TYLER, TEXAS – Coming off a 15-11 season that included a nine and 11 mark in Lone Star Conference play, the UT Tyler Men's Basketball program has announced its 2026-27 schedule as head coach Doug Karleskint enters his first season leading the Patriots.

Coach Karleskint is looking to establish the Patriots as a contender in the Lone Star Conference in his inaugural season. He is hoping to bring the success he saw at Division 1 Abilene Christian and Division 2 Central Missouri to East Texas.

UT Tyler officially opens the 2026-27 season with a trip to Denver, Colorado, where the Patriots will take on Regis on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. CST before facing Westminster on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. CST.

The Patriots then begin a seven-game homestand at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center starting Nov. 17 as they host Arlington Baptist at 6 p.m. The homestand includes contests against Colorado School of Mines, MSU Denver, Jarvis Christian and Wiley.

Lone Star Conference play begins at home on Dec. 3 when the Patriots host Texas A&M-Kingsville at 7:30 p.m. for Holiday Hoopla and UT Health East Texas Night. UT Tyler will stay at home on Dec. 5 to face Texas A&M International at 3 p.m. for Military and First Responder Appreciation Day. The Patriots will then travel down to Austin as they take on St. Edward's Dec. 10 for a 7:30 p.m. showdown.

The Patriots will close the 2026 calendar year with their final non-conference matchup of the season as they host Southwestern Adventist Dec. 18 at 12 p.m.
UT Tyler will open the new year at home on Jan. 1 against UT Permian Basin at 7:30 p.m. before hosting Angelo State on Jan. 3 at 3 p.m.

The Patriots will then hit the road for contests at Sul Ross State and Western New Mexico Jan 7 and 9 before coming home for a four-game stretch starting Jan. 14 against St. Mary's for Hawaiian Night.

UT Tyler will host St. Edward's on Jan. 16 for 80's Night before welcoming Eastern New Mexico on Jan. 28 for Blue Out and Rep the Rose. They'll then take on West Texas A&M Jan. 30 for Youth Day and Diaper Derby at 3 p.m.

The Patriots will continue their February home slate on Feb. 6 against DBU at 3 p.m. for Pats for a Cause. Following road games at Oklahoma Christian, Cameron and DBU, UT Tyler will close the regular season at home on Feb. 20 against UT Dallas at 1 p.m. for Senior Day and Faculty Appreciation.

UT Tyler's home promotional schedule includes:

Dec. 3 vs. Texas A&M Kingsville – Holiday Hoopla/UT Health East Texas Day

Dec. 5 vs. Texas A&M International – Military / First Responder Appreciation

Jan. 14 vs. St. Mary's – Hawaiian Night

Jan. 16 vs. St. Edward's – 80's Night

Jan. 28 vs. Eastern New Mexico – Blue Out/ Rep the Rose

Jan. 30 vs. West Texas A&M – Youth Day / Diaper Derby

Feb. 6 vs. DBU – Pats for a Cause

Feb. 20 vs. UT Dallas – Senior Day / Faculty Appreciation

The Patriots will close the regular season on the road with contests at Texas A&M International on Feb. 25 and Texas A&M-Kingsville on Feb. 27.

The Lone Star Conference Tournament is scheduled for March 4-7 in Frisco, followed by the NCAA Division II South Central Regionals from March 12-16. The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Finals are scheduled for March 23-27 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.