DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team has unveiled its schedule for the 2025-26 season. 

With three straight winning seasons under head coach Dan Evans, the Nighthawks will look to return to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four seasons this year.

The season begins in celebration as UNG will welcome students from Lumpkin County Community Schools into Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center for an exhibition matchup against Toccoa Falls. LCCS 5th Graders' Day Out will kick off the season on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.

The Nighthawks begin full competition away from home in the Southeast Region Crossover Nov. 14-15. On Friday, UNG will take on Lincoln Memorial at 5 p.m. before facing rival Young Harris on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, the Nighthawks will host their official home opener on Ross Morkem Memorial Night at 7 p.m. against Francis Marion. Wednesday's showdown with the Patriots sets the table for a three game home stand in which UNG will host regional foes Southern Wesleyan (Nov. 22) and Carson-Newman (Nov. 26). 

"The Ross Morkem Memorial event is always circled on the schedule because it serves as an opportunity to honor Ross and his enduring legacy with North Georgia Basketball," said Evans.

The Nighthawks conclude their non-conference schedule on Saturday, Nov. 29 on the road against Edward Waters. 

"We strive to create an elite non-conference schedule every season. This season is no different," said Evans. "We have huge regional matchups against NCAA Tournament teams along with multiple road matchups with quality teams. Our entire program is preparing to play at the highest level possible immediately because that is what it will take to compete in the proper fashion."

UNG opens the Peach Belt Conference season on the road on Dec. 6 at Clayton State before returning home on Dec. 10 for the PBC home opener against Columbus State (CSU). The Cougars are the defending PBC Regular-season Champions and made a run to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament last year.

On Dec. 13 UNG continues a budding rivalry with Lander for a Saturday home contest. The last time the Bearcats and Nighthawks met on the UNG Convocation Center floor, senior guard AJ White hit a half court buzzer beater in one of the most exciting wins in Nighthawk history. 

A road contest against the runner-up in the PBC last season, USC Aiken (USCA), on Dec. 17 concludes the 2025 portion of the schedule for the Nighthawks. They will then not return to action until the new year which begins on Jan. 3 on the road in St. Augustine, Fla. against Flagler.

The first home matchups of the 2026 calendar year take place Jan. 7 (Georgia College) and Jan. 10 (Georgia Southwestern).

On Jan. 21 UNG will rematch with Augusta after most recently defeating the Jaguars in upset fashion on their own floor in the quarterfinals of the PBC Tournament. White went off for a career-high 38 points in the win. White's scoring outburst was significant in that he surpassed 1,500 career points against Augusta. Entering the 2025-26 season, White sits just 241 points behind former teammate Frank Champion as the program's leading scorer in the NCAA Division II era. 

January ends with a home matchup against Clayton State (Jan. 31) and February begins with the second showdown of the year with the Pacers of USCA (Feb. 4). 

The Nighthawks will also welcome a new opponent to the UNG Convocation Center for the first time as Middle Georgia makes the trip to Dahlonega. The showdown with the newest PBC member is set for Saturday, Feb 14 at 1:30 p.m.

UNG hosts Flagler on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. before concluding the regular season at home on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. against USC Beaufort.

"The Peach Belt schedule always provides a tremendous challenge with the league's depth being outstanding. We will be consistently tested in league play and look forward to the challenge," said Evans.

The PBC Tournament begins on Wednesday, March 4 and ends Sunday, March 8.