ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Washington University in St. Louis men's basketball team opens the 2026-27 season at home this weekend when it hosts the 42^nd Annual Lopata Classic.
 
The Bears, who reached the Sweet 16 last season, checked in at No. 10 in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25.
 
Where to Follow
All the Bears home games as well as all road UAA games will be streamed exclusively through FloSports.
 
FloSports is a subscription-based platform available on desktop, laptop or tablet. The FloSports app is available for iPhone and Android and is available through Roku, Samsung, Vizio, LG, Fire TV, Apple TV and Google TV.
 
To view pricing and sign up, click HERE.
 
Additionally, all home games will have live stats HERE.

42^nd Lopata Classic - Tournament Page
To open the season, the Bears welcome Bethany Lutheran, Gustavus Adolphus and Transylvania to the Field House for the 42^nd Annual Lopata Classic.
 
Lopata Classic Schedule:
Friday, Nov. 6
3 p.m. – #5 Gustavus Adolphus vs. Transylvania
7 p.m. – #10 WashU vs. Bethany Lutheran
 
Saturday, Nov. 7
2 p.m. – Consolation
6 p.m. – Championship
 
The last time WashU faced Bethany Lutheran was March 6, 2020 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, winning 102-68. Six years to the day, later the Bears hosted Transylvania on March 6, 2026 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, winning 82-47. WashU has played Gustavus Adolphus – which checked in at No. 5 in the preseason poll – just one time on the hardwood, in 1989-90, winning 71-64.

Schedule
Following the Lopata Classic, WashU hosts Millikin on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in the final home game of the first semester.
 
On Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22, the Bears hit the road to Ohio for Mount St. Joseph's Lauren Hill Classic. WashU takes on Hanover College on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. ET before facing the hosts on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. ET.
 
The following weekend, WashU heads out to Colorado for the annual All-Academic Classic. On Saturday, Nov. 28, the Bears play host Colorado College at 2 p.m. MDT, followed by a 2 p.m. MDT against UC Santa Cruz on Sunday, Nov. 29.
 
On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Bears make the short trip to Webster for a 3 p.m. game and close out the first semester at Illinois Wesleyan at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.
 
WashU opens 2027 at the inaugural NABC Division III Tournament in San Antonio, starting with a 5 p.m. game against Clarkson on Friday, January 1. The Bears will play either No. 12 Trinity or (RV) WPI on Saturday, January 2.
 
The Bears open UAA play at home on Saturday, January 9 against No. 24 University of Chicago at 3 p.m. which will be Youth and Campers Day.
 
The following weekend, WashU heads to Rochester for a 7:30 p.m. ET game on Friday, January 15 before taking on No. 4 Emory at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 17.
 
WashU hosts Brandeis on Friday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m., which will be HardyStrong Day and Alumni Day. On Sunday, January 24, the Bears host No. 23 NYU at 12 p.m.
 
Back on the road the next weekend, WashU heads to Case Western Reserve University on Friday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET and follow up with a 12 p.m. ET game at Carnegie Mellon on Sunday, January 31.
 
The Bears then return to the Field House for a four-game homestand, starting with Case Western Reserve University at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 5. WashU hosts Carnegie Mellon on Sunday, February 7 at 12 p.m.
 
On Friday, February 12, WashU welcomes Rochester for a 7:30 p.m. game which will be the Black History Month game. On Sunday, February 14, the Bears host No. 4 Emory at 12 p.m. for senior day.
 
WashU hits the road for the final three games of the regular season. First up, the Bears head to Brandeis on Friday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET. On Sunday, February 21, WashU heads to No. 23 NYU for a 12 p.m. ET.
 
The Bears wrap up the regular season at the University of Chicago on Saturday, February 27 at 3 p.m.
 
Personnel
WashU has a core group of returning Bears from last year's Sweet 16 team, including four seniors.
 
The senior class is made up of Ryan Cohen, Jake Davis, George Gale and Lucas Vogel. Returning for the junior class are Anthony Przybilla and Lleyton Thomas-Johnson and for the sophomores Jack Cubbage, Josh Kim and Theo Rocca.
 
Joining the returners are a talented class of first-years as well as two transfers.
 
Junior guard Rex Lamb is a transfer from St. Olaf College where he was an All-MIAC Honorable Mention and shot 48.1% from 3-point range. Graduate senior guard Coleson Messer played his undergraduate career at Division I Vanderbilt.
 
A group of five first-years join the Bears this season: guards Adrian Falayi, Ledger Kincaid, Lars Osteraas and Stryckland Whittley-Ligon as well as forward Barron Linnekens.

Statistically, Cohen and Przybilla are the top returning scorers, both averaging 10.8 points per game a season ago.
 
Head Coach Pat Juckem returns to the sidelines for his ninth year leading the Bears along with third-year assistant coach Patrick McGrail and longtime assistant Steve Wilcutt. New to the staff this year is Jack Ruhanen.
 
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Elevating scholar-champions requires resources beyond the institutional budget. Through the W Club, generous alumni, parents, and friends provide unrestricted support that is essential to the extraordinary WashU student-athlete experience—and the ongoing growth and development of the department. Annual support for Athletics allows the Bears to consistently rise to national levels of competition and ensures that our student-athletes enjoy exceptional opportunities as they train, compete, and lead. To make a gift to the Annual Fund for Athletics, please visit our secure online giving form or contact the Athletics Advancement Office at athletics@wustl.edu.