Troy University Athletics
Season Opener 2026-27 MAC-SBC Challenge Matchups Announced
7/2/2026 12:00:00 PM | Basketball (M), Basketball (W)
TROY, Ala. – With the extended deal for the MAC-SBC Challenge through 2028-29, the Troy basketball programs announced their 2026-27 season-opening matchups, set on Monday, Nov. 2. The men host UMass in Trojan Arena, while the women's team travels to face Kent State.
Last season, the Trojans finished 3-1 in the MAC-SBC Challenge, with the men winning their side of the challenge with a 14-12 record in the Sun Belt Conference. Meanwhile, the women's side saw a 13-13 draw.
Troy Men's Basketball vs. UMass – Trojan Arena
The Adam Howard era will officially begin at Trojan Arena when the men's program hosts UMass in the teams' first-ever meeting. The Minutemen are coming off a 17-16 campaign in which they finished 7-11 in the MAC and fell to both Marshall and Coastal Carolina in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
"We're excited to open the season at home in front of our fans," Howard said. "UMass has one of the most recognizable traditions in college basketball, and Coach Martin is a Hall of Fame-caliber coach who has won at every level. This matchup provides an outstanding early-season test, and we're confident Trojan fans will recognize the opportunity to host such a quality opponent and create a great home court advantage in Trojan Arena."
Troy swept its two contests in last year's MAC-SBC Challenge, defeating Kent State in overtime to open the season before knocking off Akron in a nationally televised matchup at Trojan Arena in February. The Trojans return Kerrington Kiel and Evan Griffin from last season's championship squad, while welcoming a talented group of newcomers including 2025-26 Sun Belt Preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Robert Davis Jr. as they look to capture a third consecutive Sun Belt title.
Troy Women's Basketball at Kent State – Memorial Athletic & Convocation Center
Chanda Rigby opens the 2026-27 season in the Memorial Athletic & Convocation Center for the team's first-ever road matchup with Kent State – Troy is 1-1 all-time against Kent State. Kent State finished its 2025-26 campaign at 15-16, 9-9 MAC. The Golden Flashes went 1-1 in the MAC-SBC Challenge, falling to James Madison before routing App State at home.
"I'm excited to learn that we will begin our 2026-27 season with Kent State," Rigby said. "They are a great program, and we will be tested early. It will be important to begin with a win."
The women's program comes off three consecutive postseason appearances after earning its first-ever bid to the WBIT last season. Troy earned 25 wins in 2025-26 to finish runner-up in the regular season and Sun Belt Tournament, tying the program record for wins in a season. They also tied UConn (scoring margin) as the only two teams to lead the nation in a statistical category for nine straight seasons, via rebounds per game. The Trojans return just three players from last year's roster in Detavia Salter, Shakirah Edwards and Saniya Jackson with 10 newcomers.
Last season, the Trojans finished 3-1 in the MAC-SBC Challenge, with the men winning their side of the challenge with a 14-12 record in the Sun Belt Conference. Meanwhile, the women's side saw a 13-13 draw.
Troy Men's Basketball vs. UMass – Trojan Arena
The Adam Howard era will officially begin at Trojan Arena when the men's program hosts UMass in the teams' first-ever meeting. The Minutemen are coming off a 17-16 campaign in which they finished 7-11 in the MAC and fell to both Marshall and Coastal Carolina in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
"We're excited to open the season at home in front of our fans," Howard said. "UMass has one of the most recognizable traditions in college basketball, and Coach Martin is a Hall of Fame-caliber coach who has won at every level. This matchup provides an outstanding early-season test, and we're confident Trojan fans will recognize the opportunity to host such a quality opponent and create a great home court advantage in Trojan Arena."
Troy swept its two contests in last year's MAC-SBC Challenge, defeating Kent State in overtime to open the season before knocking off Akron in a nationally televised matchup at Trojan Arena in February. The Trojans return Kerrington Kiel and Evan Griffin from last season's championship squad, while welcoming a talented group of newcomers including 2025-26 Sun Belt Preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Robert Davis Jr. as they look to capture a third consecutive Sun Belt title.
Troy Women's Basketball at Kent State – Memorial Athletic & Convocation Center
Chanda Rigby opens the 2026-27 season in the Memorial Athletic & Convocation Center for the team's first-ever road matchup with Kent State – Troy is 1-1 all-time against Kent State. Kent State finished its 2025-26 campaign at 15-16, 9-9 MAC. The Golden Flashes went 1-1 in the MAC-SBC Challenge, falling to James Madison before routing App State at home.
"I'm excited to learn that we will begin our 2026-27 season with Kent State," Rigby said. "They are a great program, and we will be tested early. It will be important to begin with a win."
The women's program comes off three consecutive postseason appearances after earning its first-ever bid to the WBIT last season. Troy earned 25 wins in 2025-26 to finish runner-up in the regular season and Sun Belt Tournament, tying the program record for wins in a season. They also tied UConn (scoring margin) as the only two teams to lead the nation in a statistical category for nine straight seasons, via rebounds per game. The Trojans return just three players from last year's roster in Detavia Salter, Shakirah Edwards and Saniya Jackson with 10 newcomers.
Players Mentioned
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/ Basketball (W)Monday, March 30
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Tuesday, March 10