Arizona State Basketball Scheduled Heavy Buy Game Slate
The Sun Devils have secured ten buy games for the upcoming 2026-2027 non-conference season.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Basketball
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The Field of 68 has identified the Arizona State men's basketball team as having a cupcake-heavy non-conference schedule. The Sun Devils opted for ten buy games, joining only two other power-conference programs with a double-digit count of such matchups.
Why it matters
The program opted for this scheduling strategy following a rapid transition period initiated when the head coach took over the team last spring. This approach limits the intensity of early competition as the roster continues to integrate.
Arizona State has scheduled 10 buy games for the 2026-2027 season, while maintaining only four high-major non-conference games. Of those four marquee matchups, only one is slated to be a true road game.
The players
Arizona State men's basketball
The college basketball team represents Arizona State University in Tempe and competes within the Big 12 conference.
The Field of 68
This media entity provides coverage and analysis regarding college basketball schedules and tournament projections.
The details
The team will kick off its season on November 2 with a contest against East Tennessee State. The schedule remains focused on home court advantages, as the Sun Devils have limited their travel to just one away game against a high-major opponent during the non-conference stretch.
Timeline
The 2026-2027 non-conference season spans the winter months.
The season opener against East Tennessee State is scheduled for Nov. 2.
Season Trajectory
This scheduling strategy highlights the Sun Devils' focus on building momentum early in the season following a recent coaching change. The approach could potentially impact the team's standing for NCAA tournament selection by sacrificing strength-of-schedule metrics for early win totals.
The reliance on ten buy games suggests a lighter test for the roster, which may yield inflated win-loss records before conference play begins. Fans can anticipate fewer marquee non-conference games at home compared to traditional power-conference schedules.
The takeaway
Programs often use buy games to help new coaching staffs stabilize team identity during early developmental periods. Relying on these games provides a controlled environment for players to adjust to new systems before facing tougher conference competition.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's progression this year, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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Does a weak non-conference schedule hurt a local team's chances of reaching the NCAA tournament?
