VERMILLION, S.D. — Eight total members of the Big Sky Conference and the Summit League have agreed to compete in a four-year men's basketball series, beginning with the 2026-27 season. In the first year of the series, South Dakota will take on the two Montana schools.
 
"We are excited to add these non-conference games for our men's basketball program over the next several years," said Athletic Director Jon Schemmel. "This series will align us with flagship and land-grant universities from other states that Coyote fans will be excited for us compete against."
 
Four teams from each conference will play one home and one away game against a participating member from the other league during each of the next four seasons. The series will consist of eight games per year and 32 total games between the 2026-27 and 2029-30 seasons.
 
"Scheduling is a unique challenge that we face year in and year out," commented head men's basketball coach Eric Peterson. "We are excited to add quality and recognizable opponents for our fans to our schedule with these Big Sky teams."
 
SUMMIT LEAGUE PARTICIPANTS

• North Dakota
• North Dakota State
• South Dakota
• South Dakota State

 
BIG SKY PARTICIPANTS

• Idaho
• Idaho State
• Montana
• Montana State

 
The series revives a four-year scheduling agreement between the two conferences which previously took place between the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons and continues a scheduling relationship after the current league-wide agreement which ends this year and was not renewed.
 
Below is the first season's matchups for the 2026-27 season:
 
Idaho at South Dakota State
North Dakota State at Idaho
North Dakota at Montana State
Montana State at South Dakota
Idaho State at North Dakota State
South Dakota State at Idaho State
South Dakota at Montana
Montana at North Dakota
 
Above is the scheduled plan for the rest of the four-year agreement between the participating schools.