BYU basketball faces Big Ten opponent in Maui Invitational

The BYU Cougars basketball program has built one of the better non-conference schedules for the 2026-27 season.

Kevin Young's team will be playing in the Maui Invitational as part of the 14 games outside the Big 12 slate. This doesn't include two exhibitions against Nebraska and at UNLV prior to the season. Five-star freshman phenom Bruce Branch III will make his debut against the Huskers in Provo. BYU opens the regular season against Ohio State at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on November 2. The first meeting between the two schools since 1997.

BYU will be playing in the Maui Invitational for the fifth time in school history. The Cougars are one of eight teams in the field for 2026. The bracket for the tournament was announced on Wednesday with BYU discovering who their initial opponent will be at the Lahaina Civic Center.

BYU will face Washington to open the 2026 Maui Invitational. The match-up against the Big Ten team adds some intriguing takeaways on Nov. 23 (5 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The two teams haven't played each other in the modern era. An NIT battle in 2013 was the last time the Cougars and Huskies faced each other. Washington leads the series 9-10

Washington is led by Danny Sprinkle, who was previously at Utah State.

The following day, BYU will face either Ole Miss or Clemson. Either team gives the Cougars a quality opponent and a chance to boost their March Madness resume.

BYU defeated Clemson last year on a buzzer-beater from Rob Wright III at Madison Square Garden. This year will feel different all together. The nation's best point guard will be playing more of a leadership role on the team. Also, Jake Wahlin transferred from Clemson to BYU during the offseason.

Oct. 16 – Nebraska (Exhibition) | Provo, Utah

Oct. 24 – at UNLV (Exhibition) | Las Vegas, Nevada

Nov. 2 – vs. Ohio State | Delta Center in Salt Lake City

Nov. 6 – Omaha

Nov. 10 – Queens

Nov. 12 – Montana State

Nov. 18 – Northern Colorado

Nov. 23 – vs. Washington (Maui Invitational) | Lahaina Civic Center | 5 p.m. ET

Nov. 24 – vs. Clemson — OR — Ole Miss (Maui Invitational) | Lahaina Civic Center

Nov. 25 – vs. Arizona/VCU/Providence/Colorado State (Maui Invitational) | Lahaina Civic Center

Dec. 5 – vs. Northwestern | Delta Center in Salt Lake City

Dec. 9 – Utah State

Dec. 12 – Cal State Fullerton

Dec. 15 – Weber State

Dec. 19 – vs. San Diego State | Palm Springs, California | 8:30 p.m. (MT)

Dec. 22 – La Salle

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