Top 3 confirmed opponents on Xavier's non-conference schedule for 2025-26 season

The Xavier Musketeers went 22-12 last season and made the NCAA Tournament, thanks to securing key wins in non-conference play, including victories over Wake Forest and South Carolina. The program is starting over this offseason following a coaching change and several new transfers.

We’ll get a good look at the Musketeers early on in the 2025-26 campaign, taking on some solid opponents in the now-confirmed non-con schedule. It includes participating in the Charleston Classic, where they will face two of the following teams: Georgia, Clemson, or West Virginia. They would easily be among the top opponents, but this has not been confirmed yet.

Here’s a look at the three toughest confirmed opponents in the non-con.

3. Santa Clara Broncos

The Broncos have consistently been a top-100 team, but after losing Adama Alpha-Bal and Carlos Stewart, could take a step back. Besides bringing back guard Brenton Knapper, Santa Clara also has a trio of freshmen transfers, including Gehrig Normand (Michigan State) and Chris Tadjo (Iowa). 

2. Cincinnati Bearcats

The  Bearcats bring back Jizzle James to run the offense, joined by former Kentucky and Arizona guard, Kerr Kriisa. The key to Cincinnati's success will be the revamped frontcourt, including UCF transfer center Moustapha Thiam. The defense should remain high-level, but can Cincy score enough to be viable in the Big 12?

1. Iowa Hawkeyes

Former Drake HC Ben McCollum has a new-look roster that includes a pair of Conference Player of the Year stars in Bennett Stirtz (Drake) and Alvaro Folguerias (Robert Morris). With the addition of Kansas State sharpshooter Brendan Hausen, the Hawkeyes should have one of the better offenses in the Big Ten and a tough test for the Musketeers. From a potential standpoint, Iowa has arguably the highest ceiling of any of the confirmed non-con opponents for Xavier.