Colorado University Athletics
Buffs to Play San Diego State in Inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic
June 10, 2026 | Men's Basketball
November 7 showcase to be held at San Diego's Pechanga Arena
SAN DIEGO -- Sports San Diego today announced the game matchups for the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic, with the Colorado Buffaloes being featured in one of two games at Pechanga Arena on Saturday, November 7.
The men's game will feature San Diego State University against the Buffs, while a women's game will feature UC San Diego against the University of San Diego. Game times will be announced at a later date.
"It's such a privilege to be invited to play in the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic, which honors a true legend of our game," said Colorado head men's basketball coach Tad Boyle. "We're excited for the opportunity to play an elite program like Coach Dutcher's San Diego State Aztecs, which will be a great early season challenge for our team."Â Â Â
"We're excited to play Colorado in the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic," San Diego State men's basketball coach Brian Dutcher said. "Colorado is a quality program from one of the best conferences in college basketball. Bill Walton was such a San Diego icon and with Chris Walton having played for the Aztecs, this event is really a family affair for us."
It's been a busy offeseason for Boyle's Buffs, who have added eight key players to complement returners Barrington Hargress, Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, and Josiah Sanders. Season tickets are on sale now.Â
For further event information please go to www.billwaltonclassic.com.
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About Sports San Diego
Sports San Diego's mission is to ignite tourism and fuel economic growth by 1) bringing world-class sporting events to San Diego; 2) producing extraordinary experiences for fans, athletes, and the community; and 3) unifying and elevating all sports across the city to foster a vibrant, inclusive sports culture, enhancing San Diego's reputation and opportunities.
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About Bill Walton Foundation
The Bill Walton Foundation is dedicated to honoring Bill Walton's extraordinary life and legacy to inspire resilience, ignite teamwork, and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential. Guided by Bill's belief in the transformative power of sports, education, and mentorship, we invest in programs that build character, foster selfless leadership, and create inclusive opportunities — uniting communities as one team, ensuring every person has a coach and champion in their corner, and carries Bill's radical joy and optimism forward in the ultimate game of life. Bill Walton refused to let adversity define him. He saw no strangers — only teammates he hadn't met yet. The Bill Walton Foundation carries that truth forward.
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About National University
National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 150 online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 250,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University's new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.
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The men's game will feature San Diego State University against the Buffs, while a women's game will feature UC San Diego against the University of San Diego. Game times will be announced at a later date.
"It's such a privilege to be invited to play in the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic, which honors a true legend of our game," said Colorado head men's basketball coach Tad Boyle. "We're excited for the opportunity to play an elite program like Coach Dutcher's San Diego State Aztecs, which will be a great early season challenge for our team."Â Â Â
"We're excited to play Colorado in the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic," San Diego State men's basketball coach Brian Dutcher said. "Colorado is a quality program from one of the best conferences in college basketball. Bill Walton was such a San Diego icon and with Chris Walton having played for the Aztecs, this event is really a family affair for us."
It's been a busy offeseason for Boyle's Buffs, who have added eight key players to complement returners Barrington Hargress, Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, and Josiah Sanders. Season tickets are on sale now.Â
For further event information please go to www.billwaltonclassic.com.
Â
About Sports San Diego
Sports San Diego's mission is to ignite tourism and fuel economic growth by 1) bringing world-class sporting events to San Diego; 2) producing extraordinary experiences for fans, athletes, and the community; and 3) unifying and elevating all sports across the city to foster a vibrant, inclusive sports culture, enhancing San Diego's reputation and opportunities.
Â
About Bill Walton Foundation
The Bill Walton Foundation is dedicated to honoring Bill Walton's extraordinary life and legacy to inspire resilience, ignite teamwork, and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential. Guided by Bill's belief in the transformative power of sports, education, and mentorship, we invest in programs that build character, foster selfless leadership, and create inclusive opportunities — uniting communities as one team, ensuring every person has a coach and champion in their corner, and carries Bill's radical joy and optimism forward in the ultimate game of life. Bill Walton refused to let adversity define him. He saw no strangers — only teammates he hadn't met yet. The Bill Walton Foundation carries that truth forward.
Â
About National University
National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 150 online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 250,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University's new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.
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