Bears unveil 2025–26 schedule with UNC, Arkansas, ASUN finale

CONWAY, Ark. — Second-year coach John Shulman and the Central Arkansas Bears have officially announced their 2025–26 men’s basketball schedule, and it’s packed with Power Five challenges, regional rivalries, and a final run through the Atlantic Sun Conference.

The Bears will play 31 regular season games, 15 of which will take place inside the Farris Center. Their nonconference slate begins with high-profile road trips to North Carolina and Arkansas, followed by a mix of in-state matchups, ASUN crossover games, and postseason-caliber opponents.

Shulman said he’s excited about what the schedule will bring and emphasized how challenging it is by design. He noted that 11 teams on the schedule participated in postseason play last season and added that starting the year against top-25 opponents like UNC and Arkansas will be a valuable test for a group of newcomers.

The program is entering a pivotal season, its final one as part of the ASUN. Conference realignment is reshaping the mid-major landscape, but Shulman’s focus remains on development, culture, and positioning for March.

The early portion of the schedule will demand cohesion from a roster filled with returning leaders and new pieces, both freshmen and experienced transfers.

Non-conference gauntlet sets early tone

UCA will open the season on Nov. 3 in Chapel Hill against North Carolina, followed eight days later by a road game at Arkansas on Nov. 11. Both teams bring tradition-rich atmospheres and size advantages, putting immediate pressure on the Bears’ backcourt and frontcourt depth.

The home opener comes on Nov. 6 against Champion Christian, giving fans their first look at the new roster. Other key nonconference opponents include Louisiana Tech (Nov. 19), Tulsa (Nov. 26), and the I‑40 rivalry matchup with Little Rock (Dec. 3), which returns to Conway this season.

The SoCon vs. ASUN Challenge will add two additional early tests. Central Arkansas will host Samford on Nov. 16 and visit ETSU on Nov. 29. Both opponents finished in the top tier of the Southern Conference last season.

December brings a tough Power Conference stretch as well, with road games at Vanderbilt (Dec. 13) and SMU (Dec. 21) bracketing an important home game against Paul Quinn on Dec. 16. In total, the Bears will face four Power Four opponents before ASUN play begins.

Shulman said he believes the stretch will toughen his team and help define rotations before conference games begin in January. He added that the goal is to test the team in different environments early so they’re better equipped to compete in February and March.

Home stretch critical to ASUN tournament push

ASUN play begins on New Year’s Day with a home matchup against FGCU and includes 18 total league games. The Bears will face several teams twice, including Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville, North Alabama and Queens.

One-off matchups include road games at Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, and Austin Peay, and a home game vs. Stetson.

The regular season ends at home on Feb. 28 against Queens. That game could carry major seeding implications for the ASUN Tournament, which will be held March 3–8 in Jacksonville, Fla. Only the top eight teams in the final conference standings qualify.

Shulman emphasized how important the home environment will be for his group this season. He said having 15 games at the Farris Center gives the team a chance to build rhythm, and added that they need to make the building a true home-court advantage.

The February slate features five of the final seven games at home, giving the Bears an opportunity to peak late and gain momentum before postseason play.

Among the most intriguing home matchups are Jacksonville (Feb. 8), Bellarmine (Feb. 13), and Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 22). All three have been consistent postseason contenders in recent ASUN seasons.

Returning guards lead reshaped roster

Backcourt leadership will be essential, and the Bears return three key guards to steer the offense.

Camren Hunter, now a senior, brings SEC experience from his time with Wisconsin and familiarity from his earlier stint at UCA. Javion Guy-King, a 6-foot-6 junior, is a versatile wing who can defend multiple positions, while senior Rylie Marshall adds vocal leadership and toughness on both ends.

Newcomers include Rashad Bolden, a graduate transfer from McNeese and Mississippi College, who brings maturity and three-level scoring.

Freshman guard Jaylen Wilkerson also joins the rotation and is expected to play early minutes.

The frontcourt sees more significant turnover. Incoming freshman Truman Byrne, a 6-foot-10 center from Australia, gives the Bears size inside.

He’s joined by fellow Australian Harry Beauchamp, a 6-foot-5 wing, and 6-foot-9 forward Malchiah Marable, a high-upside freshman from Georgia.

Shulman noted in offseason interviews that the roster’s youth presents challenges, but also gives the program flexibility in how it plays.

He said the team’s length and athleticism should allow for more pressure on defense and open up transition opportunities.

Several of the younger players are expected to develop into major contributors by midseason, but the team’s early success will likely hinge on the experience of its returning guards.

Final ASUN season defines short-term goals

As UCA prepares to exit the ASUN after this year, the 2025–26 season carries added meaning.

There’s no margin for coasting — every win could be the difference between a top-four seed and missing the conference tournament entirely.

Shulman said the 2025–26 campaign presents a chance to show the program is moving in the right direction.

He believes the challenging nonconference schedule, combined with the returning core and an improving group of freshmen, will give UCA the tools to compete with anyone in the ASUN.

The Bears won’t be favored in many of their early road games, but the hope is those lessons translate into poise later in the season.

With experience, energy, and a tough schedule ahead, UCA enters its final ASUN run aiming to prove it belongs in the postseason conversation.

The journey begins November 3 in Chapel Hill.

Key takeaways

• Central Arkansas opens the season at UNC and Arkansas as part of a tough nonconference slate.

• Guards Camren Hunter and Javion Guy-King return to lead a mostly new roster.

• UCA plays 15 home games, including key ASUN matchups down the stretch.