If you’ve been following the Southland Conference lately, you know things are getting weird in the best way possible. Specifically in San Antonio. The University of the Incarnate Word—UIW to most of us—is currently smack in the middle of a season that’s basically a rollercoaster with no brakes. People are Googling the incarnate word basketball schedule like crazy because, honestly, this team is actually fun to watch for the first time in a minute.
Shane Heirman is in his third year. He’s the guy who took a team with eight wins and basically doubled it overnight. Now, in the 2025-26 stretch, the Cardinals are trying to prove that wasn't just a fluke. They’ve already played some heavy hitters, but the real meat of the schedule is happening right now in the thick of conference play.
The Remaining Men's Schedule: Home Stands and Road Grinds
Look, the non-conference stuff was brutal. They went to Colorado State. They went to Indiana. They even pushed TCU to the brink in Fort Worth, losing by only four points. But that’s over. Now it’s about the Southland. If you're looking to catch a game at the McDermott Center, you've got a few big ones coming up.
Saturday, January 17, 2026: UIW hosts Northwestern State. This is the "Suits and Sneakers" game. Expect a loud crowd. 2:00 PM tip-off.
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Monday, January 19, 2026: They turn around and play East Texas A&M (the school formerly known as Commerce) at home. It’s Student Appreciation night, so the energy should be high.
The schedule doesn't get easier. On January 24, they have a massive home game against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. If you like post-game autographs, that’s the one to bring the kids to. After that, they hit the road for a bit, traveling to Houston Christian on January 26 and then down to Corpus Christi for a rematch on February 2.
The regular season actually wraps up with a two-game home stand that could decide their tournament seeding. They play Lamar on February 28 and Stephen F. Austin on March 2. Mark those dates. If the standings are as tight as they usually are in this league, those games will be absolute dogfights.
Understanding the Women's Schedule and the Jhasmin Player Era
While the men are doing their thing, the women’s team is under a totally new vibe. Jhasmin Player took over as head coach this season after a stint at Oklahoma State. She’s a Kim Mulkey disciple, and you can tell. They play hard.
They started conference play strong, beating Southeastern Louisiana and Houston Christian at home. However, January has been a bit of a reality check. They just dropped games to Stephen F. Austin and Lamar on the road.
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If you want to support the women’s team, their incarnate word basketball schedule shows they’ll be back home soon. They tend to play their games on Thursdays and Saturdays, often as doubleheaders with the men. It’s basically four hours of basketball if you have the stamina for it.
Why This Year Feels Different
Most people don't realize how young Shane Heirman was when he got this job. He was 34. He came from the Michigan State coaching tree and brought a very specific, high-octane offense with him. Last year, they were scoring nearly 74 points a game.
This season? It’s more about the defense. They’re hovering around .500 right now, but they’ve been perfect at home for long stretches. The McDermott Center isn't exactly Cameron Indoor Stadium, but when it's full, it's tiny and loud. It gets in your head.
Key Players to Watch
If you're going to a game, you need to know who the "dudes" are.
- Davion Bailey: He’s the engine. He's averaging over 21 points a game right now. If he’s hot from three, UIW wins. It’s that simple.
- Tahj Staveskie: A transfer who has been a massive addition. He’s doing a bit of everything—scoring, passing, and annoying opposing point guards.
- Jordan Pyke: A 6'7" wing who looks like a pro. He’s averaging about 13 points and 5 rebounds. He's the guy most likely to have a highlight dunk that ends up on Twitter.
How to Actually Watch the Games
Look, we'd all love to be there in person, but San Antonio traffic is a nightmare. If you can't make it to the McDermott Center, almost the entire incarnate word basketball schedule is on ESPN+.
The Southland Conference has a deal where pretty much every home game is streamed. You’ll hear the local announcers, see the local ads, and get that authentic mid-major experience from your couch. Some of the bigger road games might pop up on regional networks, but ESPN+ is your best bet 90% of the time.
The Path to the Southland Tournament
Everything on the schedule leads to Lake Charles, Louisiana. That’s where the Southland Tournament happens in March.
To get there, UIW has to stay in the top eight of the conference. Last year, they got their first-ever tournament win. This year, the expectation is a deep run. The league is top-heavy with McNeese and SFA, but UIW has already shown they can beat the big dogs at home.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're planning on following the rest of the season, here is what you actually need to do:
- Check the UIW Athletics website the morning of the game. Times change, especially for TV. Don't show up at 4:00 PM if the game got moved to 2:00 PM.
- Buy tickets in advance. They start at about $100 for season tickets, but single-game tickets are cheap. You can usually walk up, but for the "big" games against Corpus or SFA, the lower bowl fills up fast.
- Follow the "UIWMBB" and "UIWWBB" accounts on Instagram. They post the most accurate "Game Day" graphics with the specific jersey colors and theme nights.
- Download the ESPN app. Seriously. If you’re a fan of a mid-major team in 2026, you can't live without it. Set the Cardinals as one of your "Favorite Teams" so you get the start-time notifications on your phone.
The schedule is grueling, but that’s college hoops. Whether it’s a random Monday night against East Texas A&M or a high-stakes Saturday afternoon, the Cardinals are worth the price of admission right now.