MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The 2026-27 men's basketball season tips off Thursday in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, with two Southern States Athletic Conference teams opening up on the first day of the season and another three later in the weekend.

Two teams are ranked in the top 25 of the NAIA Preseason Poll with Loyola coming in at No. 14 and William Carey at No. 23. Dalton State, Faulkner and Life are all receiving votes.
 
The top 10 teams will qualify for the 2027 SSAC Men's Basketball Championship. The tournament begins February 23 and runs through February 27 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
 
Throughout the regular season and during the postseason, fans can stream matches for FREE at Urban Edge Network. 
 
2026-27 Season Openers
Thursday, October 22
#14 Loyola at (RV) LSU Alexandria
Point vs. Selma

Friday, October 23
ABAC vs. Beacon
Thomas vs. Georgia Southern East (at ABAC)

Saturday, October 24
Xavier at SUNO

Tuesday, October 27
(RV) Dalton State at Bryan
(RV) Life vs. Selma

Wednesday, October 28
Andrew vs. Georgia Southern East
Mobile vs. (RV) LSU Alexandria

Thursday, October 29
Blue Mountain vs. Rust
UT Southern vs. Oakwood

Friday, October 30
Brewton-Parker vs. (RV) Southeastern
(RV) Faulkner vs. Milligan
#23 William Carey vs. Talladega (at Faulkner)