GARY, Ind. — The Indiana University Northwest men's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with a veteran group of returners and a challenging 28-game schedule as the RedHawks look to make their mark in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Led by 10th-year head coach Javier Heridia, IU Northwest will rely on experienced contributors, including Romello Ali, Jamie Hodges, Amarion Johnson, Antonio Phillips and Trey Steinhilber, while preparing for a schedule featuring 14 home games and 14 road contests.
"We're excited about the opportunity ahead of us this season," Heridia said. "Our returning players bring valuable experience, and we believe their growth, leadership and commitment will be important as we continue to build our program. We know our schedule will challenge us, and we look forward to competing every night and working toward our goals in conference play."
Ali returns after averaging 10.4 points per game in 15 appearances during the 2025-26 season. He shot 45.3% from 3-point range, giving the RedHawks another perimeter scoring threat. Johnson provides an interior presence after averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 56% from the field. He also led IU Northwest with 52 blocked shots, averaging 1.9 per contest.
Phillips adds versatility on both ends of the floor. He averaged 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while appearing in all 29 contests last season. Steinhilber also returns as an experienced backcourt contributor after averaging 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. His 106 assists led the team, highlighting his role in facilitating the RedHawks' offense.
Hodges Jr. returns to the backcourt as the program looks for continued development and additional depth. Jaden Lee, Spencer Gail, Will Collins and Jordan Ireland also return, providing further options as IU Northwest builds its rotation for the upcoming campaign.
The RedHawks will open the season Oct. 23 on the road against nationally ranked No. 1, Grace College before returning to Savannah Center Gymnasium for their home opener against Andrews University on Oct. 29.
IU Northwest will continue its nonconference schedule with a road matchup at IU Kokomo on Nov. 4 before hosting Saint Ambrose University on Nov. 7. The RedHawks will then travel to Saginaw Valley State University and Rochester Christian University before returning home Nov. 18 to face Indiana Tech.
The November schedule also includes a home matchup against Saint Xavier University on Nov. 24 before the RedHawks close the month on the road at Saint Ambrose.
IU Northwest will continue nonconference play in December with home games against the University of St. Francis on Dec. 8, IU Kokomo and Goshen College. The RedHawks will also travel to IU South Bend and Judson University before the calendar year concludes.
CCAC play begins Jan. 6 when IU Northwest travels to Governors State University. The RedHawks will host Calumet College of St. Joseph on Jan. 9 before traveling to Holy Cross College on Jan. 13.
The conference schedule continues with home contests against Olivet Nazarene University and Viterbo University, followed by a three-game road stretch against Saint Xavier, the University of St. Francis and Calumet College of St. Joseph.
February will bring an important stretch of conference games, with IU Northwest hosting Judson, Governors State and IU South Bend before traveling to Viterbo and Olivet Nazarene. The RedHawks will close the regular season at home against Holy Cross on Feb. 20, with the contest also serving as Senior Day.
With a demanding schedule ahead and a core of returning players who bring scoring, rebounding and playmaking experience, IU Northwest will look to build chemistry early and carry that progress into conference play.
Stay up to date with IU Northwest Men's Basketball via social media at @iun_mensbasketball
