Navy Basketball Unveils 2026-27 Schedules as Both Programs Look to Build on Championship-Caliber Seasons

Both Navy basketball programs will enter the 2026-27 season with significant expectations after outstanding campaigns last winter.

The Naval Academy officially announced the schedules for its men’s and women’s basketball teams, setting up a winter that includes service academy rivalry games, major-conference road tests, the Veterans Classic and another run through the Patriot League.

The Navy women are coming off a 22-9 season and a Patriot League regular-season championship, while the men’s program finished 26-8, went 17-1 in conference play and reached a national postseason tournament for the first time since 1998.

That means 2026-27 will not simply be about rebuilding in Annapolis. Both programs have legitimate reasons to believe they can remain near the top of the Patriot League.

Navy women return the core of a championship team

Navy’s women’s program enters the season in particularly strong shape.

The Midshipmen return four of their five starters from the team that went a program-best 16-2 in Patriot League play last season. Navy also brings back 83 percent of its scoring and 78 percent of its minutes played.

That returning production is headlined by Zanai Barnett-Gay, the reigning Patriot League Player of the Year and an All-American. She will again be at the center of Navy’s championship hopes.

The Midshipmen also return Zoe Mesuch, who earned Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors, and Julianna Almeida, a third-team All-Patriot League selection.

Last year’s numbers demonstrate just how far the program has climbed. Navy finished 22-9 overall and 16-2 in the league, securing the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament before eventually advancing to the WBIT.

With nearly the entire core coming back, Navy should enter the season as one of the Patriot League’s primary championship contenders.

Challenging road starts immediately

There will not be much time for Navy to ease into the season.

The women open Nov. 2 at Mount St. Mary’s, creating an immediate matchup between two Maryland Division I programs.

Road games at Temple on Nov. 7 and James Madison on Nov. 11 follow before Navy finally returns to Annapolis for its home opener against service academy rival Air Force on Nov. 14.

That early stretch should provide Navy with a good indication of where it stands.

The Midshipmen then host Dickinson, North Carolina A&T, Old Dominion, UMBC and George Mason during the non-conference portion of the schedule.

For Maryland sports fans, the Dec. 3 matchup against UMBC stands out. It gives two of the state’s Division I programs an opportunity to meet in Annapolis before conference play begins.

Navy heading to the Bahamas

One of the most intriguing parts of the women’s schedule comes during Thanksgiving week.

Navy will participate in the Baha Mar Hoops Tournament in Nassau, Bahamas, with games scheduled for Nov. 23 and Nov. 25. The specific opponents were not listed on Navy’s schedule as of its Aug. 13 update.

The Midshipmen return home after the trip before finishing the non-conference schedule with two difficult ACC road games.

Navy visits Virginia on Dec. 13 and NC State on Dec. 20.

Those two games should provide excellent tests before Patriot League competition begins.

Patriot League title defense starts on the road

Navy opens conference play Dec. 30 at Lafayette before traveling to Bucknell on Jan. 2.

The Midshipmen’s first Patriot League home game comes Jan. 6 against Holy Cross, which finished second behind Navy in last year’s regular-season standings.

The Army-Navy rivalry again becomes one of the central features of the conference schedule.

Navy travels to West Point on Jan. 23 before Army visits Annapolis on Feb. 20.

The regular season concludes Feb. 26 against Lehigh at Alumni Hall.

The Patriot League women’s tournament begins March 1, with subsequent rounds scheduled for March 3, March 6 and March 9. Tournament games will be hosted by the higher-seeded team.

Navy Women’s Basketball 2026-27 Schedule

Non-Conference

• Nov. 2 — at Mount St. Mary’s — 6 p.m. — Emmitsburg, Md.
• Nov. 7 — at Temple — 7 p.m. — Philadelphia, Pa.
• Nov. 11 — at James Madison — 6 p.m. — Harrisonburg, Va.
• Nov. 14 — vs. Air Force — 1 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Nov. 16 — vs. Dickinson College — 7 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Nov. 20 — vs. North Carolina A&T — 6 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Nov. 23 — Baha Mar Hoops Tournament — Nassau, Bahamas
• Nov. 25 — Baha Mar Hoops Tournament — Nassau, Bahamas
• Nov. 30 — vs. Old Dominion — 7 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Dec. 3 — vs. UMBC — 7 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Dec. 7 — vs. George Mason — 7 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Dec. 13 — at Virginia — Noon — Charlottesville, Va.
• Dec. 20 — at NC State — Noon — Raleigh, N.C.

Patriot League

• Dec. 30 — at Lafayette — Easton, Pa.
• Jan. 2 — at Bucknell — Lewisburg, Pa.
• Jan. 6 — vs. Holy Cross — Annapolis, Md.
• Jan. 9 — vs. Boston University — Annapolis, Md.
• Jan. 13 — at Colgate — Hamilton, N.Y.
• Jan. 16 — at Lehigh — Bethlehem, Pa.
• Jan. 20 — vs. American — Annapolis, Md.
• Jan. 23 — at Army — West Point, N.Y.
• Jan. 27 — at Loyola Maryland — Baltimore, Md.
• Jan. 30 — vs. Colgate — Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 3 — vs. Bucknell — Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 6 — at Holy Cross — Worcester, Mass.
• Feb. 10 — vs. Loyola Maryland — Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 13 — at American — Washington, D.C.
• Feb. 17 — vs. Lafayette — Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 20 — vs. Army — Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 23 — at Boston University — Boston, Mass.
• Feb. 26 — vs. Lehigh — Annapolis, Md.

Postseason

• March 1 — Patriot League First Round
• March 3 — Patriot League Quarterfinals
• March 6 — Patriot League Semifinals
• March 9 — Patriot League Championship
• March 17-18 — NCAA Opening Round
• March 19-20 — NCAA First Round
• March 21-22 — NCAA Second Round

Navy lists the women’s schedule as current through Aug. 13, with additional details subject to change.

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Navy men look to follow historic 2025-26 campaign

The men’s program enters 2026-27 trying to build on one of its best seasons in decades.

Navy finished 26-8 overall and 17-1 in Patriot League play last season. The 17 league victories tied the Patriot League record for conference wins in a regular season, and Navy finished first in the standings.

The Midshipmen also earned an invitation to the NIT, marking the program’s first national postseason tournament appearance since 1998.

Maintaining that level will not be easy, but Navy retains several important pieces.

Cam Cole played in all 34 games last season and averaged 6.1 points while recording 55 assists.

Jinwoo Kim started 33 of 34 contests and averaged 9.8 points and 3.1 rebounds, while Jordan Pennick appeared in all 34 games, starting 20, while averaging 7.2 points and 2.1 rebounds.

That returning experience gives Navy a foundation after a season in which it dominated conference play.

George Washington opens the season

Like the women’s team, the men begin their season away from Annapolis.

Navy travels to Washington, D.C., to face George Washington on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

The Midshipmen then return home to face Delaware State on Nov. 5 and Central Pennsylvania College on Nov. 8.

Then comes one of Navy basketball’s signature annual events.

Veterans Classic returns to Alumni Hall

The Veterans Classic returns to Annapolis on Nov. 11.

South Florida and Saint Joseph’s meet at 3 p.m. before Navy faces Penn at 5:30 p.m.

The event has become one of the more recognizable early-season dates on Navy’s basketball calendar, bringing outside programs to the Naval Academy around Veterans Day.

Navy follows the Veterans Classic with a home game against Hampton on Nov. 14.

Georgetown highlights road schedule

One of the biggest non-conference games arrives four days later.

Navy travels to Washington to face Georgetown on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.

For a Navy program coming off a 26-win season, the trip represents an opportunity to measure itself against a Big East opponent.

The Midshipmen also travel to Rider, Fairfield, NJIT, Air Force and West Florida during the non-conference schedule.

The Dec. 6 matchup at Air Force provides the first service academy matchup of the season before the traditional Army games begin in Patriot League play.

Patriot League road goes through Navy again

After going 17-1 in the league last season, Navy will have a target on its back from the opening night of conference play.

The Midshipmen begin their Patriot League schedule at home against Lafayette on Dec. 30 and Bucknell on Jan. 2.

Navy travels to Army on Jan. 23.

The return game carries even greater significance.

Army visits Alumni Hall on Feb. 20 for the annual Star Game, giving Navy an opportunity to play one of college basketball’s most meaningful rivalry games on its home floor.

Another game Maryland basketball followers should circle is Navy’s home meeting against Loyola Maryland on Jan. 27. The Midshipmen travel to Baltimore for the rematch Feb. 10.

Navy concludes its regular season Feb. 27 at Lehigh.

Navy Men’s Basketball 2026-27 Schedule

Non-Conference

• Nov. 2 — at George Washington — 7 p.m. — Washington, D.C.
• Nov. 5 — vs. Delaware State — 7 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Nov. 8 — vs. Central Pennsylvania College — 1 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Nov. 11 — USF vs. Saint Joseph’s — 3 p.m. — Veterans Classic, Annapolis
• Nov. 11 — vs. Penn — 5:30 p.m. — Veterans Classic, Annapolis
• Nov. 14 — vs. Hampton — 4 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Nov. 18 — at Georgetown — 7 p.m. — Washington, D.C.
• Nov. 21 — at Rider — 2 p.m. — Lawrenceville, N.J.
• Nov. 24 — vs. Penn State Berks — 4:30 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.
• Nov. 27 — at Fairfield — 2 p.m. — Fairfield, Conn.
• Nov. 28 — vs. Central Connecticut State — 2 p.m. — Fairfield, Conn.
• Dec. 2 — at NJIT — 7 p.m. — Newark, N.J.
• Dec. 6 — at Air Force — 2 p.m. ET — USAF Academy, Colo.
• Dec. 13 — at West Florida — 1 p.m. ET — Pensacola, Fla.
• Dec. 19 — vs. Presbyterian — 2 p.m. — Annapolis, Md.

Patriot League

• Dec. 30 — vs. Lafayette — Annapolis, Md.
• Jan. 2 — vs. Bucknell — Annapolis, Md.
• Jan. 6 — at Holy Cross — Worcester, Mass.
• Jan. 9 — at Boston University — Boston, Mass.
• Jan. 13 — vs. Colgate — Annapolis, Md.
• Jan. 16 — vs. Lehigh — Annapolis, Md.
• Jan. 20 — at American — Washington, D.C.
• Jan. 23 — at Army — West Point, N.Y.
• Jan. 27 — vs. Loyola Maryland — Annapolis, Md.
• Jan. 30 — at Colgate — Hamilton, N.Y.
• Feb. 3 — at Bucknell — Lewisburg, Pa.
• Feb. 6 — vs. Holy Cross — Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 10 — at Loyola Maryland — Baltimore, Md.
• Feb. 13 — vs. American — Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 17 — at Lafayette — Easton, Pa.
• Feb. 20 — vs. Army — Star Game — Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 24 — vs. Boston University — Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 27 — at Lehigh — Bethlehem, Pa.

Postseason

• March 2 — Patriot League First Round
• March 4 — Patriot League Quarterfinal
• March 7 — Patriot League Semifinal
• March 10 — Patriot League Championship
• March 16-17 — NCAA Tournament First Four
• March 18-21 — NCAA Tournament First and Second Rounds

The men’s schedule is listed by Navy as current through Aug. 12 and remains subject to change.

MSB Take

There may not be many schools in the Patriot League entering 2026-27 with more momentum across both basketball programs than Navy.

The women’s team returns the overwhelming majority of a roster that already won the league’s regular-season championship. Barnett-Gay gives Navy a legitimate star, while Mesuch and Almeida provide proven support around her.

That makes games at Virginia and NC State especially intriguing. Navy should not need to approach those matchups simply as opportunities to gain experience. The Midshipmen have enough returning production to see how they measure up against strong ACC competition.

The men’s program faces a somewhat different challenge after its tremendous 26-8 campaign. Repeating a 17-1 Patriot League record is difficult under any circumstances, but Cole, Kim and Pennick give the Midshipmen experienced building blocks.

The Nov. 18 trip to Georgetown should tell us plenty about the men’s team early.

Then everything eventually circles back to Army.

Both Navy teams travel to West Point on Jan. 23 and host Army on Feb. 20, putting the rivalry directly in the middle of what could become another pair of Patriot League championship races.

After what both programs accomplished in 2025-26, expectations around Alumni Hall should be considerably higher this winter.

And based on the returning talent, those expectations appear justified.

Sources: Naval Academy Athletics and Patriot League.