The 2025–26 college basketball season for the Furman Paladins has concluded. The team finished the year with a highly successful campaign, culminating in a Southern Conference (SoCon) Tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. As of late April 2026, the program is currently in the off-season, with future schedules for the 2026–27 season typically being released in late summer or early autumn.

2025-26 Season Performance Overview

The Furman Paladins concluded the 2025–26 season with an overall record of 22–13. The team demonstrated significant resilience, particularly during the postseason, after navigating a challenging Southern Conference slate.

  • Overall Record: 22–13
  • Conference Record (SoCon): 10–8
  • Postseason Achievement: SoCon Tournament Champions
  • NCAA Tournament Seed: No. 15 (East Region)

Full 2025-26 Regular Season Schedule and Results

The Paladins' schedule was divided into a rigorous non-conference period followed by the traditional Southern Conference round-robin. Below are the key matchups and results from the regular season.

Non-Conference Matchups

The season began with a high-profile exhibition against Alabama, followed by several key mid-major challenges.

Date Opponent Result Record
Oct 26 Alabama (Exhibition) L, 71–96 0–0
Nov 3 vs. High Point L, 71–97 0–1
Nov 7 Troy L, 61–64 0–2
Nov 10 Columbia International W, 89–59 1–2
Nov 14 at Northern Iowa L, 54–70 1–3
Nov 19 Ohio Christian W, 67–45 2–3
Nov 23 Queens W, 72–60 3–3
Nov 27 vs. Richmond W, 68–62 4–3
Dec 3 at Elon W, 75–68 5–3
Dec 6 Harvard W, 81–74 6–3
Dec 18 at Manhattan W, 70–63 7–3
Dec 21 Charleston Southern W, 84–70 8–3

Southern Conference (SoCon) Schedule

The Paladins faced a competitive conference environment, finishing with a 10–8 record in league play before entering the conference tournament.

Date Opponent Venue Result
Dec 31 Mercer Greenville, SC W, 74–66
Jan 3 Western Carolina Greenville, SC W, 79–72
Jan 7 at Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN L, 68–75
Jan 10 VMI Greenville, SC W, 88–70
Jan 14 at Samford Birmingham, AL L, 81–86
Jan 17 Wofford Greenville, SC W, 76–67
Jan 21 at The Citadel Charleston, SC W, 72–61
Jan 24 at UNC Greensboro Greensboro, NC L, 75–81
Jan 29 Samford Greenville, SC W, 86–81
Feb 1 Chattanooga Greenville, SC L, 70–73
Feb 4 at ETSU Johnson City, TN L, 61–76
Feb 8 UNC Greensboro Greenville, SC W, 81–75
Feb 11 at Mercer Macon, GA L, 64–69
Feb 14 at VMI Lexington, VA W, 90–72
Feb 18 ETSU Greenville, SC L, 69–78
Feb 21 at Wofford Spartanburg, SC W, 76–67
Feb 25 The Citadel Greenville, SC W, 72–51
Feb 28 at Western Carolina Cullowhee, NC L, 67–86

The SoCon Tournament Championship Run

Despite an uneven end to the regular season, Furman excelled in the Southern Conference Tournament held in Asheville, N.C. The Paladins won three consecutive games to secure the title.

  • Quarterfinals: Furman defeated Samford, 86–81.
  • Semifinals: Furman defeated UNC Greensboro, 81–75.
  • Championship: Furman defeated ETSU, 76–61.

Freshman Alex Wilkins was instrumental in this run, eventually earning NABC All-South Atlantic District First Team honors for his performance throughout the season and the tournament.

NCAA Tournament Appearance: Furman vs. UConn

By winning the SoCon championship, Furman earned an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. They were placed in the East Region as the No. 15 seed.

On March 20, 2026, Furman faced the No. 2 seed, UConn, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Despite a valiant effort, the Paladins fell to the Huskies with a final score of 82–71. UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. proved difficult to contain, recording 31 points and 27 rebounds. Furman's performance solidified their standing as a premier mid-major program, marking their second trip to the "Big Dance" in four years.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the 2026-27 Furman basketball schedule be released?

The official schedule for the upcoming season is typically finalized and announced by Furman Athletics in late summer (August) or early September. This includes both non-conference matchups and the SoCon league schedule.

Where does Furman play its home games?

The Paladins play their home games at Timmons Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. The arena has recently undergone renovation projects to enhance the fan experience and athletic facilities.

How can I buy tickets for Furman basketball?

Tickets can be purchased through the official Furman Paladins Athletics website or at the Timmons Arena box office once the new season's schedule is confirmed and sales are launched.

Summary of the 2025-26 Season

The 2025-26 Furman basketball season was defined by a historic postseason run. While the regular season featured a balanced 22-13 record, the team peak reached its height in Asheville during the SoCon Tournament. Winning the conference title and competing honorably against a top-tier opponent like UConn in the NCAA Tournament has set a high standard for the program moving into the next year. Fans should monitor official athletic communications for the 2026-27 schedule updates.