RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The UC Riverside men's basketball program has released its 2025–26 schedule, featuring high-profile road games at UCLA, BYU and New Mexico, and a full 18-game Big West Conference slate. The season marks the first under new head coach
Gus Argenal, who was hired in April to lead the Highlanders into a new era.
UC Riverside will play 13 regular-season nonconference games, including road trips to UCLA (Dec. 23), BYU (Dec. 13), New Mexico (Nov. 11), and St. Thomas (Dec. 20). The Highlanders also face Cal Baptist (Nov. 18) for the Crosstown Showdown and San Diego (Nov. 21) on the road, while hosting Grambling State (Nov. 24) and North Dakota (Nov. 15) at SRC Arena. Big West play begins Dec. 4 at UC Irvine, with the home conference opener set for Jan. 1 against Hawai'i.
"Our schedule this season will be extremely exciting and challenging for our group as we compete against quality teams across America," said coach Argenal. "Our goal is to play our best basketball in March and in Big West play, so it is imperative to use the nonconference as a way to create a great home court atmosphere along with learning to have success on the road. This is an exciting time of the year and I can't wait for the Highlander fans to have the opportunity to see this squad get started!"
Argenal takes the helm of a program coming off a 21-13 season, including a 14-6 record in conference play that secured the No. 3 seed in the Big West Championship. The Highlanders reached the 20-win mark for the third time in four years and earned their first-ever postseason berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The regular season concludes March 5 at Hawai'i. The Big West Championship will be held March 11–14 at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada.
To follow the full 2025–26 schedule and stay up to date click this
link.
