Marquette and Mercyhurst to open college basketball season

The Marquette Golden Eagles and the Mercyhurst Lakers are set to face each other in their respective season openers on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Marquette enters the season under sixth-year head coach Shaka Smart following a 12-20 campaign. The Golden Eagles have bolstered their roster with transfers including Sananda Fru and Nolan Minessale, while returning key contributors Nigel James Jr., Royce Parham, and Adrien Stevens.

Mercyhurst concludes its previous season with a 17-17 record, having reached the NEC Championship game. The Lakers, who were picked second in the NEC Preseason Poll, will play their opening game on the road before returning home to host PSU Shenango on November 7.