KINGSTON, R.I. — Rhode Island women's basketball officially announced its 2026 non-conference schedule Thursday ahead of head coach Colleen Mullen's first season leading the Rams.
The 13-game slate features a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, for games against Columbia and South Florida, along with six home games at the Ryan Center. Rhode Island is coming off a historic 2025-26 season in which it won the Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament titles and made its first NCAA Championship appearance in 30 years.
The Rams open the season Nov. 3 at West Virginia. The Mountaineers went 28-7 last season before falling to Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Rhode Island then heads to Nashville for the Curb Event Center Classic, opening tournament play against Columbia of the Ivy League on Nov. 6. The Lions went 25-8 last season and captured the WBIT championship, defeating St. John's, North Dakota State, California, Wisconsin and BYU during their postseason run.
The Rams close out the Nashville trip against South Florida of the American Athletic Conference on Nov. 8. The Bulls won 20 games last season before falling in the opening round of the conference tournament. South Florida will face Missouri Valley Conference member Belmont on the opening day of the event.
The Nashville tournament gives Rhode Island two top-70 NET opponents to begin the season. Columbia finished the 2025-26 season ranked No. 45 in the NET, while South Florida was No. 68. Rhode Island finished No. 49.
Rhode Island's first five games of the season come on the road, with trips to Wagner on Nov. 12 and St. John's on Nov. 14 rounding out the season-opening road swing. The Red Storm went 10-1 in non-conference play last season.
The Rams return to Kingston for their home opener Nov. 17 against Emmanuel College at the Ryan Center.
Rhode Island hosts New Haven on Nov. 20 before traveling to Holy Cross for a Nov. 25 matchup at Hart Center Arena. The Crusaders won the Patriot League last season for the third time in four years and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
The Rams return home Dec. 7 to host in-state rival Providence. Rhode Island defeated the Friars, 57-51, in Providence last season.
Rhode Island then faces Princeton on Dec. 10, marking the sixth consecutive season the two programs have met. The Tigers reached the NCAA Tournament last season after winning the Ivy League championship.
The Rams close out the non-conference schedule with three straight home games, hosting Maine on Dec. 13, Dartmouth on Dec. 18 and Central Connecticut on Dec. 20.
Game times will be announced at a later date. All home games will be streamed on ESPN+ by Go Rhody Productions.
Season tickets are on sale now by calling 401-874-RAMS or visiting gorhody.com/tickets.
2026 Rhode Island Non-Conference Schedule
Nov. 3 - at West Virginia
Nov. 6 - vs. Columbia*
Nov. 8 - vs. USF*
Nov. 12 - at Wagner
Nov. 14 - at St. John's
Nov. 17 - Emmanuel College
Nov. 20 - New Haven
Nov. 25 - at Holy Cross
Dec. 7 - Providence
Dec. 10 - at Princeton
Dec. 13 - Maine
Dec. 18 - Dartmouth
Dec. 20 - Central Connecticut
