MORAGA, Calif. —
As the college basketball season approaches, Saint Mary’s is thrilled to unveil its non-conference schedule for the 2025-26 season. This schedule showcases a range of talented teams across the country, aimed at preparing the Gaels for their quest to secure a fourth consecutive WCC Title. Altogether, the Gaels’ non-conference opponents posted a combined record of 241-133 last year, including eight teams that participated in postseason tournaments and three that clinched their conference regular-season titles. Below is the complete schedule:
October 18 – @ Arizona (exhibition)
October 26 – @ Ole Miss (exhibition)
November 3 – St. Thomas
November 7 – Chattanooga
November 11 – Ohio
November 14 – North Texas
November 19 – Arkansas State
November 22 – UC Merced
November 26 – Wichita State (Battle 4 Atlantis MTE)
November 27 – Virginia Tech/Colorado State (Battle 4 Atlantis MTE)
November 28 – 3rd game TBD (Battle 4 Atlantis MTE)
December 7 – @ Davidson
December 14 – Boise State (Idaho Falls)
December 19 – Florida Atlantic
December 22 – Northern Iowa
EXCELLENT EXHIBITIONS
Before commencing the regular season, the Gaels will engage in two exhibition matches against Power Four teams. They will first head to Tucson to face the Arizona Wildcats, who finished third in their inaugural Big 12 season and reached the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year. The following weekend, they will compete against Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels recently made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2025. These exhibition games will serve as an essential gauge for the Gaels’ squad. The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball teams are now permitted to play up to two preseason exhibition games against any four-year institution without needing a waiver, making this opportunity possible.
THE NIT-TY GRITTY
Although Saint Mary’s does not face any NCAA Tournament teams in their non-conference schedule (excluding exhibitions and potential Battle 4 Atlantis opponents), they will compete against six teams that participated in last year’s NIT. Notably, Chattanooga, the previous NIT champion, will be a challenger again this season. Following their matchup with Chattanooga, the Gaels will square off against North Texas, an NIT Semifinalist last year, and Arkansas State, who faced North Texas in the second round. Additionally, Wichita State, Florida Atlantic, and Northern Iowa also aim to improve on their previous NIT performances. Furthermore, the Gaels will encounter 2025 NIT participants San Francisco and Santa Clara in their conference, bringing the total NIT opponents from last year to eight.
FAMILIAR FACES, NEW PLACES
This season, the Gaels will encounter some new head coaches. North Texas has appointed Daniyal Robinson as their new head coach after Ross Hodge took a position at West Virginia. Robinson previously led a Cleveland State team that the Gaels faced during the 2023-24 season. Similarly, Arkansas State has a new head coach, Ryan Pannone, who succeeded Bryan Hodgson after his move to South Florida. Pannone was an assistant at Alabama, where he gained insights into the Gaels while preparing for last year’s NCAA Tournament.
TURN THOSE WATCHES AHEAD
The Gaels last played a regular-season game in the Eastern Time Zone in 2018 against Western Kentucky. This year, they will not only participate in the Battle 4 Atlantis but also play a true road game on the East Coast against Davidson. The last time they played twice in the Eastern Time Zone during the regular season dates back to 2008.
FIRST TIME FOES
This season marks the inaugural matchups for the Gaels against four opponents: St. Thomas, Arkansas State, UC Merced, and Florida Atlantic. St. Thomas recently transitioned to Division I, having previously been an NCAA DIII team, and achieved 20 wins last year. Arkansas State is coming off their first conference title in two decades and aims to continue their success under new head coach Ryan Pannone. UC Merced, now in their first DII season after previously being an NAIA school, won their conference last year. Lastly, Florida Atlantic is remembered for its historic Final Four run in 2023 and returned to the NCAA Tournament the following year. Both coaches will have familiarity with each other, despite this being their first meeting.
Interested in season tickets? Click here to request yours for 2025-26! Single-game tickets will be available after the WCC schedule is released!
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