CEDAR CITY, Utah – A new chapter of Southern Utah men's basketball will begin this fall as the Thunderbirds embark on a 2026-27 schedule highlighted by marquee non-conference road tests and the program's return to the Big Sky Conference.
The Thunderbirds will get their first opportunity to take the floor Oct. 3, hosting Ottawa University Arizona in an exhibition contest at America First Event Center. The regular season officially tips off Nov. 2 when SUU welcomes West Coast Baptist to Cedar City.
Head Coach Rob Jeter Said
"We are excited about the schedule we have put together and the opportunities it will give our team to compete against some really good programs. The non-conference schedule will challenge us in a lot of different environments and help prepare us for Big Sky play. We are excited to be back in the conference, and opening with two league games at home will make it important for us to be ready right away. We are looking forward to getting the season started and seeing how this group responds to the challenges ahead."
Southern Utah will have plenty of opportunities to test itself away from home during the non-conference portion of the schedule, with road matchups against High Point, Wake Forest, Texas, Washington, San Jose State and Utah. The Thunderbirds will also play three games as part of the FIU MTE from Nov. 23-25 with potential contests against FIU, Long Beach State and Arkansas State.
SUU begins regular-season play with three straight games inside America First Event Center. Following the Nov. 2 opener against West Coast Baptist, the Thunderbirds will host Grace University on Nov. 5 and Bethesda University on Nov. 7.
The first road trip of the year will send Southern Utah across the country for a pair of games in North Carolina. SUU will visit High Point on Nov. 12 before making the short trip to Winston-Salem for a Nov. 14 matchup with Wake Forest.
Another major test awaits five days later when the Thunderbirds head to Austin for a Nov. 19 contest against Texas.
Southern Utah will spend Thanksgiving week in Florida, playing three games at the FIU MTE from Nov. 23-25.
December brings the beginning of a familiar journey for the Thunderbirds as Southern Utah officially returns to Big Sky Conference competition.
SUU will make its Big Sky return on its home floor, hosting Idaho State on Dec. 3 before Weber State visits America First Event Center on Dec. 5.
The Thunderbirds will then turn their attention back to non-conference competition for the remainder of December. Southern Utah travels to Washington on Dec. 8 and San Jose State on Dec. 12 before wrapping up the non-conference portion of the schedule against Utah in Salt Lake City on Dec. 22.
Conference competition resumes on New Year's Eve when SUU visits Eastern Washington. The Thunderbirds will remain on the road for a Jan. 2 matchup at Idaho before returning to Cedar City to host Northern Colorado on Jan. 7 and Portland State on Jan. 9.
The first of two in-state conference showdowns with Utah Tech will take place Jan. 16 in St. George. Southern Utah then returns home to host Montana State on Jan. 18.
A three-game road swing follows with stops at Montana on Jan. 25, Weber State on Jan. 28 and Idaho State on Jan. 30.
Southern Utah opens February back in Cedar City with Idaho visiting America First Event Center on Feb. 4, followed by Eastern Washington on Feb. 6.
The Thunderbirds will head to Flagstaff for a Feb. 8 matchup with Northern Arizona before returning home for the second meeting of the season with Utah Tech on Feb. 13.
One final three-game road swing will take SUU to Portland State on Feb. 18, Northern Colorado on Feb. 20 and Montana State on Feb. 22.
The regular season concludes in Cedar City, giving the Thunderbirds a pair of opportunities to play in front of their home crowd before postseason play. Northern Arizona comes to America First Event Center on Feb. 27 before Montana visits for the regular-season finale March 1.
Southern Utah will then set its sights on Boise, Idaho, where the Big Sky Men's Basketball Championship, Starch Madness, is scheduled for March 5-10.
The upcoming campaign marks Southern Utah's first season back in the Big Sky since 2021-22. The Thunderbirds competed in the conference for 10 seasons from 2012-22 before spending the past four years as a member of the Western Athletic Conference.
SUU's return brings back a collection of familiar matchups while adding another chapter to its in-state series with Utah Tech. The 20-game conference slate will send the Thunderbirds throughout the West while providing 10 opportunities to play Big Sky opponents at America First Event Center.
2026-27 Southern Utah Men's Basketball Schedule
Date Opponent Location
Oct. 3 Ottawa University Arizona - Exhibition Home
Nov. 2 West Coast Baptist Home
Nov. 5 Grace University Home
Nov. 7 Bethesda University Home
Nov. 12 High Point Away
Nov. 14 Wake Forest Away
Nov. 19 Texas Away
Nov. 23-25 FIU MTE - FIU, Long Beach State, Arkansas State TBD
Dec. 3 Idaho State* Home
Dec. 5 Weber State* Home
Dec. 8 Washington Away
Dec. 12 San Jose State Away
Dec. 22 Utah Away
Dec. 31 Eastern Washington* Away
Jan. 2 Idaho* Away
Jan. 7 Northern Colorado* Home
Jan. 9 Portland State* Home
Jan. 16 Utah Tech* Away
Jan. 18 Montana State* Home
Jan. 25 Montana* Away
Jan. 28 Weber State* Away
Jan. 30 Idaho State* Away
Feb. 4 Idaho* Home
Feb. 6 Eastern Washington* Home
Feb. 8 Northern Arizona* Away
Feb. 13 Utah Tech* Home
Feb. 18 Portland State* Away
Feb. 20 Northern Colorado* Away
Feb. 22 Montana State* Away
Feb. 27 Northern Arizona* Home
March 1 Montana* Home
March 5-10 Big Sky Championship - Starch Madness Boise, Idaho
*Big Sky Conference game
All dates are subject to change. Game times will be announced at a later date.
TICKETS
Season tickets and single-game tickets will be on sale soon and can be purchased here.
FOLLOW US
Stay up to date during the 2026-27 Southern Utah Men's Basketball season by following @SUUBasketball on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Basketball page on Facebook.
DONATE
To help support Thunderbirds athletics consider making a donation today! To learn more about how you can support click here.
