ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The 2026-27 schedules have been released for both Griffon Men's and Women's Basketball with season tickets now available to purchase for Gold Coat Club Members.
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Women's Non-Conference Schedule Breakdown
The women's team, entering its second year under head coach Luke Scheidecker, opens the season on Nov. 6-7 on the road in the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at Kentucky Wesleyan in Owensboro with games against Gannon and Roosevelt scheduled.
Gannon was a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Atlantic Region tournament, going 29-5 last year. Altogether, the Griffon women will play six games against opponents who made the NCAA tournament last year. They'll also play five regional opponents in the non-con portion of the schedule.
The Griffon women then make an early season trip to Kearney, NE for the MIAA/NSIC Crossover Classic, facing Central Region foes Northern State and Minnesota-Crookston on Nov. 13-14.
Griffon Women's Basketball has its home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 17 against Harding at 5 p.m. Harding was the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Central Region tournament this past year.
The Griffon women then make a return trip to St. Joseph Civic Arena for the Central Region Showcase, facing more Central Region flavor in Ouachita Baptist and Wayne State College. The women also have a non-conference game on Wednesday, Dec. 9 against MidAmerica Nazarene.
Men's Non-Conference Schedule Breakdown
The men open their second season under head coach Brooks McKowen on Monday, Nov. 9, on the road at Quincy University. The Griffons come home the following week for the annual Hillyard Tipoff Classic on Nov. 13-14 with games against St. Cloud State and Minnesota-Duluth. Two teams who, like MoWest, made the NCAA Central Region tournament last season.
The Griffons will play a total of five teams who made the NCAA tournament last year.
MoWest then has an early trip to Maryville for the MIAA/NSIC Crossover at Bearcat Arena. The Griffons will take on NSIC foes Southwest Minnesota State and UMary on Nov. 20-21 before one last non-conference game at home on Thursday, Dec. 10 against Manhattan Christian.
MIAA Schedule Outlook for Both Teams
Both MoWest teams open conference play on Black Friday in Fort Smith, Arkansas, facing Arkansas-Fort Smith on Nov. 27 before going to Northeastern State on Nov. 29.
Griffon men's and women's basketball have their first MIAA home game on Thursday, Dec. 3 against Central Missouri. The men and women will also host Emporia State, Newman, Missouri Southern, Pittsburg State, Northeastern State, Arkansas-Fort Smith, Northwest Missouri State, Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney.
MIAA road games this year for both teams include Central Oklahoma, Rogers State, Fort Hays State, Nebraska-Kearney, Northwest, Newman, Pitt State and Missouri Southern.
Women's Season Outlook
Women's basketball went 15-16 last season with a 9-10 mark in MIAA play. The Griffons had a spectacular turnaround late in the season, winning nine of its last 11 games and reaching the MIAA tournament semifinals. Women's basketball returns three players from last year, including all-MIAA starters Mia Morel and Nakiya Harris, while welcoming 10 newcomers - four freshmen and six transfers.
Men's Season Outlook
Men's basketball is coming off of a 21-12 campaign, including a 12-7 mark in the MIAA and its first trip back to the NCAA tournament since 2021 and just the third appearance since 2010. It also marked the first 20-win season since 2003.
The Griffons bring back starters Gavin Hershberger and William Kiburis, along with five other returners, including Trey McKowen and Bode Goodman. Men's basketball also added eight new players this season - four freshmen and four transfers.
