Women’s Basketball Announces Non-Conference Schedule
6/9/2025 10:28:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY – After a successful season that culminated in a WNIT championship title, the University at Buffalo women's basketball program now flips the page to the 2025-26 campaign as first-year head coach Kristen Sharkey announced the team's non-conference schedule on Monday.
The schedule, which features four teams that played in the postseason a year ago, is highlighted by a matchup with SEC powerhouse Kentucky in the home opener at Alumni Arena and a trip to Puerto Rico for the 2025 Puerto Rico Classic.
"We're excited for the opportunity to compete against a great program like Kentucky in our home arena," said Sharkey. "We will respect all and fear none. This will be a great challenge of our focus and intensity of purpose right from the jump. I can't wait to have Alumni Arena rocking on November 9!
"Our non-conference schedule is designed to challenge us early and often with a mix of programs that bring a variety of playing styles. From fast-paced offenses to physical defensive teams, we'll face tests that will reveal our identity and sharpen our toughness. These matchups are intentional to expose our team to high-level competition and prepare us for the grind of conference play."
For the fifth straight season, the Bulls will begin their season with an exhibition game against Daemen University on Sunday, October 26. Buffalo will open the regular season on the road as they travel to a to-be-determined opponent from the Sun Belt Conference on Monday, November 3 in the first game of the MAC-SBC Challenge.
UB will welcome Kentucky to Alumni Arena for the home opener in a marquee matinee on Sunday, November 9.
Buffalo will then travel to Burlington for a rematch with the 2025 America East champion and NCAA Tournament participant Vermont Catamounts, on Wednesday, November 12 before returning home to face off against Fordham University on Sunday, November 16.
The Bulls will then make the short trip to Big 4 foe St. Bonaventure on Wednesday, November 19 before heading out of the country as they will spend the Thanksgiving holiday week in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rico Classico on November 28-29.
Buffalo will return to Western New York to face off against the Niagara Purple Eagles on Wednesday, December 3 at Alumni Arena before making a trip to the Southern Tier for a rematch with the Binghamton Bearcats on Saturday, December 6.
After a break for finals week, the Bulls will travel to Texas for a pair of games against Tarleton State and Abilene Christian on December 19-20. Both teams made an appearance in the 2025 postseason WNIT, with the Wildcats advancing to the Super 16.
UB will then have one more non-conference game on Saturday, February 7 as they will host a to-be-determined opponent in game two of the MAC-SBC Challenge at Alumni Arena.
The MAC portion of the Bulls' schedule, as well as season ticket information, will be released at a later date.
For all the latest on UB women's basketball, follow @UBWomensBasketball on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
The schedule, which features four teams that played in the postseason a year ago, is highlighted by a matchup with SEC powerhouse Kentucky in the home opener at Alumni Arena and a trip to Puerto Rico for the 2025 Puerto Rico Classic.
"We're excited for the opportunity to compete against a great program like Kentucky in our home arena," said Sharkey. "We will respect all and fear none. This will be a great challenge of our focus and intensity of purpose right from the jump. I can't wait to have Alumni Arena rocking on November 9!
"Our non-conference schedule is designed to challenge us early and often with a mix of programs that bring a variety of playing styles. From fast-paced offenses to physical defensive teams, we'll face tests that will reveal our identity and sharpen our toughness. These matchups are intentional to expose our team to high-level competition and prepare us for the grind of conference play."
For the fifth straight season, the Bulls will begin their season with an exhibition game against Daemen University on Sunday, October 26. Buffalo will open the regular season on the road as they travel to a to-be-determined opponent from the Sun Belt Conference on Monday, November 3 in the first game of the MAC-SBC Challenge.
UB will welcome Kentucky to Alumni Arena for the home opener in a marquee matinee on Sunday, November 9.
Buffalo will then travel to Burlington for a rematch with the 2025 America East champion and NCAA Tournament participant Vermont Catamounts, on Wednesday, November 12 before returning home to face off against Fordham University on Sunday, November 16.
The Bulls will then make the short trip to Big 4 foe St. Bonaventure on Wednesday, November 19 before heading out of the country as they will spend the Thanksgiving holiday week in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rico Classico on November 28-29.
Buffalo will return to Western New York to face off against the Niagara Purple Eagles on Wednesday, December 3 at Alumni Arena before making a trip to the Southern Tier for a rematch with the Binghamton Bearcats on Saturday, December 6.
After a break for finals week, the Bulls will travel to Texas for a pair of games against Tarleton State and Abilene Christian on December 19-20. Both teams made an appearance in the 2025 postseason WNIT, with the Wildcats advancing to the Super 16.
UB will then have one more non-conference game on Saturday, February 7 as they will host a to-be-determined opponent in game two of the MAC-SBC Challenge at Alumni Arena.
The MAC portion of the Bulls' schedule, as well as season ticket information, will be released at a later date.
For all the latest on UB women's basketball, follow @UBWomensBasketball on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Basketball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
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