Men's Basketball Set to Take on Tough Non-Conference Schedule
July 23, 2026 | Men's Basketball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Head coach Jeremy Luther and the Gardner-Webb men's basketball team have announced the non-conference portion of its 2026-27 schedule, including six games against Power-4 schools.
"I am really excited about our group," said Luther. "We have put together one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in the country and the most difficult schedule Gardner-Webb has had in my 14 years."
The Runnin' Bulldogs kick off the season with a trip to national power UCONN on November 2 before heading to Austin to face the Longhorns of Texas on November 5. Both teams were participants in the NCAA Tournament last season while the Huskies advanced to the National Title Game, ultimately falling to Michigan, 69-63.
Erskine visits Paul Porter Arena on November 11 as Gardner-Webb opens the home portion of the schedule before a trip down Interstate 26 to face the Gamecocks of South Carolina on November 14.
Consistent tournament contender UNC Greensboro brings its talents to Boiling Springs on November 18 before the Runnin' Bulldogs hit the road for games at VMI and Bowling Green on November 21 and 24, respectively.
The next four games will be played inside the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center as GWU plays host to North Carolina Central (Nov. 28), Bob Jones (Dec. 2), Queens University of Charlotte (Dec. 5), and Campbell (Dec. 12).
Following the longest home stretch of the season, Gardner-Webb takes back to the road for a contest at ACC opponent Wake Forest on December 15 followed by the final home game of the non-conference schedule, Toccoa Falls on December 18.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will then travel to Athens, Ga. to face Georgia on December 20 before closing out the non-conference schedule with a trip to face the Wildcats of Kentucky on December 28.
"We are going to be tested early and often to get us ready for Big South play," Luther added. "President Evans and Brendan Fahey have done a great job helping make our job more competitive across the board and I can't thank them enough. This is going to be an exciting year and we can't wait to get started."
