LSU men’s basketball now knows what's ahead for the 2025-26 regular season after the program announced its 13-game nonconference schedule Friday.
The Tigers open the season Nov. 5 against Tarleton State at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Coach Matt McMahon's team will play its first five games at home and then will follow that with five consecutive games away from the PMAC, including four neutral-site contests.
LSU will play four power-conference teams, and its toughest matchup likely will be against Texas Tech on Dec. 7 in the Coast to Coast Challenge at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The Red Raiders return an AP second-team All-American in JT Toppin and are coming off an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers had an overall successful nonconference performance during the 2024 season, going 11-2 before they faced a Southeastern Conference opponent and finished the season 14-18 overall. They played five power-conference opponents last year in the first 13 games, including SMU, which they will play again this year.
LSU already has announced who it will face during SEC play. The first conference game is Jan. 3 at Texas A&M.
LSU’s full nonconference slate
Nov. 5 vs. Tarleton State
Nov. 10 vs. UNO
Nov. 13 vs. Florida International
Nov. 18 vs. Alcorn State
Nov. 21 vs. Omaha
Nov. 28 vs. Drake (neutral site)
Nov. 29 vs. DePaul or Georgia Tech (neutral site)
Dec. 3 at Boston College
Dec. 7 vs. Texas Tech (neutral site)
Dec. 13 vs. SMU (neutral site)
Dec. 19 vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Dec. 22 vs. Prairie View
Dec. 29 vs. Southern Miss