DOVER, Del.— Delaware State men's basketball announced its 2026-27 schedule, a slate that sends the Hornets on the road against three power-conference programs before Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play opens in January.

"Mark your calendars," said sixth-year head coach Stan Waterman. "The 2026-27 schedule is here. The Hornets have high expectations as our roster includes a talented recruiting class, key returners and a few transfer portal additions."

The non-conference slate includes road trips to Big East members Georgetown and UConn along with a return match up at Big Ten member Rutgers. Delaware State visits Georgetown at McDonough Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 10, travels to UConn on Tuesday, Dec. 15 and closes out the stretch at Rutgers' Jersey Mike's Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 29, a rematch of last season's meeting in Piscataway.

"Playing a difficult and challenging non-conference schedule highlighted by games with Big East powers Georgetown and UConn along with Big Ten power Rutgers should benefit the Hornets in preparation for MEAC competition come January," Waterman said.

Delaware State went 8-23 overall and 2-12 in MEAC play last season, finishing last in the conference standings after a 16-14, 8-6 third-place finish the year before. Waterman enters his sixth season at the helm after signing a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2027-28 season.

The Hornets open MEAC play Jan. 2 at Coppin State and play their first conference home game Jan. 11 against Howard at Memorial Hall in Dover, with games also against Norfolk State, Morgan State, North Carolina Central, South Carolina State and Maryland Eastern Shore.