The Bulldogs will officially open the Ronald Nored Era Monday, Nov. 2, hosting Lafayette at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
 
The tip time and television assignment for the 2026-27 regular season opener against the Leopards will be announced at a later date.
 
Butler and Lafayette, a member of the Patriot League, have never met as men's basketball opponents. When Butler won the 2006 NIT Season Tip-Off, the Bulldogs and Lafayette were both assigned to the Indianapolis pod. Butler defeated Notre Dame and Indiana to advance to the semifinals at Madison Square Garden without playing the Leopards.
 
Additional games on Butler's non-conference schedule will be released soon.
 
Nored enters his first season leading the men's basketball program at his alma mater. He helped the Bulldogs to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA national championship game as the starting point guard for coach Brad Stevens and concluded his playing career by earning Academic All-America honors in 2012. Nored has been part of coaching staffs with five NBA franchises, most recently serving as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks for the last three seasons.
 
The Bulldog roster continues to take shape. Starters Jalen Jackson and Drayton Jones return for the 2026-27 campaign and are joined by an exciting group of newcomers.
 
Season tickets for the upcoming 2026-27 basketball season are on sale now at butlersports.com/seasontickets. The Bulldogs will once again host all 10 BIG EAST rivals at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Fans can email tickets@butler.edu or call the ticket office at 317-940-3647 for more information on securing season tickets.