If you’ve walked near First National Bank Arena lately, you can basically feel the electricity. It’s not just the standard "new year, new season" hype we see every November. No, the Arkansas State University basketball schedule for 2025-26 has turned into a absolute gauntlet that is testing whether Ryan Pannone's squad is actually ready for the big time. Honestly, looking at the way the Sun Belt is shaking out this year, every single game feels like a heavyweight fight.
Last year, the Red Wolves grabbed a share of the regular-season crown. That was huge. But it also put a massive target on their backs. Now, as we hit the heart of the January schedule, the pressure is on. You've got a roster that's a wild mix of veteran transfers like Chandler Jackson and Jalen Hampton, plus some intriguing new faces like Rho Omed. It's a "win-now" kind of vibe in Jonesboro, and the schedule reflects that ambition.
✨ Don't miss: c.d. santa clara games: What Most People Get Wrong About the Azoreans
The Road Ahead: Breaking Down the Mid-Season Grind
The current stretch of the Arkansas State University basketball schedule is particularly brutal because of the travel. We aren't just talking about hop-on-the-bus trips to Little Rock. The Red Wolves are deep into a swing that takes them all over the Southeast.
Tonight, January 17, 2026, is a massive one. They are at Troy. If you remember last season’s Sun Belt championship game, this is basically a sequel. Troy is currently leading the conference in scoring, averaging about 85.9 points per game. A-State already beat them once this month—an 86-74 win back on January 7—but winning in Trojan Arena is a completely different beast.
After Troy, the team heads further East. They’ve got Georgia Southern on Thursday, January 22, and then a quick turnaround to face Georgia State in Atlanta on Saturday, January 24. That’s three road games in eight days. For a team that relies on its rebounding margin—where they currently lead the conference—staying fresh on the road is going to be the difference between a top seed and a middle-of-the-pack finish.
Home Sweet Jonesboro: Upcoming Games at FNB Arena
If you’re a fan who prefers the home-court advantage, circle late January on your calendar. The Red Wolves finally come back to First National Bank Arena to close out the month.
On Wednesday, January 28, Old Dominion comes to town for an 8:00 PM tip-off. ODU has been a bit of a wildcard this year, but they’re physical. Then, on Saturday, January 31, Marshall visits Jonesboro. Marshall is currently leading the Sun Belt in blocks and assists, so that matchup at 3:00 PM is going to be a chess match between Pannone’s offensive sets and the Thundering Herd’s defensive pressure.
One thing that’s kinda cool about the home games this year is the giveaways. They did the Christmas ornaments in December, but the January and February atmosphere usually hits a different level of intensity. The student section has been louder than I’ve heard it in years, mostly because they know this team has a legit shot at a deep March run.
What About the Women's Team?
We can't talk about the Arkansas State University basketball schedule without mentioning Destinee Rogers and the women's squad. They are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance and haven't slowed down.
Their January schedule is just as packed. They just hosted Louisiana on January 15 and are set to face Southern Miss today, January 17, at 2:00 PM. They have a very unique schedule that includes some weirdly early tip-off times. For example, they play Old Dominion at noon on Wednesday, January 21. It’s a bit of a scheduling quirk, but the Lady Red Wolves have been dominant at home, so the time doesn't seem to matter much to them.
Key players like Crislyn Rose have been carrying the load. Rose just dropped 19 in their last outing, and the team’s defensive identity is still their calling card. Watching how they navigate the Sun Belt schedule after that tough non-conference run—which included a trip to the Bahamas for the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship—is going to be fascinating.
Looking Toward the Postseason
Everything in the Arkansas State University basketball schedule is building toward Pensacola. The Sun Belt Conference Tournament is set for March 3-9, 2026, at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The goal is simple: get a top-four seed to secure that double-bye. Nobody wants to play four games in four days. A-State’s final regular-season games are both at home—Southern Miss on February 24 and Louisiana on February 27. Those are "must-wins" if they want to stay at the top of the standings.
The analytics look good. The men’s team is hovering around No. 129 in the NET rankings, which is right in the hunt for a high-quality seed. They’ve shown they can win the close ones, like that 83-82 nail-biter against Texas State where Jalen Hampton’s double-double saved the day.
How to Follow the Action
If you can't make it to the "Bank," most of these games are streaming on ESPN+. It’s become the standard for the Sun Belt. For the radio traditionalists, 107.9 FM KFIN is still the place to hear the play-by-play.
There's also some buzz about the future. Coach Pannone already signed five new players for the 2026-27 roster, including high-level shot blocker Aliou Maiga. It shows that the program isn't just focused on this season; they’re trying to build a sustained powerhouse in Jonesboro.
Actionable Insights for Red Wolves Fans:
- Check the Tip-Off Times: The women’s team has several midweek morning/noon games in late January. Don't get caught trying to tune in at 7:00 PM only to realize the game ended hours ago.
- Secure Tournament Tickets Early: If you're planning on headed to Pensacola in March, start looking at hotels now. The Sun Belt Tournament has become a major destination event, and the Bay Center fills up fast.
- Watch the Rebounding Margin: In every box score, look at the boards. A-State wins when they dominate the glass. If they're out-rebounding opponents by +6 or more, they’re almost impossible to beat.
- Follow the NET Rankings: Keep an eye on the NCAA NET rankings throughout February. A-State needs to stay in the top 130 to ensure they remain a "quality win" for other teams, which helps the whole conference's profile.
The road to a championship isn't supposed to be easy. This schedule is a grind, but it’s exactly what the Red Wolves need to be ready for the pressure of the Big Dance.