The 2026-27 college basketball season is just around the corner, and teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) are preparing for a challenging start. With intense travel schedules and tough non-conference matchups, several programs face uphill battles that could affect their performance.
Notable Early Travel Burdens
One team to watch is the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, who will kick off their season against Furman in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This game is part of an arduous stretch where 16 of their first 17 games will be played away from home, with their only D-I home game occurring against non-D-I Paine University in the first ten weeks.
The early travel is particularly daunting, taking the Wildcats from Sioux Falls to Lubbock, TX, then to Phoenix, AZ, and on to San Diego, all within the first ten days. Affected by this difficult schedule, I suggest fading the Wildcats in their road game against Grand Canyon on November 7. They’ll also face a punishing five-day road stretch before Christmas, with games against schools like Iowa and Florida State, making this another potential fading opportunity.
Southern University's Rocky Road
Southern University also faces significant travel early in the season. Their opening schedule features five games in the first 10 days, starting with a contest against SMU and then facing TCU. Following a midwestern swing through Drake, Iowa State, and Minnesota, they will return home to regroup.
The Jaguars may struggle inside offensively given their interior depth issues, particularly evident in their matchup against Iowa State on November 10, where they are likely to falter.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Extensive Travel Schedule
Arkansas-Pine Bluff faces a completely revamped roster this year, and their travel routines won’t help the growing pains. The team fields a four-guard lineup, which may struggle defensively against tougher competition right out of the gate. They open their season against Arkansas, and I expect a high-scoring game due to both teams' style of play.
Following this, they take a road trip that will include tough matchups against Baylor and a west coast swing featuring schools like UCLA and USC. Crucially, they won’t face a D-I opponent at home until mid-January, making them prime candidates for betting against, especially during their demanding stretch in California.
Alcorn State's Early Tests
This season presents significant challenges for Alcorn State, especially regarding their lack of proven talent. They play 13 of their first 14 games away from home, with only a single contest against Howard at their home court.
Their tough tests include a sequence of games over five days, including matchups against Murray State and Texas State. Traveling to face tough teams like Georgia Tech and Iowa State further complicates their life early in the year. Their matchup against teams with fast-paced play, such as Murray State, may lead to heavy losses, making them another team to fade.
Jackson State's Hectic Start
Jackson State is also scheduled to navigate a demanding travel schedule under their new coach, Trey Johnson. They will open the season with 15 consecutive games away from home. Starting off with highly competitive matches against Mississippi State and Southern Miss will set a challenging tone for the rest of their travels.
As the Tigers engage with quick-tempo teams like Winthrop and Baylor, this could prove overwhelming, signaling another potential betting opportunity.
Mississippi Valley State's Struggles
Finally, Mississippi Valley State faces perhaps the toughest road ahead. With a roster lacking experience and depth, they’ll take on 16 straight games on the road, which is punishing for any team, especially one in a rebuilding phase.
Some of their early games, such as a brutal trip through Washington, Oregon, and Ohio State, will likely end in significant defeats. Expect to find ample opportunities to bet against them, as well-matched opponents should dominate the game.