SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Get ready for a November to remember. San Diego State’s men’s basketball team is set to face a gauntlet of top-tier programs, including Michigan and Oregon, as part of the prestigious Players Era Festival in Las vegas.
San Diego State’s 2025-26 basketball schedule is packed with challenges, including early-season tests against national powers.
- The Aztecs will open their season against Michigan and Oregon in the Players Era Festival.
- Coach Brian Dutcher has crafted a demanding schedule, reflecting high expectations for the team.
- SDSU will skip road trips to San Jose State and Fresno State in the unbalanced Mountain West schedule.
- The team faces a tough stretch in late February and early March with multiple road games.
Coach Brian Dutcher is known for building a schedule that matches his team’s perceived strength.This year is no different, with a full slate of 32 games-two exhibitions, 10 nonconference matchups, and 20 conference contests-released all at once.
A Season of High-Stakes Tests
The Aztecs kick off their exhibition play at Viejas Arena against UCLA on Oct. 17, followed by a matchup with NIL-infused USD on Oct. 29.The regular season opener is Nov. 4 against Long Beach State.
The Players Era Festival, now in its second year, features 18 elite college basketball programs. San Diego State’s participation means they’ll be tested early, facing Michigan and Oregon during Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas. Their third opponent in the festival will depend on the outcomes of those initial games.
Beyond las Vegas, the aztecs have a marquee neutral-court game against Arizona in Phoenix’s PHX Arena on Dec. 20.
Navigating the Mountain West Maze
The move to a 20-game Mountain West schedule means teams must play before christmas. San Diego State hosts Air Force on Dec. 17, resuming conference play Dec. 30 at San Jose State. The regular season concludes March 7 at home against UNLV.
- Nov. 26 or 27: Opponent TBD (in Las Vegas)
- Dec. 3: UTAH VALLEY
- Dec. 10: LAMAR
- dec. 17: AIR FORCE*
- Dec. 20: Arizona (in phoenix)
- Dec. 22: WHITTIER
- Dec.30: at San Jose State*
- Jan. 3: BOISE STATE*
- Jan. 6: at Nevada*
- Jan. 10: FRESNO STATE*
- Jan. 13: at Wyoming*
- Jan. 17: NEW MEXICO*
- Jan.20: at grand Canyon*
- Jan. 24: at UNLV*
- Jan. 27: COLORADO STATE*
- Jan. 31: at Utah State*
- Feb. 3: WYOMING*
- Feb. 7: at Air Force*
- feb. 14: NEVADA*
- Feb. 17: GRAND CANYON*
- Feb.21: at Colorado State*
- Feb. 24: UTAH STATE*
- Feb. 28: at New Mexico*
- March 3: at Boise State*
- March 7: UNLV*
- March 11-14: Mountain West tournament, Las Vegas
* – Mountain West Conference game
