Honestly, if you're looking at the UALR Trojan basketball schedule right now, you’re probably feeling a mix of "wait, what just happened?" and "when's the next big one?" It’s been a wild ride. The Jack Stephens Center has seen some serious drama lately, and the 2025-26 season is basically a roller coaster with a lot of steep climbs.
Most people just look at the win-loss column and assume they know the story. They don't. You've got a men's squad under Darrell Walker that started out fighting through a brutal non-conference gauntlet and a women's team that's quietly becoming the defensive nightmare of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).
The Mid-Season Grind: Where the Trojans Stand Right Now
We are officially in the heart of January. This is where the legs start to get heavy and the OVC standings begin to separate the contenders from the "maybe next years."
Right now, the men's team is sitting at 7-10 overall. That sounds... okay-ish? But look closer. They are 4-2 in conference play. That’s the number that actually matters. They just came off a split road trip where they handled Lindenwood 82-74 but got tripped up elsewhere.
The women's side? They’re 8-8 overall and also 4-2 in the OVC. It's weirdly symmetrical. Both teams are hovering right around that 6th place spot in the conference, but in a league as chaotic as the OVC, two good weekends can put you in the driver's seat for a top-four seed in Evansville.
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Men’s Basketball: The Road Ahead
The UALR Trojan basketball schedule for the men is about to get very "home-heavy," which is exactly what they need. If you’re planning to head to the Jack, here are the dates you need to circle:
- January 15: vs. Eastern Illinois (7:00 PM). This is a big "bounce-back" game.
- January 17: vs. Western Illinois (3:00 PM).
- February 5: vs. Lindenwood (5:00 PM).
- February 7: vs. SIU Edwardsville (1:00 PM).
After this little home stint, things get tough again. They have to travel to Southeast Missouri State on January 22nd. That’s never an easy place to play. Then it's off to Martin, Tennessee, to face a UT Martin squad that’s currently leading the pack at 13-4.
Johnathan Lawson has been an absolute beast. I mean, the guy dropped 33 against Arkansas State earlier this season. When he’s on, UALR can beat anyone in this league. But the consistency has to be there. Braxton Bayless and Kachi Nzeh are provide the muscle, but the guard play during these upcoming road trips to Tennessee State (Jan 29) and Tennessee Tech (Jan 31) will decide if this team finishes in the top half of the OVC.
The Women’s Schedule: Defense Wins Championships?
Coach Joe Foley has a reputation. If you play for him, you’re going to play defense until you can’t breathe. It’s working. They held Tennessee State to 39 points earlier this month. Thirty-nine!
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Their upcoming UALR Trojan basketball schedule looks like this:
- January 15: vs. Eastern Illinois (5:00 PM).
- January 17: vs. Western Illinois (1:00 PM).
- January 22: at Southeast Missouri State (3:15 PM).
- January 24: at UT Martin (11:00 AM).
The game against UT Martin is the one everyone is eyeing. Martin is usually the gold standard in the OVC for the women’s side. If Little Rock can steal that one on the road, the conversation shifts from "can they make the tournament?" to "can they win the whole thing?"
Why the "Jack" is Different This Year
There’s a different energy at the Jack Stephens Center this season. Maybe it’s the fact that the OVC feels wide open. In the Sun Belt days, it felt like you were always chasing a giant. Now, every game on the UALR Trojan basketball schedule feels winnable.
But there’s a catch. Little Rock has struggled with turnovers in high-pressure road environments. They’ve lost a few games they probably should have won simply because they couldn't handle the full-court press in the final four minutes.
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What You Need to Do Next
If you’re a fan or even just a casual observer in Central Arkansas, don't just wait for the tournament in March. The value is in these January and February matchups.
- Get to the Jack: The home games on Jan 15 and 17 are a "doubleheader" of sorts for the men and women. It's the best bang for your buck in Little Rock sports.
- Watch the OVC Digital Network: If you can't make it to the games, most of these are on ESPN+.
- Watch the Standings: Keep a close eye on Morehead State and UT Martin. Those are the benchmarks for the Trojans right now.
The path to Evansville is never straight. It’s usually through a snowy bus ride to Illinois or a grit-and-grind battle in Kentucky. But for this UALR squad, the pieces are there. They just have to put them together before the calendar turns to March.
Key Insight for Fans: The most underrated game left on the schedule is the February 19th home game against UT Martin for the men. If the Trojans are within two games of first place by then, that night will be electric. Make sure your tickets are sorted before the late-season rush.
Actionable Next Steps: Check the official Little Rock Athletics website for any last-minute tip-off time changes, especially for the February road games, as TV broadcast slots can sometimes shift the schedule by an hour or two. If you're attending a home game, arrive at least 45 minutes early to secure parking at the Jack Stephens Center, as OVC doubleheaders have seen increased attendance this month. Finally, download the ESPN app and "favorite" the OVC to get live score alerts for the away games in Tennessee and Missouri.