RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Tech head men's basketball coach Mark Downey has announced that his program will be playing a pair of exhibition games against in-state Division I opponents, Little Rock and Arkansas State.
 
"We are grateful for the opportunity Little Rock is giving us to open our season," said Downey. "Coach Walker does a great job with his team, and this game will prepare us for the tough schedule we have in front us."
 
The game with the Trojans will be played at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock on Tuesday, October 28 with a tip-off time of 7 p.m. That will be a tune-up game for the Wonder Boys as they will officially open their regular season a couple of weeks later in Joplin, Mo. as part of the GAC/MIAA Crossover Challenge.
 
The exhibition contest with Arkansas State will take place on Tuesday, December 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. from First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro. That game will be a tune-up game for the program coming off the Christmas holiday break and prior to the resumption of their conference schedule when the calendar turns to 2026.
 
"We are excited to get to compete against Coach Pannone and his team (Arkansas State) before jumping back into conference play after the holiday," added Downey. "Coach Pannone has a very innovative basketball mind, and we are actually going to play very similar to his Arkansas State team.  I am grateful for the opportunity, and I think it will be a great test for us."