TEMPE, Ariz. (Nov. 1, 2026) – The ETSU men's basketball team will tip off its 2026-27 season on Monday evening when it visits Arizona State. Tip-off between the Buccaneers and Sun Devils is set for 10 p.m. Eastern time from Tempe, Arizona.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Monday, November 2
Time: 10:02 p.m. ET
Location: Tempe, Ariz. | Desert Financial Arena
Teams: ETSU (0-0, 0-0 SoCon) at Arizona State (0-0, 0-0 Big 12)
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Audio: WXSM-AM 640
Live Stats: etsubucs.com (Statbroadcast)
X:
@ETSU_MBB
PRESEASON PREDICTION – The Bucs were picked to finish second in the annual SoCon preseason poll last month. ETSU, which won the regular season title a season ago with a 13-5 conference record, was slotted only behind Furman in the poll.
SENIOR NAMED PRESEASON ALL-SOCON – Senior guard B.J. Ward garnered Preseason All-SoCon honors from the league's coaches. Ward transferred from Southeast Missouri State to ETSU during the offseason. In 2025-26, Ward averaged 10.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in 33 starts for SEMO. For his entire collegiate career, Ward has scored 752 points, grabbed 186 rebounds, and dished out 251 assists.
ON THE ROAD TO START A NEW SEASON – Monday will mark the first time that the Bucs have started a new season on the road since 2021-22. ETSU posted a winning record away from Freedom Hall last season, compiling a 10-7 record in road and neutral site games (8-6 in true road games).
ABOUT ARIZONA STATE – ASU went 17-16 overall and 7-11 in the Big 12 last season. The 2026-27 Sun Devils will be under new leadership this season as longtime St. Mary's Head Coach Randy Bennett takes the reins in Tempe. Bennett won 589 games and made 19 postseason appearances during his coaching tenure with the Gaels.
SERIES REWIND VS. ASU – Monday will be the second all-time meeting between ETSU and Arizona State. The only previous matchup occurred on March 10, 1953, when ASU won narrowly, 81-79.
For more information on ETSU men's basketball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click the men's basketball tab.
