VICTORIA— The University of Victoria men's basketball team has added another NCAA Division I test to its preseason schedule, welcoming Oregon State University to the CARSA Performance Gym for a pair of exhibition games on Aug. 20 and 22, 2026.
Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 20 and 1:00 p.m. on Aug. 22, giving Vancouver Island basketball fans a rare opportunity to see an NCAA Division I men's program compete in Victoria.
Tickets are on sale now.
The matchups are part of a demanding preseason slate for the Vikes as they prepare for another run at a Canada West championship title.
"We are excited to see how we stack up against the size and athleticism of high-major NCAA teams. It will only help magnify any weaknesses and put into perspective what needs to improve for us to have success during the 2026-2027 season," said
Murphy Burnatowski, men's basketball coach.
Oregon State enters the 2026-27 season as a member of the reconfigured Pac-12 Conference and is undergoing a significant rebuild under first-year head coach Justin Joyner. The Beavers finished 17-16 last season and have added several high-profile transfers as they prepare for a new era of Pac-12 competition.
The Vikes, meanwhile, are coming off a 22-4 campaign that culminated in a bronze-medal finish at the 2026 U SPORTS Final 8 tournament. Despite that success, UVic enters the season with a new-look roster following the graduation of Canada West Player of the Year
Ethan Boag, Canada West Defensive Player of the Year
Geoffrey James and 6'11" forward
Sergio Pereira.
Among the returning players are seven local athletes:
Shadynn Smid,
Griffin Arnatt,
Dylan Gage,
Tyler Felt,
Justin Hinrichsen, and
Toren Franklin. They are joined by newcomer Cole Bekkering, who returns to his hometown of Victoria after spending last season at NCAA Div. 2 Biola University in La Mirada, California.
"Having a team come to Victoria gives our fans a chance to see our team play months before the regular season, getting to know the new faces while seeing how old ones have improved. Oregon State may be the most talented team we have played at home in many years, so it should be an exciting show for the fans as well."
The Oregon State series comes immediately after another major preseason opportunity for the Vikes. From Aug. 1-9, UVic will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, for the 2026 Baha Mar Summer Hoops League, where the team will face NCAA Division I opponents Texas A&M, Cincinnati and South Carolina.
The Vikes first test against U SPORTS competition will come Sept. 24-26 at CARSA when they host the annual
Guy Vetrie Memorial Tournament. UVic is set to match up against Concordia University, the University of Alberta and Lakehead University.
Season tickets and single-game tickets are available now.
