Eastern Mennonite University Athletics said its men’s basketball team opens the 2026-27 season Friday, Nov. 6, at Mary Baldwin, with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The announcement was published Nov. 5.
The Royals’ home opener is set for Wednesday, Nov. 11, against Southern Virginia at 7 p.m., which the university designated as its Rowdy Royals event. EMU’s ODAC opener is scheduled for Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. against Batten, according to the announcement.
EMU said it finished last season 8-17 overall and 5-11 in the ODAC, placing ninth and missing the conference tournament. The team won three of its final six games and averaged 62 points and 32.9 rebounds per game, the university reported.
The announcement listed the Royals 10th in the ODAC preseason poll with 29 points. Head coach Melvin Felix is entering his ninth season, according to EMU Athletics.
Other dates highlighted by the university include a Feb. 3 game at Bridgewater, Senior Night against Shenandoah on Feb. 17, and the regular-season finale at Guilford on Feb. 20. The ODAC Tournament is scheduled for Feb. 24-28, 2027, the announcement said.
