Wildcats' Nonconference Slate Features Record 6 Division I Home Games
8/10/2026 1:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Abilene Christian men's basketball team will welcome six Division I opponents to Moody Coliseum, a new program record, as part of a 16-game nonconference schedule, head coach Brette Tanner announced on Monday afternoon.
The Wildcats will play 18 home games, believed to be the most in ACU history, with 10 nonconference matchups and eight more in United Athletic Conference action during the 2026-27 season.
ACU will host former Southland Conference foes Lamar (Nov. 7), and Stephen F. Austin (Nov. 11), along with fellow of Church of Christ university Pepperdine (Dec. 1), South Dakota State (Dec. 5), and two games as part of the Unisun Sports alliance between the UAC and the Atlantic Sun: vs. North Florida on Dec. 31, and Jacksonville on Jan. 2.
The Wildcats also host McMurry, Southwestern Adventist, the University of Dallas and Hardin-Simmons.
ACU will travel to Boulder, Colo. to face the Colorado Buffaloes in the season lid-lifter on Nov. 2. Other games outside of Abilene are at Missouri State (Nov. 16), South Dakota State (Nov. 25), Utah (Dec. 13), Stetson (Dec. 19) and Florida Gulf Coast (Dec. 21).
The schedule features a rare home-and-home series in the same season with ACU and South Dakota State facing off twice. The Wildcats' game against Lamar begins a multi-year series against the Cardinals, while the contest against Pepperdine wraps up a home-and-home set.
The ACU men's team features a retooled lineup with 10 newcomers, including six with international playing experience. Starting 7-foot center Cade Hornecker and guard Yaniel Rivera are back for their final seasons in the Purple and White. The Wildcats reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 WAC Tournament and ranked top three in the NCAA in both turnovers forced per game and steals per game.
ACU Men's Basketball Nonconference Schedule
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