MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois Men's Basketball has announced its 2026-27 schedule, featuring a challenging non-conference slate, several marquee road matchups and a full 16-game Ohio Valley Conference schedule.
The Leathernecks open the season on the road against Valparaiso on Monday, Nov. 2, before traveling to Canton, Illinois, to face Houston Christian in a neutral-site matchup on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Western Illinois returns to Macomb for its home opener against Simpson College on Monday, Nov. 9, followed by a matchup with CSU Bakersfield on Thursday, Nov. 12. The Leathernecks then hit the road to face Minnesota on Monday, Nov. 16, before heading to Buffalo, New York, for the Queen City Classic.
At the Queen City Classic, Western Illinois will take on the University at Albany on Friday, Nov. 20, and Mercyhurst University on Saturday, Nov. 21, before closing the event against Canisius University on Sunday, Nov. 22.
The non conference schedule continues with road contests against Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 28, Houston Christian on Monday, Nov. 30, and Indiana on Thursday, Dec. 3. Western Illinois returns home in December to host St. Ambrose on Dec. 8, Tennessee State on Dec. 11 and East-West on Dec. 21. The Leathernecks will also travel to Iowa on Sunday, Dec. 13, before closing out the calendar year against Culver-Stockton on Dec. 30.
Western Illinois opens Ohio Valley Conference play at home against Tennessee State on Friday, Dec. 11, before returning to conference action following the holiday break against SIUE on Saturday, Jan. 2.
The Leathernecks begin January with a road trip to Tennessee State on Jan. 7 and Southeast Missouri on Jan. 9. Western Illinois then returns to Western Hall for a two-game homestand against Eastern Illinois on Jan. 14 and UT Martin on Jan. 16.
The conference schedule continues with road games against Morehead State on Jan. 21 and Southern Indiana on Jan. 23. The Leathernecks return home to face Southeast Missouri on Jan. 28 before traveling to SIUE on Jan. 30.
Western Illinois opens February on the road against UT Martin on Feb. 4 before hosting Lindenwood on Feb. 11 and Morehead State on Feb. 13. The Leathernecks then travel to Eastern Illinois on Feb. 18 before returning to Western Hall to host Southern Indiana on Feb. 25. Western Illinois closes the regular season on the road against Lindenwood on Saturday, Feb. 27.
The 2027 Ohio Valley Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament is scheduled for March 3-6 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
All dates and times are subject to change. For the complete schedule and updates throughout the season, visit GoLeathernecks.com.
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