz. They are projected at 31st right now.

Central Michigan (Highland Heights, KY) – 11/14/2026

In a rematch of last year’s game, the Norse host the Chippewas who project as 280th in the country. Last year’s Norse victory was the first meeting between the two schools.

Georgia Southern (Highland Heights, KY) – NKU MTE – 11/23/2026

Georgia Southern and Bellarmine will be up here as a part of the NKU MTE around Thanksgiving that returns this year! Southern projects at 220th nationally and this is the first matchup all time.

Bellarmine (Highland Heights, KY) – NKU MTE – 11/25/2026

NKU is 4-10 all time against the Knights, though, they’ve won two games in a row the past 2 seasons. Last year’s matchup was a thrilling 80-76 game in Louisville, and this year should be good. The Knights are projected at 285th nationally.

Defiance (Highland Heights, KY) – 12/8/2026

The Defiance Yellow Jackets have a new HC this year and are an NAIA team out of Defiance, Ohio. this is the first time NKU has played the Yellow Jackets. Defiance is located halfway between Toledo and Fort Wayne in Northwest OH.

SC State (Highland Heights, KY) – 12/11/2026

Projected to be among the worst college basketball teams this season, SC State comes in at 356 (out of 365). The Norse are 1-0 all time after their ugly defensive battle on 12/21/2024 (58-47).

East Tennessee State University (Junction City, TN) 12/15/2026

Sansom Sports Media has confirmed this is a buy game again this year, meaning NKU gets yet another 50-70K for a basketball game! ETSU lines up as the 140th team in the country per early projections, and will be an excellent test for the Norse again! NKU is 2-5 all- time vs. ETSU.

Harvard (Boston, MA) 12/20/2026

This is the first leg of a home and home, so fans should see the Crimson play in Highland Heights next season! Harvard projects as the 151st team in the country this season, and a favorite in the Ivy League.

NKU’s non-conference schedule is complete, but so is the Horizon League schedule. You can find it below! I understand that people want more home games, however, each buy game is between 50-70K in NKU’s pocket. That is a significant boost to the Norse as a whole. Additionally, instead of multiple different games against non-D1 opponents, the staff went out and got games that will help the team grow. They also balanced things by setting up two home and home series that will benefit Norse fans in the years to come. Finally, the UTEP game presents a massive opportunity to have a national spotlight on the Norse to open the year.

Here’s how the Horizon League lines up this season in projections:

• Wright State: 127
• RMU: 148
• Oakland: 175
• NKU: 184
• Green Bay: 218
• Youngstown State: 219
• Detroit Mercy: 221
• Milwaukee: 253
• Purdue Fort Wayne: 254
• Cleveland St: 317
• IU Indy: 320
• Northern Illinois: 335