Army vs. Navy: Men’s and Women’s Basketball Star Game Preview

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
Venue: Christl Arena, West Point, N.Y.
TV: CBS Sports Network

• The Tailgate: Long before the 11:00 a.m. tip-off, the energy begins in the parking lots surrounding the Holleder Center. The lots flanking the arena, alumni and parents’ clubs will host the tradition of “winter feedings”—massive tailgates where families and former graduates gather to fuel the Corps before the battle begins.
• The Hallways of History: As the crowds pour into the shared lobby of Christl Arena and Tate Rink, the atmosphere is one of a living museum. The rhythmic clatter of boots on the floor and the spontaneous cheers of the Cadet Spirit Squads greet fans as they pass under the banners of past heroes on the way to their seats.
• The “Pressure Cooker”: Inside, Christl Arena is designed for intensity. With no midshipmen expected to fill the visitor sections, the arena becomes a true West Point fortress. The steep seating bowl puts the Cadets right on the floor, ensuring that every Navy possession is met with a wall of noise that reverberates off the steel-beamed ceiling.

The Rivalry Renewed

The air inside Christl Arena tomorrow won’t be filled with the sound of a band or a drumline; instead, it will vibrate with the raw, unscripted roar of the Corps of Cadets. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder in their crisp gray uniforms, the Corps will pack the stands behind both hoops, creating a daunting wall of sound and movement directly in the line of sight of every shooter.

This isn’t just a basketball game; it’s a collision of the “Long Gray Line.” Saturday at West Point marks the most anticipated date on the home calendar: the annual Army-Navy Star Games. With families, alumni, and children filling the center stands and Cadets anchoring the ends, the men’s and women’s teams will battle for the coveted “Star,” bragging rights, and critical Patriot League positioning as the regular season reaches its fever pitch.

Women’s Basketball:

As the regular season nears its climax, Army and Navy arrive nearly neck and neck—just one Patriot League loss apart—setting the stage for a matchup loaded with urgency and high stakes. Army stands at 21-5 overall and 12-3 in Patriot League play, while Navy enters at 18-7, 13-2 PL.

Tip-off: 11:00 a.m. ET

What’s at Stake

• Star Series: The coveted “Star” looms like a living legacy in this rivalry, demanding to be earned through grit and tradition. Navy has been chasing its first Star Game triumph since 2018, while Army—its hands tightly gripping the prize after winning the last five at Christl Arena—aims to keep the Star firmly in Black Knight territory.
• Patriot League Supremacy: Navy can clinch the #1 seed and at least a share of the regular season title with a win.

Odds & Expectations

Men’s Basketball Odds (Feb. 21, 1:30 PM ET at Army):

– Spread: Navy favored by 4.5 to 6.5points, meaning oddsmakers expect a close contest—roughly a one- or two-possession game.

– Moneyline: Navy -205 to -266; Army +168 to +216- Over/Under: 139.5 to 144.5 points

Women’s Basketball Odds (Feb. 21, 11:00 AM ET at Army):

• – No widely reported spread, but the 2025-26 season series has seen Navy considered a slight favorite due to their record and recent head-to-head success.

• – Notably, this game is now viewed as even — neither team is clearly favored in this battle for first place, making it a true toss-up in the Star Series clash.

Revenge and Redemption:

Army will be looking for payback after their lowest shooting performance in Division I history doomed them in Annapolis on January 24. Guard Reese Ericson summed up the team’s mindset before tip-off: “We remember what happened down there. Nobody wants to feel that again—Saturday’s our chance to erase January’s nightmare in front of our home crowd.” Now, back at Christl Arena, the Black Knights have a chance to return the favor and leapfrog Navy for first place in the Patriot League. With the Star and the top seed on the line, expect a fired-up Army squad to set the tone for rivalry day.

Matchup to Watch:

All eyes will be on the backcourt battle between Army’s elite shooter, Reese Ericson, and Navy’s dynamic guard, Zanai Barnett-Gay. Both are among the league’s most impactful guards and will be critical to their teams’ success. Ericson’s three-point shooting could be a difference-maker if Army finds its offensive rhythm, while Barnett-Gay’s all-around game fuels the Mids.

Balanced Attacks:

Both teams are deep and versatile, with Army aiming to prove that their loss in Annapolis was an outlier caused by ill-timed shooting woes. If the Black Knights can execute offensively, they have the defensive chops to slow down Navy and reclaim the upper hand in the rivalry.

• Last Meeting: Navy ended Army’s seven-game win streak in the series with a 60-44 victory on Jan. 24 in Annapolis. Navy’s defense stifled Army, holding the Black Knights to their lowest shooting percentage in Division I history (27.4%).
• Army’s Defense: The Black Knights close ranks like a blackout curtain, permitting barely 56 points of light per game—the Patriot League’s top scoring defense (55.7 ppg allowed, 14th nationally). When they keep opponents under 59, Army is a perfect 17-0. Army is riding a 5-game win streak in conference heading into the showdown. 
• Navy’s Momentum: The Mids have won 11 of the last 12 games, a surge fueled in large part by Zanai Barnett-Gay, whose all-around impact (16.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.3 apg) has elevated the offense. Her 13-point, 13-rebound, five-assist performance against Army not only powered that key win but also exemplifies how her playmaking has been the driving force behind Navy’s late-season run.
• Three-Point Threats: Army’s Reese Ericson ranks 9th nationally in made threes (80), while Navy’s Zoe Mesuch leads her team from deep (35.4%).

By the Numbers:

Army’s offense averages 66.0 points per game while Navy leads with 70.2 points, and both teams post nearly identical shooting percentages, hovering around 42 percent from the field. On the glass, Navy has a strong edge in rebounding at 39.8 per contest, compared to Army’s 32.9.

Key Players

• Army: Kya Smith (13.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 54.1% FG), Camryn Tade (13.3 ppg), Reese Ericson (11.3 ppg, 42.1% 3PT)
• Navy: Zanai Barnett-Gay (16.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg), Zoe Mesuch (9.4 ppg), Kate Samson (54.7% FG)

Coaches

• Army: Katie Kuester (1st season, 21-5, a victory makes her the winningest first-year head coach in program history)
• Navy: Tim Taylor (6th season, 67-93)

Men’s Basketball: Army (11-17, 5-10 PL) vs. Navy (22-6, 14-1 PL)

Tip-off: 1:30 p.m. ET

What’s at Stake

• Star Game: The 145th meeting in the storied rivalry, with Navy aiming to extend a three-game series win streak. The coveted Alumni Trophy, a symbol of pride and bragging rights, last changed hands in dramatic fashion two years ago when Army stormed back from a 10-point deficit to stun Navy in overtime at Christl Arena. That heart-pounding finish remains fresh in the minds of both programs, reinforcing the tradition and stakes behind each Star Game battle.
• Trophy & Tradition: The Alumni Trophy is on the line as part of the Star Series, and the game will be played on the 106th anniversary of the rivalry’s first contest.

Storylines

• Navy has clinched the Patriot League regular season title and is 22-6 overall, led by senior guard Austin Benigni (17.8 ppg, 4.4 apg) and center Aidan Kehoe (15.5 ppg, 10.8 rpg, NCAA-leading 73.5% FG). During the January 24th meeting, the Midshipmen won 84-56.
• Army’s Upside: The Black Knights snapped a four-game skid with an 87-77 win at Loyola, showing their offensive depth with five double-digit scorers, including Ryan Curry (14.0 ppg, 4.6 apg) and Jaxson Bell (11.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg).
• Close Contests: Despite Navy’s current historic streak, recent games at Christl Arena have gone down to the wire, with two of the last three Star Games there going to overtime. With both teams hungry for this year’s Star, it wouldn’t be surprising if Saturday’s matchup delivers more late-game drama. Overtime could beckon again, setting the stage for another unforgettable finish.

By the Numbers:

By the Numbers: Army (11-17, 5-10 PL) vs. Navy (22-6, 14-1 PL). Army Offense: 65.7 PPG | Navy Offense: 72.4 PPG.

Key Players

• Army: Ryan Curry (14.0 ppg, 4.6 apg), Jacen Holloway (10.8 ppg), Jaxson Bell (11.6 ppg)
• Navy: Austin Benigni (17.8 ppg, 4.4 apg), Aidan Kehoe (15.5 ppg, 10.8 rpg), Donovan Draper (9.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.1 spg)

Coaches

• Army: Kevin Kuwik (38-55, 3rd season)
• Navy: Jon Perry (22-6, 1st season)

Fast Facts & Historical Nuggets

• Women’s Series: Army leads all-time, 45-41. The teams have split the last four meetings, but Army has won the last six Star Games.
• Men’s Series: Navy leads 88-56 overall and 26-11 in Christl Arena.
• Star Series: Saturday’s games are part of the 2025-26 Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA, with service academy pride and postseason positioning on the line.

2025-26 Army-Navy Star Series Standings

Presented by USAA

Current Star Series Tally: Navy 5, Army 4
The winner of the overall Star Series is the first academy to reach 13.5 points. With two “Stars” up for grabs tomorrow at Christl Arena, the lead is on the line.

How to Watch

• Both games air nationally on CBS Sports Network.
• Live stats and audio coverage available via the Army and Navy athletics websites.

Prediction & Outlook

Expect two fiercely competitive contests, with postseason seeding and the Star on the line. The women’s game features the league’s top defenses and the top offense in the conference (Navy), along with two of its brightest stars, while the men’s matchup pits Navy’s offensive firepower against an Army squad looking for a signature home win and a rivalry reset. As these future leaders take the court, the spirit of discipline, duty, and pride that defines the service academies will be on full display, reminding us that this rivalry is about more than basketball—it is a testament to the character and commitment of those who serve.

No matter the outcome, the intensity of Army-Navy will be on full display Saturday at Christl Arena.