Northwestern opens its 2026-27 men’s basketball season at home Monday against Binghamton, beginning a five-game homestand. The Wildcats will look to rebound from a 94-59 exhibition loss to No. 18 Iowa State, with second-year guard Jake West leading Northwestern in both exhibition games.

By the Numbers
  • Northwestern is 35-9 against regular-season nonconference opponents over the past four seasons, including a 26-2 home record.
  • Coach Chris Collins is 12-1 in season openers; Northwestern has won 16 of its last 17.
  • The Wildcats have 11 newcomers, the most in program history, including eight transfers.
  • Binghamton went 8-23 last season and returns nine players, including two starters.
  • Northwestern leads the series 2-0, with wins in 2018 and 2023.
Yes, But

Northwestern’s exhibition loss exposed a gap against ranked competition, but the team’s strong nonconference home record and track record in season openers offer reasons for optimism. Binghamton finished last season with a losing record, yet its two returning starters earned preseason all-conference recognition.

State of Play
  • Tipoff is Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. CT at Welsh-Ryan Arena; the game will air on B1G+ and be available on WGN Radio 720 and the SiriusXM app.
  • West and third-year guard Angelo Ciaravino are Northwestern’s captains.
  • Binghamton’s Jeremiah Quigley averaged 14.5 points and a conference-leading 6.4 assists per game last season.
What’s Next

Northwestern continues its five-game homestand against Stony Brook on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. CT.

Bottom Line

Monday’s opener is an early test of how Northwestern’s record-setting influx of newcomers fits together—and a chance to establish momentum at home.