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KENNESAW, Ga. - A trip to Tuscaloosa for head coach Antoine Pettway's return to Alabama, two games in Mexico at the Cancun Challenge and regional matchups with Georgia State and South Florida highlight Kennesaw State men's basketball's 2026-27 non-conference schedule, released by the Owls on Monday.

The defending Conference USA champions will play seven non-conference home games in VyStar Arena, four true road contests and two neutral-site games in Cancun. The Owls will also play a pair of exhibitions before opening the regular season. The non-conference portion of the schedule features two teams that advanced to the 2026 NCAA Tournament in Alabama and South Florida.

"We're excited about the schedule we've put together for this season and the different challenges it will provide for our team," said Antoine Pettway. "Coming off a Conference USA championship, we know we will get everyone's best shot, and this schedule will help prepare us for another very competitive conference season. We have a strong group of returners and newcomers, and playing this mix of home games, road contests and neutral-site matchups will give us a great opportunity to grow together.

"Obviously, returning to Alabama for the first time as a head coach will be special for me, and I'm excited for our players to experience that environment. The Cancun Challenge will also be a great opportunity for our team, both on and off the court, while games against regional opponents such as Georgia State and South Florida are always ones we look forward to. We're also excited to have seven non-conference home games and hope Owl Nation will give us a great home-court advantage in VyStar Arena."

KSU will host in-state rival Mercer in an exhibition contest on Sunday, Oct. 11 before traveling to Carrollton to face West Georgia in its second exhibition on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The regular season opens with four straight home games, beginning against Midway on Monday, Nov. 2. The Owls will then welcome former Atlantic Sun rival Austin Peay on Friday, Nov. 6, followed by Winthrop on Tuesday, Nov. 10 and LaGrange on Thursday, Nov. 12.

One of the most anticipated games on the schedule comes Tuesday, Nov. 17 when the Owls travel to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama. The contest will mark Pettway's first trip back to his alma mater as a head coach. Pettway was a standout point guard for the Crimson Tide and helped lead Alabama to the 2004 Elite Eight before spending 15 seasons on the coaching staff. The teams also met a year ago in a neutral-site contest in Huntsville.

Kennesaw State returns home to host Southeastern Louisiana on Friday, Nov. 20, an on-campus contest that is also part of the Cancun Challenge. The Owls will then head to the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Cancun, Mexico, opening tournament play in the Riviera Division against Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 24. KSU will face either Charleston or former CUSA rival UTEP the following night.

The Owls close out the month of November at home against Florida A&M on Monday, Nov. 30. December begins with three straight road games, starting with the return contest against Austin Peay in Clarksville on Saturday, Dec. 5.

KSU will make the short trip down I-75 for its annual rivalry matchup with Georgia State on Wednesday, Dec. 9 in Atlanta. The Owls then travel to Tampa to face South Florida on Saturday, Dec. 19 before wrapping up non-conference play at home against Paine College on Tuesday, Dec. 22 in VyStar Arena.

Kennesaw State's full Conference USA schedule was released earlier this summer and is available HERE.

Kennesaw State enters the season after claiming the 2026 CUSA Championship and earning the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Owls return a strong core led by Trey Simpson, Kaden Rickard and Amir Taylor, while adding a talented group of newcomers that includes transfers Avery Thomas II, CJ Beaumont and Jacoby Hill, along with a highly regarded freshman class.

Season tickets for the 2026-27 season are now on sale and available HERE. 

The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
 

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