WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – After winning both the Mountain East Conference regular-season and tournament championships and making a record 17th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance last season, the West Liberty University men's basketball team is set for another challenging slate as head coach Mike Lamberti announced the Hilltoppers' 2026-27 schedule.

Lamberti enters his second season at the helm after guiding the Hilltoppers to a 27-5 record, an MEC regular-season title, an MEC Tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional. West Liberty's 17 straight NCAA Tournament appearances extended the program's Division II record, while the Hilltoppers' 18 all-time NCAA Tournament berths rank among the nation's elite.

The Black and Gold will waste little time testing themselves against national competition, opening the season Nov. 7-8 at the prestigious Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla.
West Liberty will take on host Florida Southern on Nov. 7 before facing perennial national power Washburn on Nov. 8. The event features 10 of the top NCAA Division II programs in the country and annually serves as one of the premier showcases in small-college basketball.

The Hilltoppers return home the following weekend to host the Atlantic Region Crossover inside the ASRC. West Liberty opens the event against Pitt-Johnstown on Nov. 13 before facing California (Pa.) on Nov. 14. Wheeling will also participate in the crossover event.

A pair of road tests follow as West Liberty travels to Shepherd on Nov. 21 and West Chester on Nov. 23 before opening Mountain East Conference play against Shawnee State on Dec. 2.

The 2026-27 season has a 12-team MEC alignment following the addition of Shawnee State. West Liberty will play a 22-game conference schedule featuring home-and-home series against Shawnee State, Point Park, Concord, Davis & Elkins, Fairmont State, Frostburg State, Glenville State, Charleston, West Virginia State, West Virginia Wesleyan and Wheeling.

One of the highlights of the non-conference schedule comes during the West Liberty Christmas Tournament on Dec. 18-19. The Hilltoppers will open the event against Adelphi on Dec. 18 before renewing one of the most meaningful connections in program history the following day when they face Nova Southeastern and legendary former West Liberty head coach Jim Crutchfield.

Crutchfield compiled a remarkable 359-61 record and an NCAA-record .855 winning percentage during his West Liberty tenure. His teams won 13 conference championships, made eight consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to five Elite Eights, three Final Fours and the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship game.

Conference play resumes following the holiday break with a Jan. 2 trip to West Virginia Wesleyan. West Liberty's conference home schedule includes Frostburg State, Charleston, Point Park, Concord, Fairmont State, West Virginia Wesleyan, West Virginia State and Wheeling during January and February.

The Hilltoppers close the regular season at home against Wheeling on Feb. 28 before turning their attention to the Mountain East Conference Tournament, scheduled for March 3-7 at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling.

The NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament is slated for March 13-16.
 

2026-27 West Liberty Men's Basketball Schedule

November

Nov. 7 – vs. Florida Southern (Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Lakeland, Fla.) – 5:45 p.m.
Nov. 8 – vs. Washburn (Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Lakeland, Fla.) – 8:00 p.m.
Nov. 13 – Pitt-Johnstown (Atlantic Region Crossover) – 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 14 – California (Pa.) (Atlantic Region Crossover) – 4:00 p.m.
Nov. 21 – at Shepherd – TBA
Nov. 23 – at West Chester – TBA

December

Dec. 2 – Shawnee State* – 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 – at Concord* – 4:00 p.m.
Dec. 9 – at Point Park* – 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 – Davis & Elkins* – TBA
Dec. 16 – Glenville State* – 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 – Adelphi (West Liberty Christmas Tournament) – 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 – Nova Southeastern (West Liberty Christmas Tournament) – 4:00 p.m.

January

Jan. 2 – at West Virginia Wesleyan* – 4:00 p.m.
Jan. 6 – at Fairmont State* – 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9 – Frostburg State* – 4:00 p.m.
Jan. 13 – Charleston* – 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 – at West Virginia State* – 4:00 p.m.
Jan. 20 – at Wheeling* – 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 – Point Park* – 4:00 p.m.
Jan. 27 – at Davis & Elkins* – 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 – Concord* – 4:00 p.m.

February

Feb. 3 – at Shawnee State* – 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 – Fairmont State* – 4:00 p.m.
Feb. 10 – at Frostburg State* – 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13 – at Glenville State* – 4:00 p.m.
Feb. 17 – West Virginia Wesleyan* – 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20 – at Charleston* – 4:00 p.m.
Feb. 24 – West Virginia State* – 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 28 – Wheeling* – 4:00 p.m.

March

March 3-7 – Mountain East Conference Tournament (WesBanco Arena, Wheeling, W.Va.)
March 13-16 – NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament (TBA)

* Mountain East Conference game

West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.