Panthers Unveil 2026-27 Men's Basketball Schedule
Terica Peay
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — A new era is taking shape for Claflin University men's basketball as the Panthers prepare for the 2026-27 season with a refreshed roster, an expanded coaching staff and a schedule designed to test the team from the opening tip.
Head coach Brion Dunlap enters his fifth season at the helm with a new-look Panthers team and a renewed focus on building chemistry early. Claflin will also welcome Marseillies Brown as an assistant coach, adding a new voice and perspective to the program as it prepares to introduce an entirely new roster.
Claflin opens the season Nov. 13-14 at the CIAA-PSAC Challenge in Charlotte, North Carolina, facing Georgia Southwestern on Nov. 13 and Lincoln Memorial University on Nov. 14. The Panthers then return to South Carolina for a Nov. 17 matchup at North Greenville University before opening their home schedule Nov. 19 against Bowie State University on Education Day, allowing local students to experience Claflin Athletics.
The home slate continues Nov. 21 when the Panthers host Lincoln University (Pa.) for Homecoming. Claflin will then travel to Hickory, North Carolina, for a Nov. 24 matchup against Lenoir-Rhyne University before continuing its non-conference stretch at UNC Pembroke and Shaw University.
Claflin returns home Dec. 5 to face Bluefield State University, then closes the first semester with back-to-back home games against Livingstone College on Dec. 17 and Fayetteville State University on Dec. 19. The Fayetteville State matchup will feature Toys 4 Tots and Youth Day festivities.
Following the holiday break, the Panthers open the new year Jan. 2 against the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. Claflin then begins a demanding CIAA stretch that includes road contests at Virginia State, Virginia Union, Bowie State, Lincoln (Pa.), Johnson C. Smith and Winston-Salem State, along with key home conference matchups throughout January and February.
Claflin will host Shaw University on Jan. 30 as part of the Paws Up Classic, beginning a February slate that includes home games against Elizabeth City State, Virginia State, Virginia Union and Johnson C. Smith. The Johnson C. Smith matchup on Feb. 19 will serve as Senior Day, allowing the program to recognize its graduating student-athletes.
The regular season will lead into the CIAA Tournament, scheduled for Feb. 23-27 in Baltimore, Maryland. With a new roster, a new addition to the coaching staff, and Dunlap entering his fifth season, the 2026-27 campaign represents a new chapter for Claflin men's basketball.
The Panthers will look to establish their identity early, build chemistry throughout the season, and compete for success when the stakes rise during conference play and the CIAA Tournament.
2026-27 Schedule
| Nov. 13, 2026 |
Georgia Southwestern |
Charlotte, N.C. |
CIAA-PSAC Challenge |
| Nov. 14, 2026 |
Lincoln Memorial University |
Charlotte, N.C. |
CIAA-PSAC Challenge |
| Nov. 17, 2026 |
North Greenville University |
Tigerville, S.C. |
|
| Nov. 19, 2026 |
Bowie State University |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
Education Day |
| Nov. 21, 2026 |
Lincoln University (Pa.) |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
Homecoming |
| Nov24, 2026 |
Lenoir-Rhyne University |
Hickory, N.C. |
|
| Dec. 2, 2026 |
UNC Pembroke |
Pembroke, N.C. |
|
| Dec. 5, 2026 |
Bluefield State University |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
|
| Dec. 10, 2026 |
Shaw University |
Raleigh, N.C. |
|
| Dec. 12, 2026 |
Elizabeth City State University |
Elizabeth City, N.C. |
|
| Dec. 17, 2026 |
Livingstone College |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
|
| Dec.19, 2026 |
Fayetteville State University |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
Toys 4 Tots - Youth Day |
| Jan. 2, 2027 |
University of Tampa |
Tampa, Fla. |
|
| Jan. 7, 2027 |
Virginia State University |
Petersburg, Va. |
|
| Jan. 9, 2027 |
Virginia Union University |
Richmond, Va. |
|
| Jan. 12, 2027 |
Winston-Salem State University |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
|
| Jan. 14, 2027 |
Bowie State University |
Bowie, Md. |
|
| Jan. 16, 2027 |
Lincoln University (Pa.) |
Lincoln University, PA |
|
| Jan. 21, 2027 |
Johnson C. Smith University |
Charlotte, NC |
|
| Jan. 23, 2027 |
Winston-Salem State University |
Winston-Salem, NC |
|
| Jan. 27, 2027 |
Bluefield State University |
Bluefield, W.Va. |
|
| Jan. 30, 2027 |
Shaw University |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
Paws Up Classic |
| Feb. 4, 2027 |
Elizabeth City State University |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
|
| Feb. 6, 2027 |
Livingstone College |
Salisbury, N.C. |
|
| Feb. 10, 2027 |
Fayetteville State University |
Fayetteville, N.C. |
|
| Feb. 13, 2027 |
Virginia State University |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
|
| Feb. 15, 2027 |
Virginia Union University |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
|
| Feb. 19, 2027 |
Johnson C. Smith University |
Orangeburg, S.C. |
Senior Day |
| Feb. 23-27 |
CIAA Tournament |
Baltimore, Md. |
|
Stay Connected
For complete coverage of Claflin Athletics, follow us on social media at @claflin_athletics (Instagram) or Claflin University-Athletics (Facebook), or visit the official home of the Panthers at www.athletics.claflins.edu.
About Claflin University Athletics
Claflin University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II institution that sponsors 13 intercollegiate sports. The university's athletic program includes volleyball; women's flag football; men's and women's cross country; men's and women's basketball; softball; men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field; and baseball. Claflin's teams compete primarily in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), while the baseball program competes in the Peach Belt Conference.
