Belmont University men’s basketball head coach Evan Bradds released the Bruins’ 2026-27 non-conference schedule Monday. The defending Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions return six core players and face up to 17 games against Q1/Q2 opposition, setting up another deep postseason run. More Sports News
Belmont Opens 2026-27 with Preseason Game at Duke
The Bruins play a preseason game at Duke on Oct. 8 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Bradds spent the 2025-26 season on the Duke coaching staff under head coach Jon Scheyer, and the game also reunites Belmont with former All-MVC forward Drew Scharnowski, now in his first season with the Blue Devils.
Regular Season Opener and Early Home Games
Belmont opens the regular season Nov. 2 at the Curb Event Center against Southern Indiana, the Screaming Eagles’ fifth year in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Bruins follow with a Nov. 5 home game against Centre before heading to Lipscomb for the 153rd Battle of the Boulevard. Belmont has won 20 of the last 23 meetings in the rivalry. Nic McClain scored 18 points with six assists in last season’s win over Lipscomb.
Belmont Hosts Furman Before Heading to Orlando
The Bruins host defending Southern Conference champion Furman on Nov. 14. Furman won 22 games last season. After a Nov. 18 home game against NAIA Union Commonwealth, Belmont travels to Orlando for the ESPN Events Invitational, playing three games Nov. 23-25 against a field that includes Akron, Appalachian State, St. Bonaventure, Wright State, and Yale.
December Non-Conference Slate Includes WKU, MTSU, UAB, and Charleston
December opens with a road trip to Western Kentucky — a series Belmont has won seven straight games in dating back to 1999-2000. The Bruins then host Middle Tennessee on Dec. 5, a rematch of last season’s 83-62 Belmont win in Murfreesboro. Belmont has won 13 of the last 17 in that series.
On Dec. 8, the Bruins travel to UAB, which went 20-win last season and finished fourth in the American Conference. Non-conference play wraps Dec. 14 at home against College of Charleston, a program now led by first-year head coach John Groce, who took Ohio, Illinois, and Akron to the NCAA Tournament. Belmont beat Charleston 96-73 last season with McClain posting a near triple-double.
Belmont’s Recent Program Success and Roster Outlook
The Bruins posted a 26-6 record last season, finished No. 55 in the Wins Above Bubble rankings, and earned national Top 25 poll votes for the 12th time in 16 seasons. Belmont is one of only three programs — alongside Gonzaga and Kansas — to win 20 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons. The program’s 166 wins over the last seven seasons rank 15th nationally.
The 2026-27 roster features six returning players, including Isaiah West, Bez Jenkins, Jack Smiley, and Eoin Dillon, along with eight newcomers.
Tickets and Broadcast Information
Season tickets covering all men’s and women’s home games are available at belmontbruins.com/tickets. Games can be heard on Belmont Bruins Radio and ESPN+. The complete schedule, including Missouri Valley Conference dates and broadcast details, will be announced at a later date.
Source: Belmont University Athletics
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