Bellarmine drops 2025-26 basketball schedule loaded with Power 5 challenges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Doug Davenport’s first season as Bellarmine’s head coach will come with few soft landings. The Knights' 2025-26 men’s basketball schedule, officially unveiled Monday, features four Power 5 opponents and two SoCon alliance games, and its ASUN slate — with 15 games in Knights Hall.

The nonconference schedule alone will test Bellarmine early and often. After a home exhibition against Centre College on Oct. 29, the Knights open the regular season Nov. 3 on the road at Georgia. Just five days later, they head to Manhattan, Kansas, to face Kansas State.

"Everything we do as a program is focused on getting ourselves ready for ASUN play," Davenport said. "Making the schedule is no different. Taking on the likes of Georgia, Kansas State, Notre Dame and Kentucky will show us exactly where we stand as we prepare for conference play. All of these teams are very well coached and well resourced. We will have to be on it from the jump."

It won’t take long for the Knights — entering their fifth season as a Division I program — to find out where they stand. Three of their first five opponents are from Power 5 conferences, capped by a Nov. 19 trip to Notre Dame.

In between, Bellarmine has home games against Hanover (Nov. 12) and Wofford (Nov. 15). It will also play host to Midway (Dec. 3), Northern Kentucky (Dec. 13), and Chattanooga (Dec. 17) before the New Year. The Wofford and Chattanooga matchups come as part of the ASUN’s scheduling alliance with the Southern Conference.

Davenport’s team will also head to Lexington to face Kentucky on Dec. 23 and make stops at Northern Illinois (Nov. 29) and Murray State (Dec. 6). Over Thanksgiving weekend, they’ll play a neutral-site game against Houston Christian (Nov. 25), one day after facing The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.

"We're looking forward to traveling to a great city to play two like-level opponents," Davenport said. "Hopefully we’ll have plenty of scarlet and silver join us in Charleston."

Once conference play begins, Bellarmine opens at West Georgia on New Year’s Day and hosts Queens on Jan. 3. The 18-game ASUN schedule includes home games against Central Arkansas (Jan. 8), North Alabama (Jan. 10), West Georgia (Jan. 28), Queens (Jan. 31), Stetson (Feb. 5), Florida Gulf Coast (Feb. 7), Lipscomb (Feb. 18), Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 21), and Austin Peay (Feb. 28).

In total, Bellarmine will play 31 games, with 13 nonconference matchups before turning full attention to ASUN play. The ASUN Tournament is scheduled for March 4-8.

Season tickets: Fans interested in new season ticket plans can fill out the interest form here. Returning season ticket holders will select seats Sept. 22-24 and will be contacted via email with details.