Arkansas State Opens 2026-27 Season at Ball State
The Red Wolves begin a season with program-high expectations after a record 27-win campaign and the return of senior guard Crislyn Rose.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
Arkansas State women's basketball opens its 2026-27 season Monday at Ball State. The Red Wolves finished last season with a program-record 27 wins and return senior guard Crislyn Rose, who averaged 11.2 points per game.
Why it matters
Retaining Rose and adding transfer guards gives the Jonesboro program depth as it chases another postseason run after its 2025 Sun Belt Tournament title. The early road schedule will test the roster before its November 17 home opener.
Crislyn Rose averaged 11.2 points per game and reached double figures in 19 games last season, while Jaidyn Elam averaged 12.7 points per game. The Red Wolves' 27-win record is six games better than their 2024-25 total, but how the new guards affect those numbers remains unknown.
The players
Crislyn Rose
Rose is a senior guard for Arkansas State who was named Sun Belt preseason player of the year after averaging 11.2 points per game last season.
Destinee Rogers
Rogers became Arkansas State's women's basketball head coach halfway through the 2021-22 season and led the Red Wolves to the 2025 Sun Belt Tournament championship.
The details
Arkansas State opens Monday at Ball State and plays at Florida Gulf Coast and Loyola-Chicago on its early road trip, with a November 11 game at Loyola-Chicago. Head coach Destinee Rogers added Amina Gray, Jermesha Frierson, Audreonia Benson and Monica Marsh through the transfer portal to strengthen the backcourt.
Timeline
Monday: Arkansas State opens the 2026-27 season at Ball State.
Nov. 11: Arkansas State plays at Loyola-Chicago.
Nov. 17: Arkansas State hosts Jackson State in its home opener.
Season Trajectory
Arkansas State's 2025 Sun Belt Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance set a high bar for the program. Keeping Rose and adding transfer guards positions the Red Wolves to contend for the Sun Belt again as they follow that 2025 postseason run.
Rose's return gives fantasy and bracket watchers a proven scorer from the Sun Belt's preseason top pick. Early road games at Ball State, Florida Gulf Coast and Loyola-Chicago will show how quickly the transfer guards can contribute.
The takeaway
A record 27-win season and a returning top scorer give Arkansas State a clear foundation, and the early road schedule will show how quickly its new guards can adjust.
What happens next
Arkansas State plays at Loyola-Chicago on November 11 and hosts Jackson State in its home opener on November 17.
Further reading
Follow more coverage of the team in our Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
