Augustana University men’s basketball kicks off its 2026-27 regular season this weekend at the NSIC/GAC Challenge in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Vikings will play a pair of neutral site games at Warrior Arena at Little Rock Christian Academy, according to Augustana University Athletics. The opening contest is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. against Arkansas-Monticello, followed by a 3 p.m. game against Ouachita Baptist on Saturday.
This season marks a period of transition and high expectations for the program. While the preseason coaches’ poll placed the Vikings sixth in both the South Division and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the team is looking to build on a strong previous campaign.
Last season, Augustana finished with a 19-10 overall record and a 16-6 conference showing, earning second place in the South Division and second overall in the NSIC.
Head coach Cody Schilling enters his third season at the helm. In his second year, Schilling led the Vikings to a third consecutive Sanford Pentagon appearance at the conference tournament, where the team earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye before falling in overtime during the semifinals.
The competition in Little Rock features programs from two different conferences, presenting varied tactics. The Vikings enter the weekend with Bennett Fried named as the preseason Player to Watch.
Arkansas-Monticello arrives in Arkansas with momentum from their own season opener. The Weevils secured a 92-59 victory over Lyon College on Monday. Despite a 76-17 exhibition loss to Louisiana Tech, the Weevils score frequently.
Justice Moore currently leads the team with 27.0 points per game, followed by Marvin Schindler at 16.0 points per game. Aiden Cilladi and Landen Hill both average 10.0 points per game, with Hill also leading the rebounding effort at 9.0 boards per game.
Ouachita Baptist enters the weekend as a preseason favorite in the Great American Conference. Under head coach Dennis Nutt, who is beginning his 16th season, the Tigers are coming off a 23-7 overall record and an 18-4 conference record. The preseason coaches’ poll selected the Tigers to finish atop the GAC standings with 115 total points and seven first-place votes.
| Team | Preseason Poll Projection | Key Statistical Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Augustana | 6th (NSIC South) | Bennett Fried (Player to Watch) |
| Arkansas-Monticello | 12th (GAC) | Justice Moore (27.0 PPG) |
| Ouachita Baptist | 1st (GAC) | Dennis Nutt (16th Season) |
The stakes for these early-season games extend beyond the immediate win-loss column. For Augustana, these neutral site games serve as a litmus test for a roster tasked with climbing back toward the top of a highly competitive NSIC. For the GAC programs, the challenge provides an opportunity to establish dominance outside of their home regional footprint.
Fans looking to follow the action can access a free livestream provided by Little Rock Christian Academy, while Arkansas-Monticello will provide live statistics for the weekend’s contests.
The Saturday matchup against Ouachita Baptist will conclude the opening weekend of the challenge.
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