Women's Hoops
Razorbacks announce challenging non-conference schedule for Musick’s first season
The Razorbacks’ non-conference schedule features compelling matchups against NCAA Tournament teams, highlighting Musick’s ambitious vision for the program
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas unveiled seven non-conference games for the 2025-26 season today, marking an exciting new chapter under first-year coach Kelsi Musick.
The schedule features a mix of regional rivals and national powerhouses, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing season in Fayetteville.
Musick, who signed a five-year contract worth $600,000 annually, inherits a program eager to establish itself as a consistent force in the SEC.
The non-conference slate reflects this ambition, with several compelling matchups that will test the Razorbacks early in the season.
The headline attraction comes on November 30, when Harvard visits Bud Walton Arena.
The Crimson, coming off a remarkable 24-5 season and an Ivy League championship, brings a program that has been making waves in women’s college basketball.
Harvard’s recent success included notable victories over Indiana, Princeton, Columbia, Boston College, Northwestern, and St. John’s, demonstrating their ability to compete with major programs.
Another marquee matchup features Arkansas State visiting Fayetteville on December 28.
The Red Wolves are coming off a historic season that saw them earn their first NCAA Tournament berth after upsetting James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference tournament championship.
Rogers, who recently signed a contract extension through 2029, has transformed Arkansas State into a regional power.
The Razorbacks will also participate in the Music City Classic in Nashville, facing Northern Kentucky and Winthrop on November 25-26.
The tournament, hosted at Trevecca Nazarene University, provides Arkansas with neutral-site experience early in the season.
The schedule includes several in-state matchups that have become traditions for the program.
Central Arkansas (November 10) and Little Rock (November 20) visit Bud Walton Arena, continuing the strong relationships with regional programs.
UCA, coming off a 23-10 season and WNIT appearance, has shown significant progress under coach Tony Kemper.
Jackson State rounds out the home schedule on December 7, bringing their aggressive style of play to Fayetteville.
The Tigers finished fourth in the SWAC last season with a 13-5 conference record.
“This schedule gives us a great opportunity to test ourselves early while building momentum through the season,” said Musick. “We’ve got a nice mix of styles and challenges that will prepare us for SEC play.”
The Razorbacks are still waiting on their ACC-SEC Challenge opponent, which will be announced by ESPN later this month.
Additionally, Arkansas will travel to Texas Tech to complete the backend of their home-and-home series, following the Red Raiders’ 75-72 victory in Fayetteville last December.
The collective winning percentage of the known non-conference opponents (56.4%) underscores the quality of competition the Razorbacks will face.
This challenging schedule aligns with research showing that strategic non-conference scheduling plays a crucial role in program development and NCAA Tournament selection.
The remaining non-conference games will be announced in the coming weeks, as the program continues to finalize its schedule for Musick’s first season.
