A Look At Early Non-Conference Games For A-State MBB
The Ryan Pannone era of Arkansas State basketball will begin with a non-conference schedule designed to challenge the Red Wolves from the opening tip. While the full slate isn’t finalized, several marquee matchups have already been announced — and they’ll test A-State early and often.
The Red Wolves open the 2025–26 season away from home, beginning Nov. 3 at Ohio. That game kicks off a stretch of road contests that will see A-State visit Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 7 and Missouri State on Nov. 11.
Later in the month, the Red Wolves will head to Dallas for a showdown with SMU on Nov. 21 before finally returning to Jonesboro for their home opener on Dec. 2 against UT Arlington. Another road date at Rice on Dec. 13 will round out the front-loaded portion of the announced schedule.
Fans won’t have to wait until December to catch the Red Wolves at First National Bank Arena. Thanksgiving week brings a home multi-team event featuring back-to-back games against North Dakota State on Nov. 28 and Jacksonville State on Nov. 29.
Two additional high-profile non-conference games are still expected to be added. Arkansas State is in line to face perennial mid-major power Saint Mary’s on the road, along with an in-state rivalry matchup against Little Rock.
For first-year head coach Ryan Pannone, the early grind is an opportunity to mold his roster ahead of Sun Belt competition. From true road tests to a Thanksgiving showcase in Jonesboro, the announced non-conference schedule already provides a strong foundation for what promises to be a defining first season.