NAMPA, Idaho - The Northwest Nazarene men's basketball team will take the court for the first time in the 2026-27 season on Saturday as the Nighthawks host Walla Walla University during NNU's Homecoming weekend. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 PM inside the Johnson Sports Center.
The Nighthawks
Northwest Nazarene enters the new campaign following its second consecutive appearance in the NCAA West Region Championships. The Nighthawks finished the 2025-26 season with an 18-11 overall record and a 12-6 mark in GNAC play, tying Alaska Anchorage for second in the conference standings.
NNU's season came to an end with a 76-61 loss to Point Loma in the opening round of the NCAA West Regional after falling 87-75 to Alaska Fairbanks in the quarterfinals of the GNAC Championships.
The Nighthawks were picked third in the 2026-27 GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving three first-place votes and 80 total points. Defending conference champion Saint Martin's was selected first with six first-place votes and 88 points, followed by Central Washington with one first-place vote and 84 points.
Head coach Jon Hawkins enters his third season leading the Nighthawks after compiling a 55-29 overall record and a 38-16 mark in conference play during his first two seasons. His .704 winning percentage in GNAC contests ranks third all-time among conference coaches with multiple seasons at the helm.
Northwest Nazarene returns several players from last year's NCAA Tournament team, including Ethan Berninger, David Zhuang, Quincy Scott, and Briggs Ranstrom. The Nighthawks have also added several newcomers to the roster, including transfers Kyelin King, Andrew King, Jayden Smoot, Nick Corbett, and Michael Day.
Saturday's matchup will give the Nighthawks an opportunity to compete in front of their home crowd before beginning the regular season next week.
The Wolves
Walla Walla enters the 2026-27 campaign following a 1-25 overall record and a 1-19 mark in Cascade Collegiate Conference play last season.
The Wolves were selected 11th in the CCC Preseason Coaches Poll with 16 points. College of Idaho was picked to win the conference with 111 points and three first-place votes, followed by Eastern Oregon with 105 points and Lewis-Clark State with 103.
Walla Walla averaged 70.4 points per game last season while allowing 90.8. The Wolves shot 43.4 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from three-point range while averaging 35.5 rebounds and 13.3 assists per contest.
The Wolves return several contributors from last season, including Soren Dalan, Kieran Clasen, Jordany Fils-Aime, Kiearon Marshall, Rajdeep Singh, and Zeke Virtudes.
Dalan, a 7-foot senior center, returns to anchor the Wolves' frontcourt alongside the 6-foot-8 Clasen and 6-foot-6 Marshall. Walla Walla also welcomes several newcomers to its roster under head coach Tyreek Luckett.
All-time vs Walla Walla
The Nighthawks and Wolves have met in previous season-opening contests, including an 83-68 NNU victory during Homecoming weekend in 2023. Northwest Nazarene jumped out to a 46-27 halftime advantage in that matchup before securing the 15-point victory.
Homecoming Weekend
Saturday's contest is part of Northwest Nazarene's 2026 Homecoming festivities, welcoming alumni, families, and supporters back to campus.
The weekend's athletic schedule also includes the NNU volleyball team's matchup against Central Washington at 1 PM on Saturday.
The men's basketball game will feature the NNU Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony at halftime, recognizing the newest members of the university's athletics hall of fame.
Looking Ahead
Following Saturday's exhibition, Northwest Nazarene will host College of Idaho on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 PM in the first meeting of the United Heritage Mayors' Cup.
The Nighthawks will then open regular-season competition at the San Francisco State tournament, facing Fresno Pacific on Nov. 13 and host San Francisco State on Nov. 14. NNU will return home for its own tournament on Nov. 20-21, facing Cal Poly Humboldt and Adams State.
