DETROIT (8/21/2026) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team will have one of the most exciting non-conference schedules in recent history as the Titans announced their non-HL slate on Friday.

The schedule includes power schools, Jesuit and in-state foes, a few mid-major showdowns, and a trip to Mexico.

UDM will play both Michigan and Michigan State for the first time since the 1997-98 season, as well as Eastern Michigan for the first time all three schools have been on the docket together since 1991-92.

The red, white and blue will play regular-season games outside the United States for the first time since 1999.

Detroit Mercy will open the year with two exhibitions, facing Alabama A&M in the 2nd Annual Horatio Williams Foundation Hoops & Culture Event at Wayne State on Oct. 23 and a home preseason battle with Wayne State on Nov. 2.

The 121st season will officially get underway at Jesuit rival Marquette on Nov. 6, followed by a road trip to another Jesuit brother, Xavier, on Nov. 10. The Titans have taken on Xavier 95 times, the second most played opponent in school history, while they have met Marquette 88 times, the third most frequent opponent in the record book.

The home opener will be a basketball doubleheader on Nov. 14 as UDM hosts Toledo after the women's game against North Dakota State.

It will be back on the road the rest of the month with a local trip to Eastern Michigan on Nov. 18 - previously announced for the 17th, but both teams agreed to move it a day later. A showdown at perennial NCAA powerhouse Michigan State will be on Nov. 21, while the Cancun Challenge will be Nov. 24-25, with the Titans crossing paths with North Dakota and then either Southeast Louisiana or Northern Colorado.

Another home doubleheader is set for Dec. 13 as the women host St. Thomas and the men entertain Cleary.

The non-conference schedule will come to an end with a Titan road doubleheader on Christmas week, as both the men and women will be in Ann Arbor to collide with Michigan on Dec. 21. It will be the first time UDM will take on a defending NCAA champion since the 1979-80 season, when they played MSU.

The Titans return six letterwinners from last year's team that won 17 games, the most since 2012-13. Season tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased by contacting Assistant Business and Ticket Manager Paige Zmudczynski at 313-320-8873 or zmudczpa@udmercy.edu.

Tickets to "An Evening With The Titans Of Detroit" are also on sale, offering a chance to meet not only both basketball head coaches but also other sports celebrities and local dignitaries.