Sharks Target Historic Home Streak in 2026-27
Nova Southeastern enters a pivotal season with a record home win streak on the line and a historic trip back to West Liberty.
The hardwood in Fort Lauderdale gleams under the arena lights, a polished stage for a team that has not lost a home game since February 2020. Nova Southeastern University men’s basketball has released its 2026-27 slate, a roadmap that begins on neutral ground in Huntsville, Alabama. Head coach Jim Crutchfield unveiled the plan on Wednesday, setting the stage for a season defined by historic benchmarks and high-stakes road trips. The Sharks are not just defending a conference title; they are chasing a national legacy etched into the record books of college basketball.
The season opens with a clash against Montevallo on November 13, a neutral-site contest that serves as a prelude to the real test. Two days later, NSU travels to face Alabama-Huntsville at SportsMED Arena. This is new territory for the Sharks, who have dominated this rival in recent years. Their seven-game winning streak against the Chargers includes three NCAA South Region Championship meetings. Now, they must prove that dominance holds up on unfamiliar floorboards, far from the comfort of their own gym.
Defending the Home Fortress
The weight of expectation lands on November 21, when Florida Tech arrives for the home opener. This game puts the 106-game home winning streak on the line. The streak stands as a testament to the team’s resilience, surviving the pandemic and shifting conference dynamics. Each victory at Rick Case Arena has been a deliberate accumulation of momentum, a steady march toward the all-time NCAA record of 129 consecutive home wins held by the University of Kentucky. The Sharks have 12 regular-season opportunities to close the gap on that historic mark.
The home slate is sparse, with only two non-conference opponents scheduled around the Thanksgiving break. Florida Memorial and South Florida Bible College will visit on November 24 and 25, respectively. These games offer a chance to build rhythm before the conference grind begins. The limited number of home dates makes each one critical, a chance to extend the streak and silence any lingering doubts about the team’s ability to close out games in front of a captive crowd.
A Return to West Liberty
The emotional core of the season arrives in West Liberty, West Virginia. Coach Crutchfield returns to the place where he spent 28 years, from assistant to head coach, before moving to Broward. The journey back is more than nostalgia; it is a confrontation with a rival that knows him well. NSU and West Liberty met in the 2023 NCAA National Championship, a 111-101 victory that cemented the Sharks’ dominance. Now, the script is reversed. They travel to West Liberty’s court on December 18 to face Point Park, before taking on the Yellow Jackets themselves on December 19.
Crutchfield acknowledges the difficulty of securing home games in recent years, a trend that has forced the team to embrace road challenges. The trip to West Liberty is a deliberate choice, a way to test the team against perennial national powers. It is a chance to prove that their success is not just a product of home-court advantage, but a reflection of their depth and skill. The road trip serves as a crucible, forging the team’s identity in the fire of away games.
Season Finale and Legacy
The regular season will conclude with a road trip to Rollins on February 27, a fitting end to a campaign that spans the breadth of the country. Before that, the Sharks host Barry for their final home game on February 24. The schedule is a balance of challenge and opportunity, a mix of familiar rivals and new opponents. As the season progresses, the focus will remain on the streak, the rivalry, and the legacy of a team that continues to push the boundaries of small-college basketball.
