WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College will open its 2026-27 men's basketball season against Calvary University at noon Friday, Oct. 23, inside Stewart Fieldhouse.
The matchup will also serve as Southwestern's annual Champions of Character game, with hundreds of elementary school students expected in the stands to help welcome the Moundbuilders back to the court.
Beyond the final score, the event gives the Moundbuilders an opportunity to set a positive example for children in the Winfield community. The game will emphasize the importance of the NAIA's five core character values — respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship — and show students how those principles apply both on and off the court.
Southwestern is coming off a 21-10 campaign in 2025-26, including a 14-8 record in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Moundbuilders will look to build on that success with a returning group that features two All-KCAC honorees.
Senior Evan Barber returns after earning third-team All-KCAC honors last season, while graduate student Nigel John is back following an honorable mention selection. The pair brings experience to a Southwestern team seeking another strong season, beginning with Friday's home opener.
Calvary finished 8-16 overall and 4-8 in conference play in 2025-26. The Warriors compete in the Midwest Christian College Conference within the National Christian College Athletic Association.
The Warriors welcome back four key players in sophomore guard Zae Montgomery, sophomores Joshua Goode and Matthew Flores and senior Jaylon Armstrong. That returning group will help lead Calvary into its matchup with the Moundbuilders.
The last time the Builders and Warriors faced off was in the 2021-22 season, which ended in a 101-41 Moundbuilder victory. Southwestern has won all five of its matchups against Calvary.
