LSU to Face Four HBCUs in Historic Basketball Season
In a groundbreaking move that reverberates through both the sports and cultural spheres, LSU men’s basketball has officially announced its 2025-2026 non-conference schedule will feature matchups against four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Tigers are set to square off against Southern University, Grambling State, Florida A&M, and North Carolina Central — all programs with deep roots and proud legacies in Black college basketball.
This decision marks a significant milestone, not only in fostering competitive diversity but in spotlighting HBCU athletic programs on one of college basketball’s largest stages. LSU, a perennial powerhouse in the SEC, will open the season in early November against Southern University in what is being dubbed the “Capital Classic,” a highly anticipated intra-city matchup set to take place at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge.
The idea for the initiative was born from conversations between LSU’s head coach, Carter Reynolds, and Dr. Charles Willis, the athletic director at Southern. “This is about respect, visibility, and opportunity,” Reynolds said during the official schedule reveal. “We want to use our platform to elevate these programs and honor the traditions that have shaped college basketball for generations.”
Following the opener, LSU will travel to Shreveport for a neutral-site contest against Grambling State, offering a rare instance where a Power Five team visits a neutral Louisiana venue for an in-state HBCU game. The Tigers’ third HBCU opponent, Florida A&M, will bring its fast-paced, high-pressure defense to Baton Rouge in December. The final HBCU matchup will feature North Carolina Central — a program with multiple NCAA tournament appearances — in what analysts are calling a “sleeper game of the season” due to NCCU’s experienced roster.
Each of these matchups promises more than basketball. LSU has announced collaborative pre-game symposiums and halftime tributes that will honor the cultural legacy of HBCUs, including marching band showcases, student leadership panels, and special guest appearances from civil rights icons and former HBCU legends.
Critics who once questioned the competitive value of HBCU matchups are now paying attention. “This isn’t just symbolic. These are legitimate programs with talent, tradition, and toughness,” said ESPN analyst Avery DeLong. “It’s a win for fans, for players, and for the game.”
Beyond the hardwood, the significance of these matchups echoes across generations. For LSU junior forward Marcus Clayton, whose grandfather played at Grambling in the 1970s, the games are personal. “It feels like I’m walking in his footsteps,” Clayton said. “We’re not just playing games. We’re connecting stories.”
In a sport often dominated by blueblood rivalries and media hype, LSU’s bold scheduling choice offers something different — a nod to heritage, a platform for underrepresented programs, and a reminder that the game’s soul is found in its roots. As tip-off nears, the season’s message is clear: history matters, and the spotlight can—and should—shine on everyone.
