FIU MBB Announces 2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule

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FIU Men’s Basketball has announced its 2026-27 non-conference schedule, which features eight home games, five away games, and an exhibition game.

First day of October? Seems like a great day to release our non-con 🍂

🎟️https://t.co/Pw9sODJN22

📰: https://t.co/VJni8Ja0hp pic.twitter.com/uolUTZBX7C

— FIU Men's Basketball (@FIUHoops) October 1, 2026

Most of these teams are opponents that FIU has played against before.

Murray State – Exhibition

The 2026-27 NCAA season for the Panthers will begin with an exhibition matchup against Murray State on October 22nd.

FIU is 0-3 all-time against the Racers, having last played in 2009. The Racers finished last season at 20-13 but lost in their only games in both the Arch Madness quarterfinal and NIT first round.

New College of Florida – Home

FIU will host the New College of Florida in their season opener for their first-ever matchup on November 2nd.

The Mighty Banyans finished last season with a 2-14 record in the Sun Conference.

West Florida – Home

FIU plays UWF for the first time in program history on November 6th.

The Argonauts finished the 2025-26 season with a whopping 25-9 record, reaching the NCAA Division II Regional.

Florida Gulf Coast – Away

FIU and Florida Gulf Coast will square off on November 13th. The all-time series is tied at 8-8.

The Panthers beat the Eagles 89-83 last season. FGCU went 16-18 but reached the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament semifinals.

UAB – Away

FIU will play UAB for the first time since they left Conference USA on November 17th.

The Blazers went 20-12 last season and reached the American tournament quarterfinals. They beat the Panthers 76-72 in their last meeting on February 4, 2023.

Long Beach State – MTE Home

The first of their three Multiple-Team Events games will be held at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on November 23rd against Long Beach State.

FIU beat the Beach 85-74 in their only meeting on November 30, 1997. The Beach posted a 10-22 last season.

Southern Utah – MTE Home

FIU and Southern Utah will play each other on November 24th as part of the Multiple-Team Events. The Panthers are 0-3 in this series, dropping their last meeting 80-75 on November 9, 2024.

The Thunderbirds went 10-22 last season and reached the WAC tournament quarterfinals.

Arkansas State – MTE Home

The Panthers and Red Wolves previously played annually until FIU left for Conference USA in 2013. FIU and Arkansas State will close out MTE play on November 25th.

FIU has an 8-19 record in this series but is on a two-game winning streak. The Red Wolves finished 20-12 record last season, reaching the third round of the Sun Belt tournament.

Florida Atlantic – Home

As previously announced, FIU and Florida Atlantic will square off on December 2nd in Miami. The Panthers own a slight 28-27 head-to-head record.

Backyard basketball is BACK in the 305 🌴😤

SEASON TICKETS 🎟️: https://t.co/Pw9sODJN22 pic.twitter.com/dW7zwofnZJ

— FIU Men's Basketball (@FIUHoops) September 30, 2026

Both teams last met on December 4, 2024, when the Owls beat the Panthers 88-77. FAU went 18-15 last season, reaching the second round of the American tournament.

Jacksonville – Away

For the third time, the Panthers will face the Dolphins in Jacksonville on December 5th. The series history is tied at one apiece.

The Dolphins finished with a 12-20 record last season, losing in the first round of the ASUN Men’s Basketball Championship. FIU beat Jacksonville at home on December 6 of last season, 88-65.

Xavier – Away

FIU will play Xavier for the first time since the winter of 1988 on December 12th. The Panthers dropped both contests that season in their only meetings to date.

The Musketeers finished last season with a 15-18 record and reached the Big East tournament quarterfinals.

Central Florida – Away

FIU and UCF will play in Orlando on December 16th. The Panthers are 13-9 all-time against the Knights but lost 85-62 in their last matchup on November 6, 2023.

Central Florida finished 21-12 last winter, reaching both the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals and the NCAA tournament first round.

Lehigh – Home

Lehigh will come to The Bank on December 20th. The Panthers lost 88-75 against the Mountain Hawks in their only matchup in 1991.

The Mountain Hawks finished 2025-26 with an 18-17 record as Patriot League tournament champions and an NCAA tournament First Four appearance.

TBA – Home

FIU’s final non-conference game will be played at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on December 21st. Further details on this game will be announced in the coming weeks.

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