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Dayton Daily News, Ohio
Wright State to host second Stars, Stripes and Flight Classic with Air Force
- Story byDayton Daily News, Ohio
- Wright State to host second Stars, Stripes and Flight Classic with Air Force
The second edition of the Stars, Stripes and Flight Classic will start the 2026-27 basketball season at Wright State.
The Raiders will open its season against Air Force on Nov. 2. The two teams are collaborating for the second time to produce the event.
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Wright State and Air Force played the inaugural Stars, Stripes and Flight Classic Nov. 30, 2024, at the Nutter Center. Wright State won 70-57.
"We're looking forward to setting a tradition by which we celebrate Wright State and our military service academies and the Dayton community. And this is a special, special game because of our long-standing relationship with Wright Patterson Air Force Base," WSU president Dr. Sue Edward said.
The game will be presented by the CareSource Foundation. The Big Hoopla will be present to help tip-off the season before back-ending the year at the three NCAA Tournament First Round games which will be held at UD Arena in March.
Wright State released more than 5,000 tickets to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base personnel on Thursday. The plan is for the remainder of tickets to go on sale to the general public in hopes of producing a sellout of the more than 10,000-seat Nutter Center.
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"Just the brand and what it can do for our greater Dayton community bringing in so many people that just love the area and all around the game of basketball," WSU head coach Clint Sargent said. "… It's nice just to see how, you know, sport can help drive connection, so I hope you'll join us."
The Raiders are the reigning Horizon League regular season and tournament champions. Wright State finished the 2025-26 season 23-12 overall and 15-5 in the Horizon League.
Air Force went 3-29 overall last season and 0-20 in the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons lost its final 25 games of the season.
WSU athletic director Brad Chandler said the game with Air Force will have an enhanced game-day experience. A VIP reception, pregame tailgating, inflatable kids equipment and new food options will be present. Chandler said more surprises will be announced in the weeks before the game takes place.
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WSU unveiled its Horizon League schedule on Sept. 10. The non-conference schedule has yet to be announced but all games are believed to be known except for a potential second exhibition contest and three opponents at the 2026 ESPN Events Invitational from Nov. 23-25 in Kissimmee, Florida.
Here's how Wright State's schedule looks at the moment:
(* - Horizon League opponent)
Oct. 16: Exhibition vs Bellarmine at Nutter Center.
Nov. 2: vs. Air Force, 7 p.m. at Nutter Center.
Nov. 6: vs. Florida Atlantic at Nutter Center.
Nov. 10: at Toledo.
Nov. 13: at Samford.
Nov. 17: vs. Central State at Nutter Center.
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Nov. 18 vs. Malone at Nutter Center.
Nov. 23: at ESPN Events Invitational.
Nov. 24: at ESPN Events Invitational.
Nov. 25: at ESPN Events Invitational.
Dec. 3: at Milwaukee*
Dec. 5: at Green Bay*
Dec. 9: vs. Cornerstone at Nutter Center.
Dec. 16: vs. Stetson at Nutter Center.
Dec. 22: at Miami, Ohio.
Dec. 30: at Cleveland State.*
Jan. 3: vs. Purdue Fort Wayne* at Nutter Center.
Jan. 6: vs. IU Indy* at Nutter Center.
Jan. 9: at Northern Illinois.*
Jan. 14: vs. Robert Morris* at Nutter Center.
Jan. 17: at Northern Kentucky.*
Jan. 21: vs. Detroit Mercy* at Nutter Center.
Jan. 23: vs. Northern Illinois* at Nutter Center.
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Jan. 28: vs. Cleveland State* at Nutter Center.
Jan. 31: at Purdue Fort Wayne.*
Feb. 4: at Oakland.*
Feb. 7: at Detroit Mercy.*
Feb. 11: vs. Green Bay* at Nutter Center.
Feb. 13: vs. Milwauee* at Nutter Center.
Feb. 17: at Youngstown State.*
Feb. 21: vs Northern Kentucky* at Nutter Center.
Feb. 24: vs IU Indy* at Nutter Center.
Feb. 27: vs Oakland* at Nutter Center.
