Winston-Salem, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State University men's basketball program has officially released its 2025–26 schedule, featuring a competitive slate of regional match ups, CIAA rivalries, and high-profile non-conference contests that will prepare the Rams for another run at the conference and NCAA postseason.

"I have always believed in putting together a tough and challenging non-conference schedule, which will get us ready for CIAA conference play and ready for the CIAA Tournament" said head coach Corey Thompson. "Looking forward to a new exciting year and support from our Ramily"  

The Rams open the season with a marquee exhibition contest at ACC powerhouse North Carolina on Oct. 29 in Chapel Hill.

WSSU begins official play Nov. 14–15 at the CIAA–PSAC Challenge in Ettrick, Va., taking on East Stroudsburg and Shepherd. The Rams return home Nov. 18 for their first official home game against Virginia University of Lynchburg (VUL) at the C.E. Gaines Center.

The non-conference slate also includes road trips to Wheeling University (Nov. 22), Mount Olive (Dec. 1), and CIAA rivals Bowie State (Dec. 13) and Lincoln (Dec. 15). Key home non-conference match ups include Barton (Nov. 29), South Carolina Central CC (Dec. 11), Mid-Atlantic Christian (Dec. 18), and Belmont Abbey on New Year's Eve.

Conference play begins in January, highlighted by rivalry games inside Gaines Center against Elizabeth City State (Jan. 10), Virginia State (Jan. 13), Johnson C. Smith (Jan. 29), Livingstone (Jan. 31), Fayetteville State (Feb. 7), Claflin (Feb. 12), and Shaw (Feb. 14). Road trips include Shaw (Jan. 17), Claflin (Jan. 21), Fayetteville State (Jan. 24), Johnson C. Smith (Feb. 18), and Livingstone (Feb. 21).

The Rams will also face Virginia Union on the road Feb. 4 before closing the regular season in preparation for the CIAA Basketball Tournament, which returns to CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Md., Feb. 24–28.