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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Men’s Basketball Announces Non-Conference Portion of 2026-27 Schedule
9/17/2026 1:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Entering into the third year under Head Coach John Jakus, the Florida Atlantic men's basketball team announced its 2026-27 non-conference schedule on Thursday. The slate includes a school-record eight non-conference home games, in-state rivalry matchups versus FIU and Florida Gulf Coast, and five games against teams that played in last season's NCAA or NIT tournaments.
"This is a challenging schedule with multiple postseason teams and some well-established basketball brands," said Jakus. "We'll be tested early with two NCAA Tournament teams to open the season, and we are thrilled to represent FAU in Hall of Fame Series Orlando against VCU and the inaugural Texas Legends College Classic with two marquee games. We have some new faces this year, but our fans are going to love this team, and I know our fans will be excited about this schedule."
The first opportunity for fans to see the '26-'27 Owls on Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena will be Paradise Madness, set for Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Following that are two home exhibitions: Wednesday, Oct. 21, hosting Keiser, and Sunday, Oct. 25, versus The Citadel.
The season opener takes place at home on Monday, Nov. 2, when the Owls battle LIU, one of three 2026 NCAA Tournament teams on the early portion of the schedule. The Sharks are defending Northeast Conference regular season and tournament champions, and this marks the first time the two programs have paired off against one another.
Following the opener, FAU travels to Dayton, Ohio, to face Wright State, another 2026 NCAA tourney team as Horizon League regular season and tournament champions. This matchup, on Nov. 6, is also the first meeting between the Owls and Raiders.
Five consecutive home contests are next, beginning with William & Mary (Nov. 11), and followed by Coastal Georgia (Nov. 14), coastal rival Florida Gulf Coast (Nov. 18) and Mercer (Nov. 24). The homestand wraps with a featured home matchup against Davidson – an NIT team from last season -- on Thanksgiving Weekend, Sunday, Nov. 29. That game marks just the second time facing the Wildcats in program history.
Two more road contests start the month of December, as the team travels south to take on FIU (Dec. 2) and then north, to upstate New York, playing St. Bonaventure (Dec. 5). A quick trip home to host Barry (Dec. 9) precedes the two previously announced showcases for the Owls.
The first is Hall of Fame Series Orlando, on Dec. 12, against VCU. The Rams are another March Madness 2026 squad, as they were Atlantic 10 co-regular season champions and eventual A-10 Tournament champs as well. Next is the Texas Legends College Classic in Frisco, an eight-team event that sees FAU face Loyola Chicago (Dec. 18) and Colorado State (Dec. 20).
The final matchup of the calendar year, to be played either Dec. 27 or Dec. 28, sees the Owls host South Florida Bible College back at The Elly.
"I'm thankful to start another season in Paradise," said Jakus. "It's a beautiful place to live and play the game we love. Please come out and enjoy FAU and this 2026-27 squad!"
2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule
SEASON TICKETS
Purchase your 2026-27 season tickets here. New customers wishing to purchase premium seating, or other areas, are encouraged to join the wait list or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
#WIP
"This is a challenging schedule with multiple postseason teams and some well-established basketball brands," said Jakus. "We'll be tested early with two NCAA Tournament teams to open the season, and we are thrilled to represent FAU in Hall of Fame Series Orlando against VCU and the inaugural Texas Legends College Classic with two marquee games. We have some new faces this year, but our fans are going to love this team, and I know our fans will be excited about this schedule."
The first opportunity for fans to see the '26-'27 Owls on Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena will be Paradise Madness, set for Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Following that are two home exhibitions: Wednesday, Oct. 21, hosting Keiser, and Sunday, Oct. 25, versus The Citadel.The season opener takes place at home on Monday, Nov. 2, when the Owls battle LIU, one of three 2026 NCAA Tournament teams on the early portion of the schedule. The Sharks are defending Northeast Conference regular season and tournament champions, and this marks the first time the two programs have paired off against one another.
Following the opener, FAU travels to Dayton, Ohio, to face Wright State, another 2026 NCAA tourney team as Horizon League regular season and tournament champions. This matchup, on Nov. 6, is also the first meeting between the Owls and Raiders.
Five consecutive home contests are next, beginning with William & Mary (Nov. 11), and followed by Coastal Georgia (Nov. 14), coastal rival Florida Gulf Coast (Nov. 18) and Mercer (Nov. 24). The homestand wraps with a featured home matchup against Davidson – an NIT team from last season -- on Thanksgiving Weekend, Sunday, Nov. 29. That game marks just the second time facing the Wildcats in program history.
Two more road contests start the month of December, as the team travels south to take on FIU (Dec. 2) and then north, to upstate New York, playing St. Bonaventure (Dec. 5). A quick trip home to host Barry (Dec. 9) precedes the two previously announced showcases for the Owls.
The first is Hall of Fame Series Orlando, on Dec. 12, against VCU. The Rams are another March Madness 2026 squad, as they were Atlantic 10 co-regular season champions and eventual A-10 Tournament champs as well. Next is the Texas Legends College Classic in Frisco, an eight-team event that sees FAU face Loyola Chicago (Dec. 18) and Colorado State (Dec. 20).
The final matchup of the calendar year, to be played either Dec. 27 or Dec. 28, sees the Owls host South Florida Bible College back at The Elly.
"I'm thankful to start another season in Paradise," said Jakus. "It's a beautiful place to live and play the game we love. Please come out and enjoy FAU and this 2026-27 squad!"
2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule
| Oct. 7 | Paradise Madness | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Oct. 21 | Keiser (Exhibition) | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Oct. 25 | The Citadel (Exhibition) | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Nov.2 | LIU | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Nov. 6 | at Wright State | Dayton, Ohio |
| Nov. 11 | William & Mary | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Nov. 14 | Coastal Georgia | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Nov. 18 | Florida Gulf Coast | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Nov. 24 | Mercer | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Nov. 29 | Dayton | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Dec. 2 | at FIU | Miami, Fla. |
| Dec. 5 | at St. Bonaventure, N.Y. | St. Bonaventure, N.Y. |
| Dec. 9 | Barry | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Dec. 12 | vs. VCU | Orlando, Fla. * |
| Dec. 18 | vs. Loyola Chicago | Frisco, Texas ^ |
| Dec. 20 | vs. Colorado State | Frisco, Texas ^ |
| Dec. 27/28 | SFBC | Boca Raton, Fla. |
| * Hall of Fame Series Orlando | ||
| ^ Texas Legends College Classic | ||
SEASON TICKETS
Purchase your 2026-27 season tickets here. New customers wishing to purchase premium seating, or other areas, are encouraged to join the wait list or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
#WIP
Thursday, September 17
Friday, September 11
Friday, September 11
Thursday, August 27