Northwestern men’s basketball has unveiled its 2025–26 non-conference schedule, and on paper, it looks both manageable and intriguing. The Wildcats will play six games at Welsh-Ryan Arena, while facing five road contests away from Evanston. The “road” games tell an interesting story: four are on neutral sites, with two games in Chicago—DePaul at Wintrust Arena and Oklahoma State at the United Center. That setup means Northwestern won’t play in a true road environment outside of Big Ten play, a notable factor in preparing for March.
Beyond familiar foes DePaul and Butler, every other opponent is new compared to last year’s schedule. The Wildcats won’t see a single non-conference team that reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament, but there’s one caveat: Northwestern will travel to Ames for an exhibition against Iowa State, a 2025 NCAA participant that advanced to the second round. While that result won’t count in the standings, it could serve as a valuable measuring stick early on, gauging whether Chris Collins’ team is equipped to return to the tournament after missing it in 2024-25.
Butler (Dec. 20 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Northwestern’s rematch with Butler stands out on the schedule. Last season, the Wildcats stumbled against the Bulldogs at the Arizona Tip-Off in Tempe, a defeat that highlighted issues with offensive rhythm and late-game execution. This time, NU will have a chance at payback against Butler before the Christmas break. The Bulldogs secured the No. 27-ranked recruiting class, per 247Sports, two spots ahead of Northwestern at No. 29. For Collins’ group, the Butler game doubles as both a measuring stick and a chance to avenge a frustrating loss a year ago.
Greenbrier Tip-Off: Virginia (Nov. 21), South Carolina (Nov. 23)
This early-season event will bring two high-major challenges. Virginia, though not the powerhouse of its national championship days, remains one of the most disciplined defensive teams in the country. Former head coach Tony Bennett’s pack-line defense remains in spirit, and it has a way of dictating tempo, something Northwestern guards will need to crack. Two days later, NU will meet South Carolina for the first time in program history. The Gamecocks are rebuilding under Lamont Paris, but their athleticism and SEC style present a very different test compared to Virginia’s slow grind. Navigating this back-to-back stretch successfully could give the Wildcats a significant confidence boost. Two wins, and March feels a lot closer.
Oklahoma State (Nov. 27 at United Center)
Another first-time meeting awaits on Thanksgiving Day in Chicago. Oklahoma State missed the tournament last year but made it to the quarterfinals of the NIT Tournament. Having historically produced NBA talent (e.g., Cade Cunningham), the Cowboys would bring Big 12-level toughness under new head coach Steve Lutz. The neutral-site setup at the United Center should give Northwestern a favorable “home-away-from-home” feel, but it’s still a matchup that demands attention, especially against a physical OSU frontcourt.
Mercyhurst (Nov. 3), Boston University (Nov. 7),
The Cats will kick off their non-conference schedule against Mercyhurst at Evanston, marking another first-time matchup with a new opponent. The Lakers only moved up to Division I last year, making their trip to Welsh-Ryan a historic opportunity for the program. For Northwestern, though, it’s the kind of game that should serve as a warm-up more than a tough test.
Four days later, Northwestern and Boston University will face off on the court for the first time since 1959. In that sole game, the Wildcats won 78–74. A 66-year gap between contests makes this one of the quirkiest storylines on the schedule.
This schedule won’t blow anyone away, but that may be exactly what Northwestern needs. The Wildcats face several first-time opponents (Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Mercyhurst), along with traditional names like Virginia and Butler, creating a blend of manageable matchups and resume-building opportunities. At the same time, the lack of true road tests could leave questions about how well-prepared NU will be for the grind of the Big Ten.
On balance, it’s a non-conference slate that should bring Northwestern wins, but it also comes with unfamiliarity. That means Northwestern will need to avoid slips against lesser-known opponents while proving it can handle marquee moments against Butler, Virginia, and Oklahoma State. If Collins’ squad takes care of business, this schedule could be the springboard to an NCAA Tournament return.