Men's Basketball 2025-26 Schedule Release

TAMPA, Fla – The University of Tampa men's basketball team has announced its highly anticipated 2025–26 season schedule. Head coach Linc Darner enters his third season with the Spartans after leading them to a strong 20–11 record during the 2024–25 season. Under Darner, the team reached the Sunshine State Conference semifinals and earned an NCAA South Regional tournament appearance, and he'll look to build on that success this season.

Tampa's men's basketball team will kick off the season in November with three home games. Nov.15, the Spartans will have their home opener against Kentucky State at 4 p.m. On Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., the Staten Island Dolphins will visit Tampa, and on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m., a Thursday night matchup against Anderson (SC). The Spartans are excited to start the season on their home court at the lively Bob Martinez Athletics Center, giving fans an early chance to pack the stands and bring the energy.

Sunshine State Conference play begins shortly after with a road game in Fort Lauderdale against the reigning conference champions, Nova Southeastern, on Nov. 22 at 4 p.m. The Spartans will then compete back at home as they host the Tampa Thanksgiving Tournament, Nov. 28-29. They'll start the tournament by taking on Puerto Rico Mayaguez at 5 p.m. on Nov. 28, with the consolation and championship games to follow on Nov. 29 at 5 and 7 p.m.

As December begins, the Spartans will dive into conference play, hosting Eckerd on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Then hitting the road for two weeks, facing Rollins at 4 p.m. on Dec. 13 and Lynn at 5 p.m. on Dec. 16. Lynn proved to be one of the conference's stronger teams last season, making the road test an important challenge for the Spartans.

As the holiday season approaches, the University of Tampa will host the Tampa Classic at the Bob Martinez Center Dec. 20–21. During the Tampa Classic, the Spartans will face the University of Indianapolis on Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. and St. Thomas Aquinas on Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. The Tampa Classic will officially wrap up nonconference play.

In the new year, conference play will continue at home with a Florida Tech matchup on Jan. 3 at 4 p.m., then the Spartans will host Saint Leo on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m., followed by Barry on Jan. 10 at 4 p.m. The Spartans will then hit the road to West Palm Beach on Jan. 14 to take on the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish at 7:30 pm. A few days later, traveling to Daytona Beach on Jan. 17 to Embry-Riddle for a 6 p.m. tip-off. On Jan. 21, the Spartans return to Bob Martinez for a much-awaited rivalry matchup with Florida Southern at 7:30 p.m., looking to avenge two narrow losses to the Mocs last season and earn a statement win this year. Heading over to Melbourne, Fla., Jan. 24, the Spartans will face Florida Tech at 4 p.m. Closing out the month at home on Jan. 31 against Nova Southeastern at 4 p.m.

In February, the Spartans will finish regular-season play with four home games and four away games. On the road, they'll go over the bridge to Eckerd on Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m., then they'll go across the state to Barry on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. The last two road games include a second rivalry matchup in Lakeland, at Florida Southern, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m., and a trip to Saint Leo on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. At home, they'll face Embry-Riddle on Feb. 7 at 4 p.m., Rollins on Feb. 14 at 4 p.m., Lynn on Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m., and finally, to close the regular season, they'll see Palm Beach Atlantic on Feb. 28 at 4 p.m.

Following the regular season, the Spartans will aim to carry their momentum into the Sunshine State Conference Tournament from March 3–8. In this tournament, they will look to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, which begins with the NCAA South Regionals on March 13–17.

Fans can follow UTampa's Men's Basketball all season long in person at the Bob Martinez Center, on social media by following @utampaMBB, and online at TampaSpartans.com. Be sure to check out the full schedule for all the 2025-26 Spartan men's basketball games.