Eastern Illinois men's basketball announced three non-conference games from its 2025-26 schedule on Monday as the Panthers will take part in the BBN United Tipoff Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism.
 
The multi-team event will have the Panthers playing Kentucky, Valparaiso and Nicholls State as part of the field this season.
 
EIU's season opener will be part of the BBN United Tipoff Classic with the Panthers opening the season on Tuesday, November 4 at Valparaiso.
 
Nicholls State will travel to Charleston on Friday, November 7 to face EIU at Groniger Arena for the Panthers home opener.
 
EIU's final game in the tournament will be at eight-time NCAA National Champion Kentucky on Friday, November 14.
 
Of the three opponents in the field, EIU has only previously faced Valparaiso.  EIU holds a 20-18 all-time series lead over the Beacons with Valpo winning the most recent meeting last season as part of the DePaul Blue Demon MTE.
 
Those three contests join previously released non-conference games at Notre Dame (Nov. 11), at Purdue (Nov. 28) and at Iowa State (Dec. 14).
 
EIU's complete non-conference schedule will be released in the coming weeks.