Red Wolves WBB Tip Off 2025-26 Campaign vs. Ball State
The defending Sun Belt Conference champions are back on the floor Monday night as the Arkansas State women’s basketball team tips off the 2025-26 season against Ball State at First National Bank Arena.
It marks the 52nd season of women’s basketball at Arkansas State and the fourth under head coach Destinee Rogers, who led the Red Wolves to their first-ever Sun Belt Tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance last year. A-State finished 21-11 overall and 15-3 in league play in 2024-25, closing the season with one of the most historic offensive runs in program history.
A-State returns five letterwinners and welcomes seven newcomers, including several transfers expected to make an immediate impact. The Red Wolves will rely on Preseason All-Sun Belt selections Crislyn Rose (First Team), Zyion Shannon (Second Team), and Wynter Rogers (Third Team) to anchor the squad.
Rose, last year’s Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player, averaged 10.7 points and 4.5 assists per game, while Shannon added 10.7 points and 1.9 steals. Rogers was a steady force in the paint, leading the team with 6.1 rebounds per contest.
The matchup is part of the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge, and it won’t come easy — Ball State, led by veteran coach Brady Sallee, returns after a 27-8 campaign that included a Mid-American Conference title and NCAA Tournament berth. The Cardinals were picked fourth in the MAC preseason poll and enter the year ranked No. 11 in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25, just eight spots ahead of Arkansas State at No. 19.
The Red Wolves, picked second in the Sun Belt preseason poll behind James Madison, will look to start the year strong and snap a two-game skid against MAC opponents.
A-State’s offensive identity remains one of the fastest and most dangerous in the nation. Last season, the Red Wolves shattered the school record with 334 made three-pointers, ranking among the top 10 nationally in threes made. Expect the Scarlet and Black to again lean into their pace and perimeter firepower while integrating new athletic depth.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+ and the EAB Red Wolves Sports Network with Brad Bobo and Carol Halford on the call.