WATERLOO, Ont. - Coming off a tough season, the new-look Golden Hawks are preparing to hit the hardwood as the OUA announced the 2025-26 regular season schedule.  

The action begins on Friday, October 24 as the Golden Hawks, for the second straight year, start the season on the road, this time in Sault Ste. Marie against the Algoma Thunderbirds.  

The teams will play the second leg of the season-opening weekend the following day. The Golden Hawks swept the season series last year, and have won ten consecutive matchups.  

On Friday, October 31, the Golden Hawks are back in town for their home opener against cross-town rivals, the Waterloo Warriors, for the first round of the Battle of Waterloo.

The Golden Hawks have had the upper hand, winning 13 straight games and sweeping last year's season series. Tipoff is set for 8 pm. 

The next week starts Laurier's toughest stretch of the season as they host the Laurentian Voyageurs on Friday, November 7 at 8 pm.

The Golden Hawks fell to the Voyageurs last season, but have an 8-4 record when playing at home.  

The game marks the beginning of six straight against OUA East Division teams that gave the Golden Hawks all sorts of problems last year, with only one win against five losses. 

On Saturday, November 8 another northern team pays a visit to Waterloo in the Nipissing Lakers. It will be the 12th all-time matchup between the two, with the Golden Hawks holding a 9-3 edge despite dropping the game last season. The Golden Hawks are 4-1 at home against the Lakers.  

The Golden Hawks fly east for a four-game road trip starting in the nation's capital on Friday, November 14 when they meet the Carleton Ravens.

The Ravens have had the best of the Golden Hawks historically, handing them 24 all-time losses, including one last season. 

The next night does not get any easier as Laurier faces the 2024-25 Wilson Cup champions and U SPORTS bronze medalists, the Ottawa Gee-Gees. It will be a true test for the young Hawks at the midway point of the semester. 

On Friday, November 21, Laurier visits the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks. The Golden Hawks' single win against the Eastern Division last season came against Ontario Tech - and dramatically - taking down the #4-ranked team at the time.  

Laurier's road trip wraps up as they play the final East Division team in the Queen's Gaels. It is going to be another tough game as the Gaels were Wilson Cup finalists and qualified for the U SPORTS Elite Eight, eventually falling in the consolation semifinals.  

It will be a quick turnaround for a Wednesday night game on November 26 as Highway 7 rivals, the Guelph Gryphons, come to town. Guelph swept the season series, but the Golden Hawks are looking to snap the three-game losing streak when the match tips off at 8 pm. 

On Friday, November 28, the Golden Hawks face the Lakehead Thunderwolves at 8 pm in the final game of the semester. With Laurier's loss last season, they are 5-5 over their last 10 matchups.  

The Golden Hawks pick up the second half of the season with a Wednesday night fixture against the TMU Bold in Toronto on January 7 before coming home for a quick two-game weekend that starts six straight games against division opponents.  

First, the Western Mustangs come to the Athletic Complex on Friday, January 16, then the Windsor Lancers on Saturday. Laurier has won seven of the last 10 games against the Lancers after splitting the season series last year. Both games are set for 8 pm.

The Golden Hawks say goodbye to their home court for their longest road trip of the season of five games, seeing the Gryphons, Warriors, Mustangs, and Lancers to wrap up the West Division meetings. 

The final road game of the season will be in Hamilton where the Golden Hawks will look to take down the McMaster Marauders for the second straight year.  

The 2025-26 regular season winds down with a three-game homestand starting Saturday, February 8 against the Toronto Varsity Blues starting at 8 pm. 

The Golden Hawks will be looking to make Friday, February 13 unlucky for the visiting Brock Badgers before their Valentine's Day contest against the York Lions on February 14 at 8 pm which marks the final regular season game and Laurier's Senior Night to celebrate the contributions of the graduating student-athletes.  

"We have a job to do, and it's to be prepared to go out and win," manager of men's basketball operations and head coach Cavell Johnson said.

Golden Hawks men's basketball season tickets are available for purchase here, and single-game tickets are available here.